THE BLESSING – Part IX – – “And Keep You”


Spiritual Blog - Keeper

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 begin where we left off last time and consider the second part of the first statement of verse twenty-four – – “And Keep You.”  That’s part of the “Blessing”, but it’s more than that!  It’s Protection!  It’s Energy!  It’s LIFE!

Psalms 121:1-4 – “I will lift up my eyes to the hills — From whence comes my help?  2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.” NKJV

What a powerful passage!  When I’m asleep I am still “kept”.  I’m “kept” whether I’m asleep or awake. I AM BLESSED!  I sleep in “Blessing”.  I nestle under the coverlets of “Blessing” – – I AM KEPT!

Psalm 121:5 – “The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand.”

THAT IS – – He is standing on my right hand so that he casts His shadow over me!  He is standing beside me and protecting me!

Psalms 121:6-8 – “The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.” NKJV

“The Lord Bless You & Keep You…”  The Psalmist says, “let me tell you what that means.”  You are KEPT in your “innermost person.”  KEPT when you go out and when you come in.  KEPT when you sleep and when you wake.  YOU ARE KEPT!

Psalm 91 – – – READ IT…  This is a Psalm written based on THE BLESSING!

You name it, this covers all the bases.  There is nothing from Earth, nothing that can be spewed out of hell, that can penetrate His KEEPING POWER!  The man of Psalm 91 says, “Let it come. I walk in the middle of it.  I’m protected.  I AM KEPT!”  [Jesus quotes that to the Disciples].  It is THE BLESSING!

HEAR ME CAREFULLY:

That was their “mindset”.  They lived in this!  Every Israelite, when he began his day received those words attended by the Power of God and “knew” that GOD was keeping him/her and blessing him!  It covered every aspect of life!

You and I are part of a Better Covenant established upon Better Promises.  This was the Covenant of Sinai and if they had this under the Sinaitic Covenant and the Abrahamic Covenant – – We live in the fulfillment of the Abrahamic and a Better one that the Mosaic.  WHAT THEN DO WE HAVE?

TODAY – – We have the Peace of God that passes all human understanding and keeps/guards the hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!

Psalm 23 – – Is applicable here.  Read it, digest it, devour it, and discover it in a new light.

This is the song of a man who “understood” this BLESSING!  When his enemies were pressing him, he said:  “The LORD is my shepherd, I SHALL NOT WANT….”  Why?  Because He gives me a bed in the lush green pastures, drink from the calm still waters, restores my soul, leads me in the path of righteousness, banishes fear and provides divine protection, gives me provision in the midst of my enemies, anoints me, and His goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life and allows me to dwell in His presence perpetually!  HOW CAN YOU BEAT THAT?

I want to give you one more example but so you will understand how the word was used centuries ago consider this:

THE KEEPS – – In European castles there is, at the entry of the castle a place called “The Keeps”.  Before you got into the castle proper you had to go through “The Keeps”.  It was a fairly small area with a catwalk around the upper portions where archers and other defenders could hold off a very large invading force.

Jesus has declared Himself to be our KEEPER which means that for anything to get to us, it has to go past Him.  UNLESS, we by our own free will and rebellion place ourselves outside the safety of “His Covering” WE ARE KEPT!  [John 17:12-15; 1 Timothy 1:12]  You can “rest” in the KEEPING POWER of the Lord!

We will conclude here with this first statement and pick up the Second Statement tomorrow.  So, as you go through your day and the rest of your life I hope that you walk in this knowledge and the provision of THE BLESSING!

May you always know that the LORD is your keeper!

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THE BLESSING – Part VIII – – “Breaking It Down Further”


Spiritual Blog - Bless You

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 begin today’s journey at yesterday’s stopping place and go a step further in considering the statement:  THE LORD BLESS YOU!  It also meant LIFE.  Actually the word means “fertility”.  I find that fascinating.  Although time and space is of short supply please note:

Leviticus 26:4-13 – “…then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 5 Your threshing shall last till the time of vintage, and the vintage shall last till the time of sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. 6 I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land. 7 You will chase your enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before you. 8 Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you. 9 ‘For I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm My covenant with you.

10 You shall eat the old harvest, and clear out the old because of the new. 11 I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. 13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves;”  NKJV

I urge you to pay particular attention to all the areas of The Blessing!  There is to be Blessing upon your land so that there is rain at the right time so everything will grow properly.  (Spiritual application in that can be seen too).  There is Blessing in terms of your walk with God!

Deuteronomy 28 – – Please take time to read this chapter and digest what it declares.

There is not the time or space to insert it here, but it tells us that THE BLESSING will OVERTAKE US!  We will be Blessed in the city and the country.  We will be Blessed in the offspring of our bodies.  It is BLESSED!  BLESSED!  BLESSED! BLESSED!

I am convinced that you are SEEING THIS!  It meant that ALL your sheep would have lambs, ALL your cows would have calves, and if you planted a seed you received a hundredfold harvest.  It was FERTILITY!

HEAR ME PLEASE:

There is an “Energy” working in your body, in the bodies of your animals, even in the very earth that you have walked on.  There was an “Energy of Fertility”.  It would draw the clouds over your land and make it rain at the right time.  It is part of God’s Blessing!

Another very important point – according to Covenant there should be No Drought or Flood!  That’s part of the Noadic Covenant.  If you “are” The People of God then it’s yours!  God has promised life!  Life in “everything” that you touch!  The “key” is that it all begins and must begin IN OUR SPIRITS!  God said:  “I will walk in the midst of you….”

Let me give a Gentle Warning here.  If you are seeking “material riches”!  If that is your primary focus that’s the very place where Israel went wrong!  They, like many today, hear the tail end of it and think its MONEY, MONEY, and MONEY!  At that point, all you have is “Baal.”  He was the demon god who promised the same thing!  Fertility money, only he didn’t demand all the other stuff like “walking with God”, “loving your neighbor”, “living a righteous life”, and “putting God above all else.”  Essentially these were INNER RICHES!  They were expressed in “outward.” Does that make sense?  Wealth and riches are really spiritual.

If you think that “wealth” is money in your hand then I can point you to many humanistic, flesh oriented, godless people who are “rich”.  BUT, if you can understand God’s definition of riches you will realize that it is an “inward” thing.  Many of the millionaires of the world are the Poorest People in Town!

That’s why I say, based on this understanding and the Bible that a “righteous man” CANNOT BE POOR!  Why?  Because he is “rich” on the “inside!”  He has NO SENSE OF NEED OR LACK!  He is rich in his “spirit”, “emotions”, “soul”, and “body” regardless of the amount of cash he has in his pocket or in the bank!  By the same token, “poverty” is also an “inward” thing.  You can have money and still think with a “poverty mentality”.

I HOPE YOU ARE FOLLOWING ME HERE.  This BLESSING begins at the “innermost” part of you.  It causes you to WALK with God with a mind filled with JOY & PEACE.  It gives you a sense of “greatness” and the LOVE OF GOD that provides my every need!  THEN, the wealth, when it is there is just an “outward expression”, and when it isn’t there, I know that I shall NEVER BE IN LACK!

What I want you to see is that when the priest raised his hands and said:  “The Lord Bless You and Keep You….”  To them, it meant IT IS DONE!  The Lord wills myHighest & Best. He is bringing me to my Fullest Potential as a human being this day!  He is “energizing” me and everything I touch.

Tomorrow we will dig a little deeper into the second part of this statement:  “…And keep you.”  That’s part of the blessing, but it’s more than that.  It is protection, energy, and life.

So, until tomorrow may the Lord guide your footsteps into the place He has chosen for you to occupy and may the blessings of God overtake you and even overwhelm you. 

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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”


Spiritual Blog - God

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….


Spiritual Blog - Blessing

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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