Each Thanksgiving, my immediate and extended family gathers in our home, and we share a hearty meal together. But more than that, we have established a tradition where we stand together in a big circle in our kitchen, and each person shares something they are thankful for. I am reminded of these core memories when I consider being grateful all year long.
Far too often, when someone asks us what we are thankful for, our first thoughts are to list the material things we have been given: our families, our jobs, a car, or even the coffee we enjoyed on our commute to work.
And while these are all good things to give thanks for, I want to encourage you to consider the spiritual blessings God has provided for us.
So, what are these spiritual blessings? Together, let’s look at ten spiritual blessings every believer has been given.
10 Spiritual Blessings God Has Given Us
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
Ephesians 1:1-3, NKJV
The first thing we should be aware of is that it is God who blesses us with every spiritual blessing through Christ. May we remember there is more to materialistic things when we give thanks.
We Have Been Chosen (Ephesians 1:4)
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”
Ephesians 1:4, NKJV
Before the world was created, God saw you and chose you for His pleasure and purposes. Out of all the people in the world, He specifically chose you for such a time as this.
We Are Empowered to Be Holy (Ephesians 1:4)
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”
Ephesians 1:4, NKJV
God created you to be holy and blameless through Christ Jesus. When God looks at you, He doesn’t see the mistakes you have made; He sees your present and your future. Saint, you are holy, sacred, and without blemish.
We Have Been Predestined (Ephesians 1:5)
“Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”
Ephesians 1:5, NKJV
God made a decision ahead of time that He would choose you as His son or daughter in Christ! God already knew and settled the matter with the devil. But thanks be to God, He knew what you would do before you did it and no devil in hell can steal your salvation away.
We Have Been Adopted (Ephesians 1:5)
“Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”
Ephesians 1:5, NKJV
While we were not an original part of the Jewish race, through adoption, God brought us into his chosen family.
When God adopted you, He decided that the spiritual family you were in was not the best place for you to achieve every good work He has planned for your life, so He moved you to another spiritual family: His eternal family. We are eternally a part of the household of faith!
We Have Been Accepted (Ephesians 1:6)
“To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”
Ephesians 1:6, NKJV
Every person created will eventually experience what rejection feels like. (It’s not the greatest feeling!) But thanks be to God, He eternally accepts us as His children. When He accepts us, we are now endowed with the highest of honors as He extends His favor to us. And don’t you know, favor isn’t fair?
Some years ago, a few of our leaders attended Mega Fest, a festival in Dallas, Texas. While in town, they decided to go to The Potter’s House Church, where Bishop T.D. Jakes pastors, and check out their tour. Unfortunately, when they arrived, the guard at the gate informed them that the church was closed and wasn’t offering any tours for the day. So, the leaders from FBCG mentioned they were from “John Jenkins’ church” and the gates were opened and. the tour commenced!
You see when you gain God’s favor, He opens doors for you that are not supposed to be opened!
We Have Been Redeemed (Ephesians 1:7)
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
Ephesians 1:7, NKJV
God has paid our ransom through the blood of Jesus; we don’t owe anyone anything!
We Have Been Forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
Ephesians 1:7, NKJV
God freed us from the guilt and shame of our past. No matter what we have done, our sins have been forgotten.
We Have Been Exposed to the Mystery of His Will (Ephesians 1:9)
“Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.”
Ephesians 1:9, NKJV
There was a time when God’s plan was held in secret, but along came Jesus, and he unveiled the mystery of the gospel! We Gentiles have been made fellow heirs to His inheritance. Every spiritual blessing He gave to the Jewish church, He has made available to us as well.
We Have Obtained an Inheritance (Ephesians 1:11)
“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”
Ephesians 1:11, NKJV
An inheritance is a privilege.
When my children were younger, they each had chores they could do to earn an allowance. If they did their chores for the week, when Friday came around, they received payment. An inheritance is not an allowance in that you do not have to perform to receive it.
God has an inheritance for you simply because you are His child and no one can take it away!
We Have Been Sealed (Ephesians 1:13)
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
Ephesians 1:13, NKJV
No one can take away what God has given to us; we are sealed with His Spirit!
When you close on a piece of real estate, you will have a lawyer or a notary public present. Once all paperwork is signed, the notary has the responsibility of stamping the papers, proving that the sale is official.
Just like the notary, God stamps us with His seal! Your destiny is sealed, your future is sealed and your salvation is sealed. No one or nothing can take what God has given to you!
For more on spiritual blessings, check out Pastor John K. Jenkins, Sr.’s sermon, 10 Spiritual Blessings To Be Grateful For.