From there he went up to Beersheba. That night the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham."
Did you notice the last part of v.24? It says, "for the sake of my servant Abraham."
God was going to bless Isaac because of his father's relationship with Him.
This verse emphasizes the importance of "godly parents" in the lives of children. If the parents are living close to God, obeying His Word, then God blesses the children because of the parents' devotion to God.
As parents we must realize that our relationship with God relates directly with the blessings our children receive. (I'm not implying that children don't receive blessings otherwise; God sends the rain and sun on the wicked too, leave alone children, but that's because of his mercy)
Abraham lived close to God, obeying Him in everything, not arguing or delaying in being obedient. That's why he became God's friend. And God decided that He was going to bless Isaac because of his father's devotion to Him.
Blessing 42- Jeremiah 17:7,8
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
There’s a basic difference in the someone saying, “I am fully confident that this will happen n my life” and “I am fully confident that the Lord will make this happen in my life”
Statement ‘one’ exudes confidence in one’s own ability and the ‘other’ confidence and trust in the Lord. The Apostle Paul realized this and so he wrote, “But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10)
If you are like a tree planted by the water, that means drawing your nourishment regularly from the Word of God; even when problems come, the Word that is there inside you will strengthen you to overcome the adversities and bear fruit that is lasting. May Jesus bless you this day.
Blessing 43- Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29- 31) Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies ?
Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:6, 7) The Lord reminded me these verses as I saw a couple of sparrows fly and settle on the ground while I was walking to work. They seemed to be happily chirping away. Sandwiched between the sparrow sentences is the phrase- And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Well, I don't think we can by any means maintain the count unless we are totally bald. Even those with little hair may find it difficult to keep count, but God who is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent does know even the minute details of our life.
If God cares for the sparrows, wouldn't he care for you? You, who have been made in the image of God and for whom God sacrificed His only son Jesus. Worth a thought, isn't it?
Blessing 44- Deuteronomy 1: 10,11
The Lord your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as many as the stars in the sky. May the Lord, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!
The promise was given long ago but found it’s fulfillment in God’s own time. The Lord is faithful and He will do what He has said if you hope and trust in Him. The Lord gave Abraham a promise that his descendants would be like the stars of the sky when he did not have a child of his own.
He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." (Genesis 15:5)
And then God reminded him again when he had 2 sons, but far from being like the stars of the sky.
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore…. (Genesis 22:17)
Abraham “hoped against hope” and this is what we also can do. Even if the odds are all against us, we can hold onto the promise that says,
“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:9)”
Blessing 45 - Joel 2:13,14
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing-- grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.
“Rend your heart.” That literally means “tearing your heart.” Not the physical one though.
Jesus said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. (Matthew 15:19)”
Sometimes we really have to tear our hearts to see how much “wickedness” is really there inside.
Moses specifically writes why God made Israel wander in the desert for 40 years.
“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. (Deuteronomy 8:2)”
“to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart”
Does it take 40 years for God to know what’s in our hearts? Never! But with God’s knowing the faults in us, comes His plan to bring us to repentance and then receive His blessings.
If we humble ourselves before the Lord and are obedient to His Word, He will not withhold any blessings from us.
Blessing 46- 1 Chronicles 16:43
Then all the people left, each for his own home, and David returned home to bless his family.
That’s a really good thing to do- bless your family. There are many Christians who return home from work and then release all their pent up frustrations (acquired in the work place and while traveling) at home and upon their family.
I have heard of a story wherein a man who toiled all through the day used to do a strange thing on returning home each evening. He wore a necktie to work each day and on returning home, before he set foot in his house, he used to hang this tie on a tree nearby and then enter his house.
One day, a friend of his saw him doing this strange thing and asked him why he did that and in reply he said “All through the day, as I work, a lot of anger and frustration builds up in me and to see to it that I don’t release all this on my family, I do this to remind me
that none of this is their fault and I must leave all this outside before I enter my house so that there can be peace and joy.”
Perhaps some of us can learn from this. Let us return to bless our families and not bring strife. God bless.
Blessing 47- Psalms 107:35
He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs.
The wonder working power of God is so very evident in the Bible. The water miracles themselves are so many. He divides the water for His children to pass through, He turns water into blood to terrify the enemy, He brings water out of rocks to quench the thirst of His people, He turns water into wine to help a marriage party be a success, He walks on water to increase his disciples’ faith, He steadies a boat swamped by furious waters of the sea and so many more.
The Bible says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
The more you read the Word, the more you hear the Word, the more your faith increases and more the miracles that you experience in your life.
Faith combined with action is very evident in all the miracles described above. When God promises us something, He also expects us to act with faith for the miracle to ensue.
Blessing 48- Psalms 133:1-3
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
How good and pleasant it is when brothers and for that matter, sisters live in unity.
The psalmist here points out a genuine fact, that God bestows blessings where there is unity. Where there is strife, like in the case of Jacob and Esau, problems keep brewing and there is no peace. Not only unity between brothers and sisters, unity among the members of our family is important for God to bless us. Where there is ill will between the members of a family, God’s blessing upon that family is often hindered. And how can God bless a church where there is no unity among the brothers and sisters. Of course, it’s possible to create a lot of noise in worship for all and sundry to know that God is among us, but the peace and joy that the Lord gives can never be upon that congregation. The Lord will bestow his blessing upon us, if we live in unity, whether it be our families or our churches.
Blessing 49- Psalms 41:1-3
Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.
So many blessings for having regard for the weak!!!
Sometimes we need to ask ourselves, “Is our attitude like that of the Good Samaritan or like the priest and levite?” (Luke 10:29-37)
Actually in KJV we read the same as, “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. (Psalm 41:1)”
The Lord is concerned about the poor and it is His desire that we as believers be considerate towards them.
We can receive the blessings that comes attached to the acts of kindness that we do for the poor and destitute.
Most of the blessings that we read in the Word are conditional and depend upon us doing certain acts for receiving blessings. In the New Testament, however, blessings come to us because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (Romans 8:32) but still the blessings above are valid and God will honour a person who honours His word. May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to be considerate towards the poor.
Blessing 50- Haggai 2:19
Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. "From this day on I will bless you.
Have you experienced a season of scarcity either spiritually or needs wise? Here is a promise for you from the Lord to bless you from this day.
The question that often troubled the Israelites in their 40 year wandering in the desert was, “Can the Lord do yet another miracle?” They had seen the sea split apart and walked through its midst, they had tasted the sweet water which was earlier bitter at Marah, they had seen the heavens pour down manna, still they doubted God when they were in the next trying situation. God is faithful and asks us to believe that He can do the impossible even today. So can we just believe without asking a question? Elijah never asked God why He had chosen the brook Kerith or why He had chosen the widow of Zarephath for him. He just believed that God knew what was best for him and obeyed. He never even questioned God as to why He should show himself to King Ahab who was searching to kill him, but went when God’s command came to him. Faith and obedience both counts.
Blessing 51- 1 Samuel 2:20,21
Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord." Then they would go home. And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.
Does the promise,“Give and it shall be given unto you” work in this regard too? Well, it seems to have worked wonderfully for Hannah. She gave ‘one’ for the Lord’s service and the Lord gave her 5 more.
Many people make vows to the Lord when they are in desperate situations like Hannah was, but later on after receiving their miracle, they forget their vows. God expects us to be faithful to Him when we make vows.
The Bible also advises us, “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth; do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfil your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfil it. (Ecclesiastes 5:1,2,4,5)
Blessing 52- Exodus 32:29
Then Moses said, "You have been set apart to the LORD today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day."
This is the blessing that God conferred on the tribe of Levi because they took a decision not to stand with idol worshippers. When most of the Israelites were dancing and creating a ruckus around the golden calf that Aaron had made, Moses declared, "Whoever is for the LORD, come to me." And all the Levites rallied to him. (Exodus 32:26)
There are many so called Christians who like the other 11 tribes even now stick on to their worldly ways, even idol worship, when God has called them to live a life of consecration. As Paul the apostle writes to the Corinthians, “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6: 16-18)
Blessing 53- Ephesians 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Many believers tend to focus more on the material aspects of life when they pray to God, asking God to fulfil this need and that need and often forget to pray for their spiritual life. Of course we all need to pray for our physical and material needs, but the spiritual aspect is more important. Without building the spiritual aspect and concentrating only on the material needs causes the spiritual life to deteriorate and that causes an overall damage to our lives. We must pray first for God to bless us with a rich spiritual life, ability to pray more (and deeply), to read and meditate the Word more and to spend more time in worshipping God. When our spiritual life takes a back seat, the material things that we have will not give us heavenly peace or joy. Every spiritual blessing is reserved for the believer and we should utilize it for our own edification and for the edification of others. God bless you.
Blessing 54- James 1:25
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it, he will be blessed in what he does.
“Not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it.”
That’s what is most important for a believer. When we hear the Word that is expounded to us, how much do we really take and practice in our lives? Unless the ‘heard Word’ becomes practical in our lives, we cannot receive the blessings.
When we act on the Word that we hear, God is happy that we are obedient to Him. There are many who give excuses because they do not want to obey the Word. This may be due to their fleshly desires or love for the world. Human relations can also be an obstacle for some, as they tend to please people rather than God and then the Word that they heard becomes null and void. When we do not ‘do’ the Word that we hear, we are deceiving ourselves and no one else. So let us be ‘doer’s of the Word that we hear and receive God’s blessings.
Blessing 55- Ruth 3:9-11
Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer." "The Lord bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.
The last part of v.11 has Boaz saying, “All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.”
If a believer has a noble character, it will be very evident in the way he/she goes about living their daily life. We won’t have to prove our nobility, it will be clear to other believers in the way we dress, speak and deal with others. There are some who use the perpendicular pronoun “I” much in their talks. You can be sure that such are not anywhere near being noble. “I did that..”…”I said that….”…”I know….”…”I am the only….” Such will be their talks often.
Ruth had suffered and was willing to go the 2nd mile for her mother-in-law’s sake. Not only Boaz, but all the townsmen knew that she was of a noble character. Words spoken with humility and actions that convey the same message are the traits that go about in making a person one of noble character. May the Lord help us to be like that. God bless you.
Blessing 56- Zechariah 4:6-9
So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: `Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty.”What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of `God bless it! God bless it!' "Then the word of the Lord came to me: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
Construction of the second temple, after the exile in Babylon was started in 536 B.C. on the Solomonic foundations levelled a half- century earlier by the Babylonians. There were several attempts to thwart it. Many enemies rose to hinder the building but finally in 516 B.C., the sixth year of the Persian emperor Darius 1, the temple was finally completed.
If you are out to build something, whether your spiritual life, a church or something in your life in this world, hindrances may come, but remember, “It’s not by might nor by power, but by God’s Spirit” that you have to build and only then you will see victory. Persist in prayer till the answer comes and the hindrance is removed. That mighty mountain before you will be flattened by the Spirit of the Lord. The victory is yours, so praise the Lord.
Blessing 57- Psalm 109:28
They may curse, but you will bless; when they attack they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice. (Psalm 109:28)
David laments in this psalm about the hatred that his foes have towards him and then cries out for help from God.
He starts off by singing, "O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent, for wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues. With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. (Psalm 109:1-4)
Notable here is the last part of verse 4 where he says, "In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer"
Not many believers can really join with David and say, "I am a man/ woman of prayer"
Why do believers spend so little time in prayer when they know that persistent prayer is what brings results? satan is only too happy when believers don't pray. he knows they are easy prey for him when they don't pray.
Nights are good time for spending quality time with the Lord, unless you are working at nights, in which case part of your daytime should be spent in prayer.
David was a man of prayer, a man who was after God's own heart and it's no wonder that God exalted him. God honours prayer and persistent prayer brings results.
The title of Psalm 18 reads, "For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul."
Truly, David was a man of prayer and we can do well to be the same. May the Holy Spirit help each one of us to be men and women of prayer.
Blessing 58- 1 Chronicles 4:10
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4:10)
The prayer of Jabez is much talked about in Christian circles for its effectiveness. Jabez put his life's concerns before God in precise terms and he got what he asked for.
The time factor is the only thing that is not included in the "Ask and it shall be given to you" promise in the gospels of Matthew & Luke.
And that can be troubling sometimes because believer's often get frustrated that God is not answering their prayers when they want it to be.
And what do you do if your prayers are not answered when you want them to be?
Jesus gave a clue of how this can be achieved, when He said, " And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12) (KJV)
"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it." (Matthew 11:12) (NIV)
Ever heard of getting violent in prayer? Literally banging on the doors of heaven. Holding on to promises in the Word and praying to God, "You must answer my prayer, you must......" It has been done in the past, so too you can. Such prayers have been answered before, so yours too will be.
Blessing 59- Zechariah 8:13
As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong." (Zechariah 8:13)
Here's a blessing for you if others don't care about you or you are an object of ridicule. There are other believers who often look down upon themselves and have an inferiority complex. An object of cursing either way.
Whatever it be, the Lord is able to save you and make you a blessing. He says, "so will I save you, and you will be a blessing"
Remember He is the one who makes warriors out of ordinary men and women. Gideon who once was a man full of fears and apprehensions was changed into a mighty warrior, all because the Lord spoke to him and strengthened him. The Lord said 3 important things to him to change his life:
1. The Lord is with you, mighty warrior (Judges 6:12)
2. Go in the strength that you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you? (Judges 6:14)
3. I will be with you and you will strike down all the Midianites together. (Judges 6:16)
The Lord is telling you the same this day. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You will be a blessing to many. God bless you.
Blessing 60- Luke 1:45
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (Luke 1:45)
That's what Elizabeth told Mary when she met her. Was it easy for Mary to believe? I mean, an angel had come to her and said, " "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:30-33)
That must have been quite startling for her to hear and she must have had a lot of questions to ask, but all she asked was one.
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34)
And she believed in what the angel answered her.
Some people ask me, "How far can I stretch this thing called "faith"?
Well, it's very elastic as far as I know. Depends upon how much one has believed in what one has read in the Word of God.
I think what must have triggered faith in Mary was the following words that the angel told her.
"For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)
And so it is for the Lord even today. So shall we believe?
Blessing 61 - Genesis 27:23
He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him. (Genesis 27:23)
The verse above describes how Jacob deceived his father Isaac to get a blessing that was his brother Esau's.
Some people, even believer's manipulate others to get certain things done or for their own selfish gains. It's like telling half-truth. You know that what you are saying is not totally the truth, but say it in a way that fulfils your motives. Well, Jesus once said,
"....with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:2)
If that verse were taken in the matter of wrongs that we do, then Jacob really got back a good measure of deception when he reached Laban's house. 20 years of not so comfortable life. He landed in the house of a deceiver who changed his wages 10 times and Jacob himself gives his testimony to Laban in this manner:
"I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks.
I did not bring you animals torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for whatever was stolen by day or night.
This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes. It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times." (Genesis 31:38-41)
Jacob left a little bit out of his testimony. How he had deceived his father and brother!
Jacob- the deceiver went on to become Israel- one who prevails with God, but only after God had dealt with him. May the Lord help us all to be without guile all through our life and receive blessings without manipulating others.
Blessing 62- Luke 24:51
"While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven." (Luke 24:51)
The last thing that Jesus did while being taken up into heaven was blessing His disciples whom He loved so much. It was not unnatural for Him because all that He did while He bodily lived on earth was "doing good to all."
He came to save, to heal and to deliver humanity that was going into eternal destruction. He came to bless and now He's coming back to judge.
He fulfilled the prophesies concerning Him and after doing everything that was required of Him by His Father, cried out, "It is finished."
His work was complete and His faithfulness to His Father was total. The blessing He thus received He now shares with us who have believed in His work on the cross. He is coming back and that's for sure, whether anyone believes it or not, but blessed are those who believe. Hope you are among us who believe.
Blessing 63 - John 1:16
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. (John 1:16)
It's great when we experience one blessing after another coming from the Lord.
The Bible says, " He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)
Salvation, healing, deliverance, peace, hope & joy; all these and much more because of the sacrifice of Jesus. And there's much more to come.
In the 2nd book of Corinthians we read, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Wonderful heavenly blessings await all those who have put their trust in Jesus and are living for Him. Things that cannot be even imagined by the human mind. Inventions and discoveries that have taken place till today can never even come close to the great heavevenly blessings that await the believer in Jesus Christ.
So let us, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up............ "(1 Thessalonians 5:11) as the Apostle Paul says.
Blessing 64 - Zechariah 4:7-9
"What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!'" Then the word of the LORD came to me: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. (Zechariah 4:7-9)
What if we start building and then can't finish? is the thought that often crosses our minds when we take up a project. Zerubbabel and friends had begun building the temple after the exile in Babylon, but what guarantees were there that they would complete it.
The world gives warranties, but the Lord gives a promise to us as a guarantee.
And the guarantee to Zerubbabel was, "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. "
When you are unsure whether you are going to complete what you have begun, be it in your spiritual life or your work life or ministry, pick up the book full of guarantees and then you will see your faith rise to see it completed one day.
The Lord promised Zerubbabel that his hands which had laid the foundation stone of the temple will also lay the capstone i.e. the final stone/the top stone. And that too with shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!'
And it happened. So will the thing that you have started. So do not worry. Praise Jesus.
Blessing 65- Psalm 87:7
As they make music they will sing, "All my fountains are in you." (Psalm 87:7)
People may promise us many things but they may not fulfill those promises. Every believer should understand that all their blessings come from Christ. He is their fountain that never dries up.
In the KJV Bible we read the same as....all my springs are in thee. (Psalm 87:7b)
If all the money that people promised through e-mails were to come true, we would have ranked somewhere near Bill Gates in terms of riches.
God has promised us that "He will never leave us nor forsake us."
Our trust should be in the Lord and no one else. He will provide us with what we need because He is a good father. God may use human channels to provide us with what we need, but these human channels are not the fountain; the fountain is Christ and as the Bible says,
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
So let us hold on to the promises of God rather than the promises of men.
Blessing 66- Psalm 28:9
Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. (Psalm 28:9)
David ends Psalm 28 by praying to God to save His people and bless them. Psalm 28 is a mixture of cries for mercy and praise for deliverance. David wanted God to punish the wicked because they cared not for God or His works.
David wanted God to shepherd His people and carry them. Surely he must have been thinking of the times he himself was a shepherd taking care of sheep and he knew how much care some sheep needed.
Paul the Apostle while writing to the Thessalonians said,
".......encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Some believers who have matured over the years in their walk with God are impatient that new believers cannot be so prompt and "up to the mark" as they want them to be. They often forget that it's all "Grace"
As the Apostle Paul said,
"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. (Ephesians 4:7)"
....without which we are nothing, so as to say. So let us be thankful that He has given us grace. Surely our God is one who shepherds His people and carries them.
Blessing 67- Numbers 23:20
I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it. (Numbers 23:20)
King Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel, but God did not allow Balaam to curse. Here we read Balaam telling Balak that he has received a command to bless and that God has blessed Israel and he could not change it.
People of God should remember that God has blessed them and no one can change it, except for, they themselves. God has given us His Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us each day of our lives here on earth.
Jesus promised: My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:27-29)
No one can snatch us out of the Father's hand, but some believers take things for granted and walk out of the Father's hand and His protection and become easy prey for the devil.
Balaam could not curse Israel though he tried many times and from different places. Then he devised another plan to get Israel to sin and fall into disfavour with God. That's read in Revelation Ch. 2,v.14
"Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. (Revelation 2:14)"
God punished the Israelites for this sin of theirs and many died.
As long as we stay in the Father's hands we are blessed and no curse can come upon us. The Father's hands- thats where all our blessings are.
Blessing 68- Deuteronomy 33:23
About Naphtali he said: "Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the Lord and is full of his blessing; he will inherit southward to the lake." (Deuteronomy 33:23)
How great it is to be abounding with favour of the Lord.
In the book of Esther we read of the King thrice telling Esther: "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you." (Esther 5:3) As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, "Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted." (Esther 5:6)
and as they were drinking wine on that second day, the king again asked, "Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted." (Esther 7:2)
Esther had found favour in the kings eyes, so he wanted to give her whatever she asked for.
And to those who believe in Jesus and are living for Him, Jesus says,
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
Praise the Lord!
Blessing 69- Joel 2:14
Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing - grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God. (Joel 2:14)
The prophet Joel is telling Judah here that perhaps with fasting and weeping they can touch the heart of God and He may leave a blessing on them even though they had committed great iniquities.
He addressed the nation: 'Even now,' declares the LORD, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.' Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. (Joel 2:12, 13)
The specific sin that is mentioned in this book is - Drunkenness. It suggests a self-indulgent lifestyle pursued by those who value material things more than spiritual.
Do we as believers also value material things more than spiritual? Are our prayers always focussed on the material than the spiritual? I think we can assess ourselves. Measure the amount of things that we pray for as "Material" & "Spiritual" and put the percentage on paper. Most of us will be amazed. Material scores very high. God help us.
Blessing 70- Acts 20:35
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:35)
The Apostle Paul here mentions something the gospel writers have not mentioned i.e. Jesus saying, " It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Believers argue about so many topics in forums or otherwise depending upon their knowledge or what the Lord has revealed to them. Some things that we experience in our walk with God may not be experienced by our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Everyone may not speak in tongues, everyone may not see dreams or visions, everyone may not prophesy.
Those who experience things from the Lord know that it is legitimate and true, while those who do not experience the same may argue that such a thing does not exist. It doesn't mean that they are less spiritual, it's just that God may have blessed them in certain other areas of their spiritual life, perhaps like a- more knowledge of the Word or something else.
Sometimes it's better to keep certain things between us and God for others may not understand it.
It would have been difficult for Mary to explain how she was with child without knowing any man. Would others believe? Would others understand?
For a long time, I used to keep warning believers about a worldwide ministry where there were a lot of so called miracles and "Slain in the spirit" that it was not from God but satanic because the Lord had shown it to me through several dreams. Not many believed and even now don't believe.
Then one night, I saw another dream. Actually the preceding evening, i happened to have dinner with another servant of God and while we were discussing things, the matter of this ministry came up and he said his opinion in favor and I told him what the Lord had shown me. Finally as we departed I told him, "If you do not believe what I say, just ask the Lord whether what I say is true or not."
That night as I slept; in the dream, I happened to be standing in a place attending to my daily chores and suddenly Jesus came near me (in the dream I knew it was Jesus). He smiled and all He said was, 'I have not revealed this to everyone, hinting to me about what I had spoken the preceding evening.'
God has His ways and may not reveal everything to even the greatest of prophets. That's what Elisha once said, "When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, "Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me why." (2 Kings 4:27) (Read v. 17 onwards for more understanding of this verse)
God is God and He has His ways; we'll be still learning about Him and His ways till we step into eternity to live with Him.
Blessing 71 - Matthew 16:17
Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven (Matthew 16:17)
Peter here answered a question that the other 11 disciples could not. He got a revelation that the others did not get. The question was simple, but the answer was profound. Let's read,
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:13-16)
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are also called the "gifts of grace" [We have different gifts, according to the grace given us......(Romans 12:6)] and the Father in heaven chose to give this revelation to Peter.
Why was Peter chosen to be given this revelation??
God decides which gift is to be given to each believer.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12:11) ......gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:4)
Of course the Bible also says,
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)
We have to eagerly/earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but God will give what is best for us to edify others and build His kingdom here on earth.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
It's not because Peter was super-spiritual that he was given this revelation. And neither are we given spiritual gifts because we are above others. It's just grace......AMAZING GRACE.
Blessing 72- Joshua 14:13
Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. (Joshua 14:13)
One warrior blessing another.
It was of Caleb that the Lord had given a testimony and a promise.
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. (Numbers 14:24)
That's what the Lord desires from us too--to follow Him wholeheartedly. Of course, it took time, but the Lord fulfilled His promise. The Lord is faithful and He brings to pass what He promises.
Not many know what part of the promised land Joshua received. We read of that in Joshua Ch. 19
When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them, as the LORD had commanded. They gave him the town he asked for - Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he built up the town and settled there. (Joshua 19:49,50)
Just rewards for the 2 warriors who followed the Lord wholeheartedly.
And the Lord has a promise for us too: Our Promised Land- New Jerusalem.
Blessing 73- Psalm 66:12
"You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance." (Psalm 66:12)
When people ride over our heads because we have decided to live for the Lord, it is so humiliating and painful. We know that we have done no wrong, yet when we are subject to abuse, it is so distressing and depressing. We may just feel like hiding in some place where no one can see us. Some cry their hearts out. What good can such a situation bring in our lives?
The Bible says, " If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." (1 Peter 4:14)
There are some who when they have lived according to worldly ways, no one had any complaints against them, but when they find Christ and start living for Him, almost all turn against them. But the Lord is just. He won't allow the suffering to continue forever. The Bible says, And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)
Blessing 74- Psalm 106:3
Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. (Psalm 106:3)
Is there anyone who constantly does what is right other than the Lord? I doubt. Maintaining justice and constantly doing right is no easy thing. Many people think that what they do is right, but unfortunately in the Lord's eyes it proves to be different.
A woman caught in adultery was once brought to Jesus. We read, The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. (John 8:3-9)
Jesus is full of compassion. It's not that he was siding the person who was sinning. He wanted to give her a chance to change her life. Not only that, He wanted to show her accusers that they were no better. Thirdly, He also wanted to show that " Mercy triumphs over judgement"
As James writes, Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! (James 2:12,13)
Blessing 75 - Isaiah 51:1, 2
Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many. (Isaiah 51:1, 2)
"When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many."
The call came to Abraham and he set out from the midst of idol-worshippers to a land that God was going to show him. When God called him, He gave him a set of promises which He fulfilled eventually.
With Abraham set out many others and they too were blessed. Abraham was a man of worship and wherever he went he set up an altar to the Lord and worshipped him there. Because of his obedience and faith in God, God blessed him in all things.
And the promise is for us too. The Bible says, Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring - not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. (Romans 4:16)
God has called you through Jesus Christ to be a part of His kingdom here on earth as well as in eternity and there is no greater blessing than that. God bless you. Hope we too can find wisdom in that.
Blessing 76 - Jeremiah 20:14
Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me not be blessed! (Jeremiah 20:14)
Jeremiah is lamenting because of the great number of problems and persecution he is facing as a prophet of God. Some of us, when we experience distressing problems in our lives lament like Jeremiah: it was better if I was not born.
It's not surprising that Jeremiah is lamenting thus because he faced a lot of rejection. Read what he says, "For twenty-three years - from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day - the word of the LORD has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened." (Jeremiah 25:3)
Quite natural, I would say, his complaining. There are wives who have tried to reason with their husbands and parents who have tried to persuade their children to follow Godly ways but failed.
But our God is a just God. He will not let you down. He says, "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)"
He also says, "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17)"
So be strengthened this day. The Lord loves you with an everlasting love.
Blessing 77 - Job 29:13
The man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow's heart sing. (Job 29:13)
This is what Job said in one of his discourses. A dying man blessing him and a widow's heart singing. Why? Only because Job was a generous and kind man. He cared for the poor and for the orphans and widows.
The Apostle James says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)"
This then, should be a part of our Christian life. The poor, the orphans and the widows; they need more love and care than those who are better off and in families.
Job said, "I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. (Job 29:14- 16)
Love & Compassion, 2 great virtues that Jesus himself had in abundance. He expects us also to follow in the same vein. He said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
May the Lord help each one of us to live as the Lord desires. God bless.
Blessing 78- Deuteronomy 33:23
About Naphtali he said: "Naphtali is abounding with the favour of the Lord and is full of his blessing; he will inherit southward to the lake." (Deuteronomy 33:23)
Naphtali was the 5th son of Jacob, and the 2nd born to him by Rachel's handmaid, Bilhah. At his birth Rachel is said to have exclaimed, naphtule 'Elohim niphtalti, "wrestling’s of God"--i.e. "mighty wrestling’s"--"have I wrestled."("I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.")
Since her sister was fruitful and giving birth to many children and because she herself was barren, the children her maid Bilhah bore were a source of consolation to her. Naming him thus, indicated that she had won the favor and blessing of God.
Rachel had to wait a long time to conceive a child by herself, but God had mercy on her and opened her womb and from her were born 2 sons to Jacob- Joseph & Benjamin.
Our God is a prayer answering God. He answers our prayers and that's why the psalmist says,
"Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! (Psalm 66:20)"
Be strengthened this day. Whatever be your request, He will answer your prayer too.
Blessing 79 - Psalm 41:11
I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. (Psalm 41:11)
The enemy tries to play on our thought processes and he often succeeds in bringing depression and anxiety in our lives. Sometimes nothing that we do seems to work. We pray faithfully, praise & thank God, worship, read the Word, fast, do good to others,etc. etc. yet we encounter delays in our prayers being answered. And then comes frustration which makes us think that all that we do is no good.
Have you experienced or are experiencing such a situation?
It's not going to last for a long time dear Brother, dear Sister. It's just a limited period of time during which we must continue to live faithfully to God and we will surely see His deliverance.
Frustrations come to all of us. It's just a part of life. More important is what we do with these frustrations! We can overcome them by prayer and waiting upon the Lord or we can go in to sin and then blame the frustrations for sinning.
Of course, the Lord understands our frustrating situations. He had gone through it several times when He was doing ministry for 3 1/2 years.
Even the Apostle Paul experienced it. He wrote thus; At my first defence, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. (2 Timothy 4:16,17)
Remember, the Lord is with you and will give you the required strength to overcome what you are experiencing today. So cheer up; Jesus loves you.
Blessing 80- Psalm 67:7
God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him. (Psalm 67:7)
"All the ends of the earth will fear him."
In the book of Philippians we read, Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
Every knee that has not bowed to the name of Jesus and every tongue that has not confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord will one day do that. But when??
There are so many who die without doing this, but the day is not far when they will be doing it.
In Revelation Chapter20 we read, Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)
Yes, those who have not bowed their knees to the name of Jesus and every tongue that has not confessed that Jesus is Lord (while they lived) will do it just before they are thrown into the lake of fire. That will be the fulfilment of Apostle Paul's words.
As the Psalmist says, God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him. (Psalm 67:7)
Praise the Lord.
Blessed are you if you have confessed "Jesus is Lord" and accepted His atoning work on the cross.
