And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (II Corinthians 9:8)

A couple weeks ago I was over at our daughter’s house hooking up a dishwasher for her. I’m so thankful that the dishwasher manufacturer allows you so much room to get to the inlet to where the supply water line is to be hooked up allowing at least two inches at the very bottom. (Yes, you’re right..that was a little jab at some righteous sarcasm on my part.) Anyway, with the help of my handy iPhone flashlight propped up and careful not to cross-thread the brass fittings, I finally finished the job. Now came the moment of truth when I would open the water valve allowing water into the dishwasher and for me to glory in my accomplishment. Everything was going great until, drip…drip…drip…I must confess I did get a little frustrated and blurted out a “d” word….Darn It! So, the only thing to do was to valve out the water once again, loosen the brass fittings and investigate what the issue might be  and what was causing the slow drips. What I found was rather humorous in nature. Earlier on the job scene, my nearly two year old grandson had made his way over to where “Pops” was working and wanted to give me a helping hand. At one point, I had to go out to my truck and get a certain tool. Unknowing to me while I was out, my little grandson had come over and stuffed three little “Fruit Loops” cereal pieces into the brass water line that I was about to hook up. When I opened the water, the fruit loops were actually blocking and restricting the water flow into the fitting which thus, was causing the slow drips. I had to immediately laugh when I found what the root of the problem was. I was finally able to remove the cereal pieces, hooked up the water line once again, opened the valve and presto! No leaks…Mission Accomplished.

For the believer, there are also different types of blocks that will greatly restrict and possibly cut off blessings from your life. Let’s take a look at just a few.

1. Unbelief Unbelief is the major blessing blocker. That’s why it’s imperative for you to know what the Word says and believe it enough to act on it. Unbelief comes by hearing just like faith comes by hearing. It’s dangerous to your spiritual health to listen to unbelief. Galatians 3:11 says, “The just shall live by faith.” That means believers are to live by believing what the Bible says. I believe far too many believers today are not seeing God move in their life the way He desires to and not receiving God’s blessings due to allowing church doctrine and man to interpret the scriptures as opposed to simply taking God at His word. We are never to place a question mark where God has placed a period. Isaiah 55:11 reads “…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.“
2. Unforgiveness (or being at strife with others) Ephesians 5:1&2 says “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” If you’re harboring unforgiveness in your heart towards someone or are at strife with them, this could very well be the reason why God is withholding blessings in your life my friend. You will never forgive if you wait until you feel like it. Choose to obey God and steadfastly resist the devil in his attempts to poison you with bitter thoughts. Make a quality decision to forgive, and God will heal your wounded emotions in due time. Furthermore, you cannot forgive without the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s too hard to do on your own. If you are truly willing, God will enable you, but you must humble yourself and cry out to Him for help. Jesus was very explicit also in His teaching about holding on to unforgiveness. He said “but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.“ (Mathew 6:15) Choose today to forgive and allow the channel of blessing to flow into your life.
3. Finances Did you know that one-third of Jesus’ teachings had to do with the subject of money. Jesus talked more about money that He did about heaven or hell, about relationships, even about faith. In Mathew 6:19-20, Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” In other words, Jesus is saying that there is fragility to earthly investments, as we are finding out all too well. Today, there are high rates of depreciation, identity theft and an unstable stock market. With that in mind, some people put too much “stock” in our financial system and “store up” all their money in what is essentially a big game of chance. I’ve witnessed so many people who fail to trust God with their finances in regards to tithing and not spending money where they do not have it and then wonder why God is not blessing them. Personally, my wife and I made a decision when we were married to tithe, tithe meaning tenth, to God. Before one bill is ever paid, we have always chosen to give to God what duly belongs to Him and He has always provided for our every need. The tithe, which is a scriptural mandate, was not instituted for God’s benefit because He already has all the money He needs. He does not need our money. Tithing was created for our benefit. It is to teach us how to keep God first in our lives and how to be unselfish people. Unselfish people make better husbands, wives, friends, relatives, employees and employers. God is trying to teach us how to prosper over time. In the Book of Malachi, God promises that if you do not rob Him of your tithing, He will rebuke your devourers and protect you. This, my friend will surely keep the channel of blessing open in your life as well.

These are just a few blessing blockers that I believe are of major importance in the life of a believer when it comes to allowing God to abundantly bless you in your life. My friend, If you are not experiencing God’s  abundant blessings in your life, don’t blame God or even the devil, We should always start by examining ourselves and asking God to show us areas in our lives that may not be pleasing to Him and causing His blessings not to flow in our lives as He so desires for them to.

For His Kingdom,