“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22)
The first mention of the blessing occurs in Genesis 12:2, when God blessed Abraham and promised to make him a blessing. God initiated the blessing, and the patriarchal fathers customarily extended their blessing upon their children before they died. (Genesis 22, 24, 26-28, 32, 49) “A blessing, when expressed by men, is a wish or prayer for a blessing that is to come in the future.” (Vine’s) “It is a divine gift that causes our work to succeed.” (Strong’s) In The Blessing, Gary Smalley divides the blessing into five elements: 1) meaningful touch; 2) the spoken word; 3) attachment of high value; 4) predict a specific future positively and 5) active commitment. In order for the blessing to be complete, all five elements must be present. Think about those in your sphere of influence- individuals God has placed in your life that possess a wounded spirit. God wants to use you to impart the blessing and bring healing to their hearts. You can be a Paul to a Timothy; an Elijah to an Elisha; a Naomi to a Ruth; or a Barnabus to a John Mark. One way to give the blessing is to ask the person to kneel before you (Genesis 48: 10&12); anoint their head with oil (I Samuel 10:1; 16:13); lay your hands on them (Numbers 27:18-20); pray God’s blessing on them from your heart as the Spirit gives utterance. You can also use the following scriptures in the blessing: Proverbs 23: 15,17,26; Philippians 1: 9-11; 4: 6-8, 19; Ephesians 1: 16-18; 3: 16-19; Colossians 1: 10, 11; 2: 6, 7; Genesis 49:28; 12:23; 28:1,3,4; 33:11; 27:28; Numbers 6: 24-26; 23: 19, 20; Deuteronomy 28: 1-4, 6,7,13,14; I Kings 2: 2, 3. Follow the example of Jesus. The last thing He did before ascending to heaven was to lift His hands and bless His disciples. (Luke 24:50)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Jesus Alone
“In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.” (Proverbs 12:28)
One of the most beautiful verses of Scripture is John 14:6, when Jesus declares: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me.” Jesus is the Way to a world that has no ability to reach God on their own; He is the Truth in a world that no longer believes in moral absolutes; He is the life for a lost and dying world, which apart from Him, will spend an eternity in hell separated from the Father. In spite of God’s redemptive plan, most people attempt to reach God in their own way, instead of trusting in the way: Jesus. “As for God, his way is perfect…For who is God, save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? (Psalms 18:30, 31) Jesus’ last recorded words from the cross were: “It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30) What was finished? God’s redemptive plan of salvation was finished. Jesus, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29), shed His blood so that we might receive the forgiveness of sins. (Ephesians 1:7) For without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. (Hebrews 9:22) “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3: 24-26) Are you trusting in Jesus and Him alone? It is His righteousness that has satisfied the wrath of God.
One of the most beautiful verses of Scripture is John 14:6, when Jesus declares: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me.” Jesus is the Way to a world that has no ability to reach God on their own; He is the Truth in a world that no longer believes in moral absolutes; He is the life for a lost and dying world, which apart from Him, will spend an eternity in hell separated from the Father. In spite of God’s redemptive plan, most people attempt to reach God in their own way, instead of trusting in the way: Jesus. “As for God, his way is perfect…For who is God, save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? (Psalms 18:30, 31) Jesus’ last recorded words from the cross were: “It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30) What was finished? God’s redemptive plan of salvation was finished. Jesus, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29), shed His blood so that we might receive the forgiveness of sins. (Ephesians 1:7) For without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. (Hebrews 9:22) “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3: 24-26) Are you trusting in Jesus and Him alone? It is His righteousness that has satisfied the wrath of God.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Showing Grace to Others
“A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.” (Proverbs 13:5)
God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalms 51:6) and desires our inward man to be renewed day by day. (II Corinthians 4:16) This new man must be put on “which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24) I often find myself expecting men who have no relationship with Jesus to have the same morals and high standards of integrity that Christians possess. I hate being lied to, and I detest hypocrisy. Because my life before Jesus contained both characteristics, it is easy for me to spot them in others. Instead of responding with grace and mercy, I sometimes respond with impatience- even anger. Since God was extremely patient with me when I played the fool, why then is it so difficult for me to overlook the faults of unbelievers? Part of the problem is overzealousness that comes with immaturity. God does not need me to defend Him or keep an account of the offenses and blasphemies committed by others. He will judge the wicked man and bring him to shame. God does not need me to be His policeman, blowing the whistle every time an injustice is committed against Him. My responsibility as a Christian is to live holy before men, love others unconditionally and serve the Lord with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. If we look down our noses at unbelievers they will sense it, and we will lose the opportunity to share Jesus with them. There is a fine line between hating the things God hates and hating the sinner who commits such acts: one that can be easily crossed. May we be men who give mercy so that we may also receive it.
God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalms 51:6) and desires our inward man to be renewed day by day. (II Corinthians 4:16) This new man must be put on “which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24) I often find myself expecting men who have no relationship with Jesus to have the same morals and high standards of integrity that Christians possess. I hate being lied to, and I detest hypocrisy. Because my life before Jesus contained both characteristics, it is easy for me to spot them in others. Instead of responding with grace and mercy, I sometimes respond with impatience- even anger. Since God was extremely patient with me when I played the fool, why then is it so difficult for me to overlook the faults of unbelievers? Part of the problem is overzealousness that comes with immaturity. God does not need me to defend Him or keep an account of the offenses and blasphemies committed by others. He will judge the wicked man and bring him to shame. God does not need me to be His policeman, blowing the whistle every time an injustice is committed against Him. My responsibility as a Christian is to live holy before men, love others unconditionally and serve the Lord with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. If we look down our noses at unbelievers they will sense it, and we will lose the opportunity to share Jesus with them. There is a fine line between hating the things God hates and hating the sinner who commits such acts: one that can be easily crossed. May we be men who give mercy so that we may also receive it.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
What Is Your "Delilah"?
“Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.” (Proverbs 7:18, 21)
Every godly man has a little of Samson in him: an area of great strength in which God has blessed him. Every man also has his Delilah that he must confront: a weakness that has the potential to cripple him and drain him of his strength. I heard Bishop T. D. Jakes preach that: “Delilah was anything that had the potential to bring you to your knees. For some men, it could be women, money, lust, power, possessions, pornography, etc.” The adulterous “Delilah” in today’s proverb attempts to entice her “Samson” with promises of sexual fulfillment and a sensual smorgasbord of pleasure. She is persuasive, flattering and has left many wounded men in her wake. She appeals to men to indulge in her pleasures, give in to their lust and act on their forbidden fantasies. Delilah is a poisonous snake and “many strong men have been slain by her.” (Proverbs 7:26) Samson’s weakness was women, but his greater sin was that he did not guard the source of his strength. In reality, he trusted his strength more than he trusted God. He became overconfident in his abilities and let down his guard. Godly men, Satan has a thick dossier on you. He and his minions know your weaknesses better than you do. Recognize your spiritual limitations, and allow the Holy Spirit to point out the “Delilah’s” in your life. Do everything in your power to avoid them.
Every godly man has a little of Samson in him: an area of great strength in which God has blessed him. Every man also has his Delilah that he must confront: a weakness that has the potential to cripple him and drain him of his strength. I heard Bishop T. D. Jakes preach that: “Delilah was anything that had the potential to bring you to your knees. For some men, it could be women, money, lust, power, possessions, pornography, etc.” The adulterous “Delilah” in today’s proverb attempts to entice her “Samson” with promises of sexual fulfillment and a sensual smorgasbord of pleasure. She is persuasive, flattering and has left many wounded men in her wake. She appeals to men to indulge in her pleasures, give in to their lust and act on their forbidden fantasies. Delilah is a poisonous snake and “many strong men have been slain by her.” (Proverbs 7:26) Samson’s weakness was women, but his greater sin was that he did not guard the source of his strength. In reality, he trusted his strength more than he trusted God. He became overconfident in his abilities and let down his guard. Godly men, Satan has a thick dossier on you. He and his minions know your weaknesses better than you do. Recognize your spiritual limitations, and allow the Holy Spirit to point out the “Delilah’s” in your life. Do everything in your power to avoid them.
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