Spiritual

THE BLESSING – Part VII – – “Breaking it Down”….


Spiritual Blog - Blessing

Numbers 6:22-27 – “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:  24 “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”‘ 27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”  NKJV

Let’s pick up where we left off yesterday and look at each aspect of this BLESSING from Numbers Six.  In this BLESSING there are Three Specific Statements and each Statement leads to and facilitates the next one in terms of emphasis.  If I just said:  “YAHWEH Bless & Keep You….” That would be enough!  BUT, then we build on that in the next statement and move on to the Grand Finale in the third statement.  Hang on to your hats, fasten your seatbelts, and let’s begin the journey.

FIRST:           THE LORD BLESS YOU & KEEP YOU…

“Bless” – – That’s the “Spoken Word” accompanied by the Power of God.  It’s the “Good Word”.  That “Good Word” was spoken by God and “channeled” through people usually through a “word” or “sentence” that painted a PICTURE!

Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about which is found so beautifully in The Twenty Third Psalm.  “The Lord is my Shepherd…. I shall not want… He makes me lie down in green pastures and beside still waters….”  THAT’S A PICTURE!  Sadly, in our English language that can sometimes be dull, we’d probably just say:  “It was peaceful.”  In the Hebrew, it is much more powerful!  “He makes me to lie down in the lush green pastures….”

THE BLESSING:

Many, if not all, are couched in pictures!  “The Blessing” was a word “spoken”, usually, if not always in pictures.  AND, that pictured the person being blessed as reaching their Highest & Best!  It is a picture of the Abundant Life Jesus spoke of and proposed for us.

I HOPE YOU SEE THIS!  God wills your “Highest” & “Best”!!!  He wills your “Fullest Potential” as a human being!  He wills you to come to complete fulfillment!  Therefore, “The Blessing” was just that pictured to the individual.  The speaker could see it and the hearer as well.  So when I “bless” you I am declaring that I not only desire, but “see” God’s Highest & Best for you.  I speak that by saying – “YAHWEH Bless You!”  I “see” you living at your “fullest potential” in the Covenant.  That’s how I picture you and that’s how it shall be through the Grace & Power of God.

TWO IMPORTANT WORDS:

                                                “Prosperity and Success”

These are two words that have caused such a stir in the Church World that it is almost mind-boggling.  I’ve seen Christians almost come to blows over their disagreement regarding these two words.  I want to say something here that some will accept and agree with and others will turn me off once I’ve said it.  THE BLESSING of Prosperity & Success did not begin in terms of “money”.  It began “within”.  It began on the INSIDE in the heart!

Originally, it was Prosperity & Success in your spirit, mind, emotions, body, and then certainly in everything that you touched.  BUT – – in that order!  You see Prosperity began with:  I’m prosperous in my “walk” with God.  I am rich/wealthy in my “walk” with God.  I am successful in “Walking with God.”  I have a prosperous mind!  My mind is wealthy!  I am very successful in receiving “divine enlightenment” to understand “divine truth!”  THAT’S BLESSING!

We would continue by saying – My Emotions are very prosperous.  They are “not” poverty stricken with anger, rage, bitterness, envy, jealousy, malice, greed, or corruption!  I am a rich person for I am “filled” with the Love of God, the Peace & Joy of God!  THAT’S BLESSING!

My Body is blessed!  My “heart” is very successful at being a heart.  My “lungs” are very successful at breathing.  My “entire body” is very prosperous at producing life!  My body functions to perfection because of THE BLESSING! 

THEN – – In that state, “whatever I touch” brings prosperity & success in the natural.  HEAR ME PLEASE!  A “prosperity” that is MONEY that is not “first” in your spirit is very dangerous!  The Bible makes that incredibly clear!

Proverbs 10:22 – – “The Blessings of the Lord makes rich, but adds no sorrow with it…”

I know that I’ve ventured into an area that some will struggle with.  I am not suggesting that God’s Sovereignty is in any way compromised in all this.  I am not suggesting that you can have everything including wealth and fame by just saying you have it.  I am not saying that there is not a responsibility on our part to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL THESE THINGS will be added to you.”  I am saying that it is GOD’S DESIRE to BLESS His Children with Abundant Life in every dimension of life.  “He wants us to prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2)

Let’s put this on hold for another day may God allow this to get into your spirit and cause you to “see”, truly “see” His Purpose for His People!  Realize that when you “link” His name to another human being you are asking Him to bring to bear His fullness into that person’s life and situation.  You are “linking” that person to the I AM THAT I AM and all He is.

May God richly bless and guide you through your day as you bask in the sunlight of His love, mercy, person, power, and grace!  More tomorrow!

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THE BLESSING – Part VI – – “In Action”


Spiritual Blog - Action

Numbers 6:22-27 – “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:  24 “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”‘  27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”  NKJV

As we pick up where we left off yesterday, I want to dig a little deeper into viewing THE BLESSING and the power of God released as this is declared in faith and obedience to the Lord upon His Children.

REMEMBER BALAAM?

It is a fascinating story in itself and worthy of careful study, but that is another topic entirely.  We are talking about Covenant and THE BLESSING of God’s Covenant!  The story of Balaam illustrates what we are talking about.

Balaam was one of the Top Witchdoctors on the River Euphrates.  He dabbled in virtually everything.  He went to the top of a high hill and attempted to curse Israel.  His predicament was that when he opened his mouth to curse a blessing came out.  He repeated all the BLESSING that had been given to Israel up to that time!  As I read it, I find it hilarious the way God works and completely frustrates the plans of the enemy and find it an incredible encouragement as to God’s determination to BLESS His Children.

Balaam turned to the king that hired him to “curse” Israel and said something that is astounding but powerful truth:

Numbers 23:19-20 – “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?  20 Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.” NKJV

This is one of the “key” reasons that I am so convinced that this truth is so important to the People of God.  It not only expresses God’s desire to BLESS His people but also, His determination to see the spoken blessing brought to fruition.  It is far more than a wish, a hope, a greeting, or a ritual.  It is a vehicle through which God’s omnipotence is released into our situation!  It has revolutionized my life and view of so many things spiritually.

For the people of God, this is something that they did when they “greeted” each other on the street.  That’s why I began the study with [Psalm 129].  In that Psalm, we find that they considered the “worst” thing that could happen to a person was that “no one” would say to them:  “The Lord Bless You!”  This is not an empty greeting that too many in today’s Christian circles use so casually.  NO!  They understood.  They understood:  We are BLESSED by God’s Covenant edict.  He has “commanded” the priests to “Bless Us Daily”.  Therefore, we can pass on that which we have been given and we will BLESS other members of the People of God.

I truly hope that this is getting into your spirit and you are seeing the “power” and “potential” of this in your daily lives, the lives of your family, and those you share the birthright of the Blood of Jesus.  My continual prayer is that God will enable me to use “words” in such a way as to convey this powerful truth so that the Holy Spirit can take them and bring “revelation” and “enlightenment” to you and thereby TRANSFORM your entire view spiritually!  I want each of us to “live” the ABUNDANT LIFE that Jesus promised and purposed for His children!

Tomorrow we will begin breaking down Numbers Chapter Six so that you can see the power of each part of THE BLESSING and I believe it will propel you toward a higher plane spiritually.  That, at least, is my desire and goal.

Until then, may the Lord richly bless you, may His grace embrace you, and His Spirit guide you in all that you say and do!  Have a fantastic day of worship and fellowship!

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THE BLESSING – Part V – – “The Word of Blessing”


Spiritual Blog - Blessing

Numbers 6:22-27 – – “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:  24 “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”‘ 27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”  NKJV

 

Picking up where we left off yesterday we will continue looking at THE BLESSING connected to speaking it to another.  THE BLESSING was always given with a WORD!  It is sometimes translated or understood as speaking of a Good Word.   Therefore, to BLESS is to speak a Good Word!  That is the picture of Numbers Six.  The Priest after the Morning Sacrifice would hold up his hands before the people and give THE BLESSING!

That was a spoken word, and I say that to emphasize that it is not just a wish or an attitude or a ritual.  I cannot BLESS you with a wish!  I cannot BLESS you through a ritual or form. NO! NO!  It is “always” a premeditated word!

WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT?

I’ve thought about it!  I’ve considered you!  You are a worthy, significant person, a person of great value.  Inside I acknowledge that I am “bowing”.   I am going to “speak” this word and I have weighed it carefully.  I know what I am saying.  I say it out of the depths of my heart.  I now release it through my lips and speak it!  And, I speak it with “emphasis” and “understanding”.  I am, in a very real sense, TRANSMITTING something to you in words!  I speak to you a Good Word!

In the Bible – – I know this is not consistent with most Western thinking, but we need to understand this because we are the People that belong to the Bible.  In the Bible, it was ALWAYS looked upon as something TANGIBLE!  When those words came out of their mouths something of substance was released.  When you say, “I Bless You” in the biblical sense of the word – – SOMETHING HAPPENS!

LITERALLY in the Spirit Realm there is going forth from me… not empty words, but a real power of God attending to those words to bring to pass the intent of the words I have spoken.  IT IS VERY REAL!  That is difficult for most of us to “wrap our minds” around but if you will study it you will understand and it will release something in you that is liberating and powerful!

N O T E:

A Blessed Person is someone who has received a “Good Word” and that “Good Word” attended by the “Power of God” will bring you to the goal of that Word!

EXAMPLE:

Remember Esau – – When he did not get “Blessed” by his father as expected.  He went to his father in tears.  Obviously, this wasn’t just dear old dad saying:  “Well, God Bless You Son.”  He goes in tears “begging” his father:  “Don’t you have another Blessing for me?”  Isaac said:  “I’m sorry….”  If it were just “words”, “ritual”, “routine”, or “expressions”, Isaac would have said something to him but it was much more than that so HE COULD NOT!

DO YOU FOLLOW THAT?  This is not something to “trifle” with.  It is not just “words” to be loosely thrown around.  ISAAC actually “transmitted” something to JACOB in THE BLESSING!  His words were attended by the “Power of God.”  It is being brought to pass by the Power and Energy of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, BLESSING is far more than an empty wish.  In fact, in the New Testament, I hear the idea echoed in Philippians 2:12-13 – “For it is God who works within you, both to will and do of His Good Pleasure.”

The word, “do” or “work” is ENERGIA!  It is the very energy, the stimulation of God Himself.  It is GOD who “energizes” within you both to “will” and “energize” His Good Pleasure.  I HOPE YOU GET THIS!!!  God didn’t just speak the Gospel to Us.  It is a GOOD WORD that comes with the Power of God, and He, in His “energy” shall carry it to its fulfillment – – THE BLESSING!

DO YOU SEE IT?  Once God has started His Work!  Once a Blessing has been given it cannot be stopped by man or hell.  Only God can stop it!  He gave it, man is simply the channel or vehicle – – But God is the source and the only one that can see it through to completion or stop it!  So as you speak “words of Blessing” NEVER speak them lightly or casually, they are words of Power and Energy of God!  To be given at His direction and to whom He has chosen to thus BLESS!

As you enjoy your week know that you are People of the Bible and in the Bible, it is revealed that it is God’s desire to BLESS HIS PEOPLE!  And, you are “His People”.  May you walk in the abundant fullness of His Blessing every day of your lives!  We have to stop here and pick up tomorrow.  We will look at some examples and take this another step forward.  Hopefully, this is of blessing and benefit to you.  If it is let me know and we will continue!

God Bless You is my genuine desire and prayer!

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THE BLESSING – Part IV – “Speaking the Blessing”


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Numbers 6:22-27 – “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:  24 “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” 27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”  NKJV

 

As we continue this fascinating journey in looking at COVENANT and THE BLESSING of Covenant we come to a very important element.  To the Hebrew this was not just “words”, not just a “benediction”, not just a “ritual”, and certainly not just something that was said as a meaningless part of a time of worship.  It was life and death.  It was success and failure.  It was a vital aspect of their lives and something that understood and comprehended its importance and impact on their lives and the lives of those around them.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

The Priests were to Bless the people.  We are talking about human beings and this is where, for me, it gets “very exciting”!  Human beings have been appointed and commissioned by God to be the vehicles or channels through with ALL the He is shall actually be TRANSMITTED and PLACED upon people.

“The Lord” – YAHWEH is the key here.  It was repeated three times.  The priests were to say:  “Yahweh Bless You.  Yahweh, cause His Face to shine upon you.  Yahweh lift up His countenance upon you….”

PLEASE UNDERSTAND:

“Grammatically” in the Hebrew, you do not have to do that!  The second/third Yahweh is not necessary, grammatically speaking.  Therefore, they are saying this for EMPHASIS!  It is to “emphasize” that it is GOD who is “Blessing You”.  It is His initiative that He will Shine His Face upon you!  It is His CHOICE and DESIRE to do this for you a human being!

I want to be very clear – – Human beings are doing this!  Human beings are saying this!  BUT in their saying it, they are saying it “Wholly from God”.  We simply the “channels” through which this flows!  We are not “witchdoctors” who have concocted some spell.   We are those who are saying:  “It is the God of Heaven – – YAHWEH who will bless you!”  It is here that I stand in absolute awe!  By nothing, I have done.  By nothing, I will ever do.  Only because God “wills” to do it – – HE BLESSED AND BLESSES US!

Ephesians One – – Sadly, much of the church have taken this and made it a theological study about election and predestination and as a result have made it drier than last year’s corn shucks.

BUT, when Paul wrote Ephesians One – – He was prostrate before God “weeping” before the King of the Universe saying, “I can’t believe it!  I can’t believe it!  That He of His own Free Will…. For no reason found in whatsoever…. With no answer as to why…. God has BLESSED US!  Let that sink in and get in your spirit!  It will begin to “transform” your entire outlook on life and the things of God.  Think about it!  God has decided of His Own Free Will to LAVISH upon us His Kindness.  I BLESS you, but I say it three times because I want you to fully understand that it is GOD who is blessing!

THE WORD BLESS:

Is a remarkable word and well worthy of consideration!  It is one of the smallest words in the Bible and yet one of the most frequently used by believers.  Yet, it is one of the biggest words in the Hebrew language, in terms of what it means!

BLESS – – The root foundation means “to bow the knee”.  It was used in Hebrew to describe the kneeling of a camel when it received its burdens.

I HOPE YOU ARE FOLLOWING ME!  That’s the idea of the word – – to “kneel down”, but not to grovel as a slave!  It is “bowing down” before a person because you recognize that this person is of “Great Worth”, “Value”, and “Significance”.  It means that ONLY “valuable”, “worthy”, “significant” people are to be BLESSED.  It means that you have been “designated” by God as a valuable, worthy, significant person and are to be BLESSED!  As I type my spirit is leaping inside of me with rejoicing at this very thought and the overwhelming love God has for His people!  I hope that you can begin to receive this into your spirit and realize that no matter what has happened in your life.  No matter what your failures may have been.  No matter what you have been told or how you may have been abused.  God sees you, through the BLOOD OF JESUS as valuable, worthy, and significant and His desire is to BLESS you!  If that doesn’t make you shout then I probably should just stop here and say no more!

We must put the next part on hold until tomorrow due to space!  It is my genuine desire that you begin to realize that The Father considered you worth the Blood of Jesus!  Can you comprehend what that means?  May your day be smooth sailing and may every obstacle placed in your path encounter the divine power of the Spirit of God as He fights for you and guides you into all truth!

I Bless you in the Name of the Lord!

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THE BLESSING – Part III – “The Name of God”


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Numbers 6:22-27 – “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: 24 “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” 27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”  NKJV

Picking up where we left off in the last devotional regarding “linking” God’s Name to a human being there are some things that are very germane to our discussion that I want to address here:

In the Bible, the term “name” speaks of the fullness of a Person’s Character.  It is a revelation of “who” they are and “reveals” their character.  This is why we see “name changes” in the Bible because “character” changed.  Here in the Western World, a “name” is just something we call someone to identify them and not necessarily a reflection of “who they are” or their “character”.  We frequently go for novelty, honoring a parent or grandparent or it reflects a particular preference on the part of the parents.

HOPEFULLY, THAT MAKES SENSE!  The “Name” of God means the FULLEST  OR MOST COMPLETE REVELATION of His Character!  It is WHO God is in His essential being!  Thus, to “Bless” is to “put” God Name upon a person.  To “Bless” is to “link” God’s name with human beings!

It is to bring into this Company of People a “revelation” of “Who God Is!”  If you want to know “Who God Is” – – you look at the person who has been “blessed”.  There has been a “revelation” of GOD’S CHARACTER in that person, THEY ARE BLESSED!  They manifest Him!

Therefore, as a result, that person or Company of People have, become the arena in which God plays out “Who He Is”.  THEY ARE BLESSED!  They demonstrate to the world the “Character of God”.  THAT’S BLESSING!

2 Samuel 7:23 – “And who is like Your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name — and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land — before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods?” NKJV

NOW THE QUESTION?  You have heard the expression “make a name for yourself”, right?  That results when a person has won his place in this world.  He has demonstrated his powers, talents, and abilities.  He has a name a reputation!

2 Chronicles 7:14 – – The People of God are called “My people who are called by My Name…” 

We Christians are the People of God who are called by His Name.  I’m not neglecting Israel but I am addressing followers of Jesus Christ!  CAN YOU SEE IT?  When you think of these people you immediately think of their revelation of God’s Character!

Isaiah 63:19 – Those who are not in the People of God are called those who are not called by His Name.

Therefore, we are the Blessed People.  You and I, in Christ Jesus are children of the Most High God through the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross and His shed blood.  We have called on the Revelation of God’s Character that came to us in Jesus Christ.  AND, as we called on His Name – – He placed His Name “in us”.  NOW, there is a revelation in us of what kind of God He really is and who He really is!

We will get to the “speaking” of the Blessing next time, but I hope you will allow what I’ve said thus far sink in.  Mediate on it!  Muse on it!  Examine it!  Evaluate it!  Run in through your grid of understanding in Scripture!  As you go through your day go through it with the knowledge that you are BLESSED and what it means to be BLESSED.  In you is the very character of God.

May your day be filled with glorious opportunities and fellowship with Him through the Holy Spirit!

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THE BLESSING – The Understanding….


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Psalms 129:5-8 – “Let all those who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned back. 6 Let them be as the grass on the housetops, Which withers before it grows up, 7 With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor he who binds sheaves, his arms. 8 Neither let those who pass by them say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you; We bless you in the name of the LORD!” NKJV

In our introduction, we opened the door to an incredible study and now it is my desire to dig a little deeper.  It is important to note that the entire Psalm is spoken against the enemies of the People of God.  In verse five we see:  “May all who hate Zion be put to shame.”  To the Hebrews that is the finale of the terrible things that happen to those who oppose the People of God.  There is nothing worse than this, to the Hebrew, in Scripture!

Psalm 129:8 – “Nor do those who pass by say.  The Blessing of the Lord be upon you.                                         We Bless you in the Name of the Lord.”

HEAR THIS CAREFULLY!  To an Israelite that was the pinnacle of being a Person in the People of God.  When you met another person of the People of God, they would respond to you:  “The Blessings of the Lord be upon you.”  We Bless you in the Name of the Lord.”  To the Hebrew, the worst possible thing/state would be to be outside the People of God and no one says:  “The Blessing of the Lord be upon you…”

CONSIDER THIS PLEASE:

 To our Western minds, that doesn’t seem like such a big deal.  So what?  It’s just a greeting.  NO! NO! NO!  It is much more than that.  That is why I find this such a fascinating subject.  My objective is to show you what it means to walk in the Blessings of the Lord!

Numbers 6:22-27 – “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: 24 “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”‘ 27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”  NKJV

THE BLESSING – – In a very real sense, this is the subject” of Scripture.  Actually, covenant is the subject, but ALWAYS attached to the covenants is THE BLESSING!  The Blessing is where the covenant goes into action!  I am convinced we can receive the Gospel, and enjoy the benefits of the Gospel but we will NEVER understand the Gospel and thereby walk in its fullness UNTIL we understand BLESSING!

LET’S GO BACK TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN:

What was the first thing that God did when He created man?  He BLESSED him!  That was the first item on God’s agenda when He created Adam.  Likewise, in every covenant, you will find somewhere in that Covenant the appendage of BLESSING!

THAT DEMANDS FURTHER EXPLANATION:

What do we mean?  What are the basics?  Just what do we mean when we use the term BLESSING?  Let me explain what I mean in as much detail as time and space will allow.  I fully believe that if we really understand this – – It will transform our lives in a revolutionary way!

Numbers 6 – – “They shall “invoke” My Name on the Sons of Israel, and then I                                                      will Bless them.”

This is vital!  BECAUSE ONLY GOD CAN BLESS!  The Priests were to bless the People, but God said:  “When you thus Bless, then I will Bless…”  MAN cannot communicate Blessing, in the ultimate sense (that gets into witchcraft).  BUT – Humans do bless other humans!  The Priests are doing that here.  BUT, they can ONLY bless other humans with GOD’S BLESSINGS!  Therefore, God Blesses us and then we can pass that blessing on to others.  BUT, we cannot pass it on to everybody!  We can ONLY pass it on to those who fall in within the scope of “God’s Direction”.  Therefore, we are limited!  Only God can truly Bless!

I HOPE THAT YOU RECEIVING AND COMPREHENDING WHAT I AM ATTEMPTING TO COMMUNICATE!  God started this not man!  Man can pass that blessing on within God’s parameters.  It is a Blessing that comes from God and is ordered by God!

INVOKE – – is used in different versions in different ways.  “Put” [KJV], “Call Down”, “Link My Name”.

DO YOU GET THE IDEA?  The Blessing is the linking of God’s Name to a human being.  It is the calling down of God’s Name upon a Person!  THAT IS IMPORTANT!  If we get this foundational understanding regarding THE BLESSING we will discover our sessions that follow will be much more beneficial and rewarding as well as challenging and enlightening.

I want to pause here and pick this up again tomorrow and consider what the NAME OF GOD means to us with regard to Blessing and Life!  May the Lord guide you through your day and make it a special and blessing filled day for you!

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THE BLESSING – (Continued)…


Spiritual Blog - BLESSINGS

Numbers 6:24-26 – “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”‘  NKJV

 

This is one of the most powerful passages in the Bible!  When it was spoken upon the people by the priest it was spoken with anticipation of action on the part of God.  It wasn’t worded, as too many Christians use the words “Bless You” without truly anticipating the active participation and action of the Lord.  This was a blessing spoken with the full anticipation that God would, in fact, perform His word and act in a positive manner as this was spoken.  It was spoken in “faith” and “anticipation” that the Holy Spirit would immediately, continually, and actively move to bring it to pass in the lives of those to whom it was spoken.

Sadly, too many in the Christian realm use the words “bless you” without real thought given to it.  We ask people, “How are you doing?” without really wanting to know.  It is something we have grown accustomed to saying, but not so for those speaking these words and those hearing these words.  They fully believed that there was a release of power from God Himself when these words were spoken.

Consider what is being said:

  1. The LORD bless you and keep you. Not just anybody but GOD Himself.  He is the blesser.  He is the only one that can truly initiate a blessing and from Him all blessings flow.  So this is a word spoken to bring enrichment into the lives of the hearers and is, in fact, a prayer as well as a declaration.
  2. The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. Again, GOD Himself turning His face toward the hearers and shining upon them.  The picture would be that of a parent who is so proud of their children that their face is literally beaming with pride and joy.  The desire is that God would not only be pleased with His children but extend to them His abundant Grace which is more than unmerited favor it is enduement with the power to accomplish His purposes and deal with whatever situation they are encountering.
  3. The LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you Peace. GOD Himself looking for you in the crowd.  God’s eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth desiring to show Himself strong on behalf of His children.  This is the desire here.  Further that He would grant them “Shalom” more than peace but power. 

This is not a casual benediction for a church service but a desire for GOD to move actively on the behalf of the hearer and bring His entire person into their lives and situation.  It is invoking the name of the LORD upon them and all that He is!  It is calling the Divine into the present and expecting the miracles of GOD to be released upon His people.  The saddest thought that a Hebrew could have would be that there would be nobody to say these words to him or her.  So, when I say “The Lord Bless You” I am not saying words, I am expecting GOD to actively move on your behalf and do WHATEVER is needed to bring you that which you need at that moment in time!  It is spoken as a declaration but even more as a prayer that the LORD bring all heaven into your situation and do whatever is required to guide you, guard you, and bring grace to you.  So I conclude by saying – “The LORD Bless you richly on this day!”

May this day find you basking in the warmth of His Love and Favor.  Have a Fantastic Sunday in Him!

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THE BLESSING….. Incredible Truth For All Believers.


Spiritual Blog - The Blessings

Psalms 129 – “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth, “Let Israel now say —  2 “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed on my back; They made their furrows long.” 4 The LORD is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked. 5 Let all those who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned back. 6 Let them be as the grass on the housetops, Which withers before it grows up, 7 With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor he who binds sheaves, his arms. 8 Neither let those who pass by them say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you; We bless you in the name of the LORD!”  NKJV

Blood Covenant as taught in Scripture is one of the most powerful and eye-opening studies I have ever done.  I can honestly say that the years I have spent studying this subject has transformed my life, my view of relationships, and deepened my desire to “walk” in COMPLETE HARMONY with GOD.  I want my life to be “Spirit-led” in all that I do and all that I say.  It is more than a desire it is a passion and a life-long pursuit.

We face, what I believe is the most critical time in human history and from that perspective, it is my deep conviction that it is not just important but “vital” that believers reach the place that they “see”, “understand”, and “walk in” Covenant!  It is crystal clear to me that the Church that Jesus is coming back for is a fully mature, fully developed, fully equipped, and fully committed body of believers.  Therefore, “if” the Church, the Body of Christ is ever going to “be” what Jesus called us to be, we MUST become “Covenant People.”

PLEASE KNOW THIS:

I am not talking about God becoming our Santa Claus, candy store, mail order catalog, or wish provider – a Genie!  I am talking about TOTAL CHRISTIANITY!  I am talking about being “completely complete” and “fully mature” believers who are MANIFESTING Jesus here on Earth!  I believe that is “only” realized through COVENANT!  It is God on His Throne in our lives and in His universe and man “totally” submitted (out of genuine love) to His divine will and purpose IN ALL THINGS!  It is life in the “supernatural” as the “natural.” 

NOTE:

I embark on this study at the request of several people and say upfront that everyone may not agree.  I also want you to understand that it is impossible to cover this subject in a few posts.  It will take some time.  So hopefully you will be touched, ministered to, and blessed by this study and stay with me through its entirety.  Therefore, in order to give you something beneficial which will, I pray, whet your appetite and spur you on to some serious study – – I will address the “key” to Covenant Living.  THE BLESSING!

It is my genuine desire to identify the vehicle that puts God’s Covenant in motion and action in our lives and I believe that vehicle is THE BLESSING!  For me, this has been one of the most incredible journeys I have ever taken spiritually.  I believe that if “truly grasped” it will, TRANSFORM you completely!  If you “see” this – – truly “see” it with your spiritual eyes you will NEVER be the same.  It will “compel” and “propel” you to walk in God’s fullness, demonstrating His power, manifesting His love, and perpetuating His Kingdom like never before.  Your life will become a living Bible and you will enter a spiritual dimension you never dreamed was truly possible.

I am firmly convinced, from Scripture that it is God’s Great Desire to BLESS US!  However, in order to fully accomplish this, there has to be an introduction to and participation in what I would call the “Jeremiah Ministry”.  That is there will be a “tearing down” and then a “building up.”  God leads us out so He can bring us in and too frequently we resist the “leading out” and fail to “enter in” to what He wants to do in its entirety.

That is my introduction to the subject.  I hope you are, at least, a little interested and willing to give me a few posts to see if you can and will hang on with me.  May God richly bless you as you go through your day and week!  You are truly a “treasured treasure” to Him and I value you highly as well.

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WHY DID GOD LEAVE ENEMIES IN THE LAND??? [Part II]


Spiritual Blog - Promises

Judges 3:1-4 – “Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them (that is, all who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan; 2 only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it formerly). 3 These nations are: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath. 4 They were for testing Israel, to find out if they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers through Moses.”  NASU

 

We stopped in the last devotional with several questions regarding why God would leave enemies in the land that Israel was given as the Promised Land.  Let’s continue that journey.

CONSIDER THIS – If God has designed our Possession of the Land to be little by little, how do you suppose the enemy infiltrate the land?  It is largely through counterfeit, deception, and confusion.  The devil is a master at using LEGITIMATE NEEDS in our lives in order to launch his attacks and carry out his schemes.  How many Legitimate Needs do you have?  Can you Name Them?  Everyone has a need for Security, Provision, Acceptance, and a Desire to be Loved.  For every need, there is a Legitimate and Illegitimate way to meet that need.  A very important question is, “Do you believe that it is God’s desire to meet your Legitimate needs?”  Another question worthy of asking is, “Do you believe that He knows your Legitimate needs?”  The insinuation of the devil is that He does not care or that He is an absentee landlord and does not involve Himself in our daily lives.

IS THERE A MEANS WHEREBY WE CAN KNOW THAT GOD UNDERSTANDS?  Do you realize that for every Legitimate Need, God has set a guard on those needs?  Do you realize where those safeguards are found?  Let me surprise some of you – THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.  Every Commandment of God is a Guard to Protect a Legitimate Need in your life.  Let me offer something for you to dig a little deeper into and study more extensively:

Exodus 33:12-16 – The Need is IDENTITY & PURPOSE.

Exodus 33:16-34:1 – The Need SIGNIFICANCE, VALUE, and WORTH. [Significance Is a word of comparison by which you receive value and your sense of worth]

For every Commandment, there is a Legitimate need for which that Commandment Guards.  The Illegitimate method of meeting Legitimate needs does not meet the need but rather moves us into deception and it is a work of the flesh and the devil.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS:

  • Exodus 20:3 – NO OTHER GODS. This guards our need for identity and all our self-worth is hinged here.  We are informed in Colossians 2:10 that we are “complete in Christ.” And in Hebrews 6:1 we are instructed to press on to maturity.  The word maturity is the same words as complete in Colossians 2.
  • Exodus 20:4 – NO IDOLS. This guards the Legitimate need for Standards and all idolatry is a substitute.  Isaiah declared “you have to carry your idols but my God carries me.”  The person following a False Standard has to do what?  Bear the burden of carrying that load and strive to achieve a position and condition that is a Gift of God.  Performance demands a Standard that we can accomplish.  WHY?  Because if we do not achieve that Standard we are, in our eyes and the eyes of others, a Failure and lose our Identity.  What happens in this is that rather than running to God in Repentance and Receiving His Grace we Adjust the Standard so we can make it achievable.  NO OTHER GODS and NO IDOLS.
  • Exodus 20:7 – DO NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD IN VAIN. This guards the need for Authority. In the Garden of Eden God gave man the Authority to Rule & Reign.  That’s what God made us for – Rulership.  We have an innate need for the Rulership of God to be released in and through us.  Thus, not taking the Name (Authority) of God in vain.  You and I as believers bear the Name of our Lord.  We are visible expressions of His Lordship and Authority.
  • Exodus 20:8 – REMEMBER THE SABBATH. This guards the need for Rest!  Not just physical but spiritual rest.  It speaks of Rest from Performance and Unrealistic Expectations.  It allows us to embrace the reality that God is walking out His Life in our human bodies, hearts, and minds.
  • Exodus 20:12 – HONOR FATHER & MOTHER. This guards the need of man to be under authority.  This provides the balance and need to release authority.

I have not attempted to detail every commandment but the Reason God Left Enemies in the Land and why we face enemies in this life is both to train us for War and teach us Dependence.

Embrace your battles.  By that I mean rather than complain that you have difficulties and problems look for the ways that God is making your Stronger and bringing you to a new level of Maturity.  Rejoice, as James said, “when you encounter trials” because of what is happening in you.  You are moving from faith to faith and victory to victory.  You are BECOMING that which God said you were! 

God bless you richly as you enjoy this day in Him!

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WHY DID GOD LEAVE ENEMIES IN THE LAND???


Spiritual Blog - Let God Arise

Judges 3:1-4 – “Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them (that is, all who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan; 2 only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it formerly). 3 These nations are: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath. 4 They were for testing Israel, to find out if they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers through Moses.”  NASU

 

I have often wondered about many things in Scripture and in the history of mankind, the nation of Israel, and the Church.  My title question is one that I have studied at length and I wish I could say that I have a fully exhaustive conclusion to offer.  I do not, but I do have some thoughts that I believe are based on Scripture.  The Bible tells us definitively some of the reason and among those was to ‘Teach them to War.’  In this passage, we are also informed that the enemies were allowed to remain to TEST ISRAEL.  One of their purposes was to test them to see if they would obey the Commandments of God.  Now, I personally believe that God knew the answer but was allowing an object lesson for the people and successive generations to see both the benefits and dangers of failure to OBEY.

In 1 John 3:8 we read, “…the Son of God appeared so that He might destroy the works of the devil.”  John 16:11 informs us that when the Holy Spirit came, His ministry would be to bring CONVICTION.  That conviction was three-pronged it addressed SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and JUDGMENT.  It is important to note that Jesus spoke this in the ‘perfect tense’ BEFORE He went to the Cross.  Let me ask, “is TIME a spirit world or a sense world commodity?”  Hebrews 2:14-15 informs us that Jesus rendered powerless, the one who had the power of death, the devil.  Who did Jesus render POWERLESS?  The devil.

Colossians 2:8-10 reveals that people are taken captive through philosophy, empty deception, the traditions of men, and the elementary principles of this world.  WOW!  The apostle Paul identified, in Ephesians 6, the RULERS & AUTHORITIES are not those in the natural realm but in the spirit realm.  Jesus stripped the demonic powers and the devil of authority and power. I suggest that you read Colossians 2:11-15 and focus on the truth that Jesus, our Lord, and Savior, DISARMED the rulers and authorities and made a public display of them.  THAT IS POWERFUL!  In the Book of Revelation Chapter 12, we realize that believers OVERCOME through the Blood of Jesus and the Word of their testimony.  We do that because of the work of Jesus on the Cross.  He said in John 19:30, “IT IS FINISHED!”  

Based on what I have just said and quoted it would appear that the purpose and intent of God were to Drive out All Enemies and Give Rest from War.  However, in Exodus 23:29-31 we find that God informed them that He would not drive out the enemies in a single year because if he did the beasts of the field would become so numerous they would overrun the land.  God’s Promise was “little by little” He would drive out the enemy.  Wait?  Didn’t God say He would go before them and drive out the enemy?  YES, He did.  There is no contradiction because God did drive out the enemies but He did it in a way that taught them obedience and instilled confidence and faith.

In 1 Corinthians 3:9 we are told that we (believers) are God’s Field.  That is incredibly interesting and demands the question, “How do you Possess the Field or Land of God little by little, under the Plan & Power of God?”   Lack of Information can lead to deception and deception can lead to advantage being taken of us.  Paul addressed the importance of not being ignorant of the devices and schemes of the devil in 2 Corinthians 2:11. Are you Ignorant of the Schemes of the devil in your own land, your life, your family, your ministry?  Do you know the strategies he employs?  Do you comprehend how he is attempting to steal from and defraud you?  What is your greatest area of weakness?  How is he keeping you weak?

We will discuss those questions in the next devotional but until then may the Lord bless you richly and keep you safe and walking in the Full Victory of God’s Abundant Living.

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