From the beginning, God enacted a divine plan to be with his people and to bless them. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, providing the unspeakable blessings of forgiveness, salvation, hope and everlasting joy.

We work for results and we measure success by outcomes. Driven to show ourselves qualified and capable, we run ourselves ragged trying to receive blessings. God offers a different path: living from blessing rather than for it.

Responding with blessings when you are treated poorly seems absurd–at least to those who live by the world’s standards. But in God’s kingdom, blessing those who curse us reveals the heart of our King.

We were created for blessing. Just as our heavenly Father blesses us, we are meant to bless our children. Passing down the blessing means conveying love and acceptance while also envisioning a special future for the next generation.

Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on our many blessings. We have an abundance of physical blessings, but scripture also reminds us of the many spiritual blessings God has “lavished” on us, including forgiveness, salvation, and more. Be thankful and count your many blessings.

One day, the promises and prophecies of Old will come full circle as God merges heaven and earth and makes all things new. We patiently endure and anticipate heaven because we know Jesus is “coming soon” (Revelation 22:20).

The true battle we face is not against an earthly empire or cultural paganism. It is against the dark forces behind these things. Through the most unexpected way, Jesus conquered evil. The final battle ends with the final outcome: Victory in Jesus!

The arrogance and violence of “Babylon” reveal the human condition. We are easily caught up in the appeal of worldly power even when we know it will not last. As someone has noted, our greatest challenge today is not necessarily persecution from the world but seduction by the world.

Faithful disciples of Jesus who bear his mark refuse to align with earthly powers. Our loyalty and our destiny are anchored in God’s kingdom, and we patiently endure as uncompromising witnesses in the world.

For most people, greatness means being on top, elevated above others. But Jesus came and redefined greatness according to the values of God’s kingdom. True greatness is not found in elevating self, but in elevating others above self.