For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. Ezra 7:10

There are no formulas that one can follow to guarantee that God will bless and use us, but we can learn from Ezra some key ingredients in the lives of those God blesses and uses.

He prepared his heart; his heart, not merely his head.
He sought the Law of the Lord. The Law of the Lord is Old Testament shorthand for the Word of God. No one should expect to be blessed and used by God without a true commitment to seek the Word of God.
He resolved not only to know God’s Word but to do, or obey, God’s Word.
(See James 1:22-25)
He resolved to teach God’s Word. While everyone is not called and gifted to be a formal teacher, all believers are to speak God’s Word as we share Christ with those who do not believe, and counsel them.

Let us desire to be blessed and used by the Lord remembering Ezra’s example.