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Look at this:
The concept of "blessing" as used just by the words: bless, blessed, blesses, and blessing appears 521 times in the Bible. There are 66 books in the library of the Bible and God in all of His love and wisdom chose to use this concept via these four words 81 times alone in Genesis - the very first book. In other words, 15% of those blessing words in the Bible are talked about at the very first book! God lays a foundation! He wants us to know. He loves to bless!
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Wednesday night classes are by nature short. We covered a few things quickly and deeply:
1. Demonstration of giving the blessing to someone else...
- Steve put his hands on Charlie's shoulders and spent about 5 minutes modeling...he spoke of who Charlie is...his gifts...how he uses them...his potential...his amazing servant heart...his love for his wife and children....God's plans for his future...Steve's love and respect for him...God's love and respect for him...
- Then, it was my turn...I got down on the floor in front of Brenda...poured frankincense oil on her feet...as I began to massage her feet I told her that frankincense oil was an oil for priests...an oil brought to baby Jesus probably in honor that He came to earth as the new High Priest...that she is a great example of "priestly living"...how she serves...how she loves...how she intercedes for others (connects)...how she has BIG EARS that listen to the Holy Spirit's leading...how she has a BIG MOUTH that encourages and encourages more...and all this while having many health challenges and 2 special needs kids...
2. The trail of blessing through the lineage of Jesus just in the book of Genesis...
- A trail of faith...men and women who could not see into the future...yet, inspite of uncertainty, knew that God was THE BLESSER and it was He who they trusted and obeyed...
- That trail also included people being deceptive about the blessing....stealing the blessing...wrestling with God inspite of the blessing...almost murduring because of the blessing.
3. Steve and I shared our stories of how we received the blessings of our fathers...
- Some people receive blessing from their Heavenly Father and their early father.
- Some people receive blessing from their Heavenly Father and a "mixed blessing" from their earthly father.
- Some people receive blessing from their Heavenly Father and no blessing from their earthly father.
- Some people receive blessing from their Heavenly Father but never choose to acknowledge it or bless in return.
- Some people receive blessing from their earthly father but never choose to acknowledge it or bless in return.
4. Our class song: He's Still Working On Me!
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
After class Wednesday night Garth came up to me and talked about how he'd loved the class and so hoped that we'd have time to talk about how we need to BLESS GOD in return. As I consider that, I look at these words again: bless, blessed, blesses, and blessing. The book of Psalms not only talks about how God blesses us, but it models how we can bless God and we can bless others. It uses "blessing words" 105 times. That's 21% of the time that this is talked about in the Bible comes from the book of Psalms.
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So, the next time discouragement and depression come our way...the next time the question arises, "How can bad things happen to good people?"...here's some food that you can sink your teeth into:.
God loves to bless!
God blesses when we trust and obey!
God blesses even when we don't trust and obey!
God blesses through trials!
God blesses through suffering!
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Do we love to bless God?
Do we bless God when we trust and obey?
Do we bless God when we don't trust and obey?
Do we bless God through our trials?
Do we bless God through our suffering?
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God, please FIND US FAITHFUL in blessing You!
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Psalm 113
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BLESSED be the name of the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the LORD is to be praised.
The LORD is high above all nations;
His glory is above the heavens.
Who is like the LORD our God,
Who is enthroned on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust,
And lifts the needy from the ash heap,
To make them sit with princes,
With the princes of His people.
He makes the barren woman abide in the house
As a joyful mother of children.
Praise the LORD!
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1 comment:
Patti, I was so disappointed I missed Wednesday night class. Thanks for recapping in your blog. I'm looking forward to next week.
Luke and I have been home sick all week.
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