Tag: blessed
Day 5–The Final Blessings
Scripture reading for June 26: Revelation 22:7 (Jesus) “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this Book.” vs 12-14 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing My recompense with Me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
The final recorded blessing from our Lord given to John is given to those who will hear and heed the prophetic announcements and warnings he was told to record at the beginning of his book. (Revelation 1:3) We notice the repetition of the words, “I am coming soon” by Jesus Christ. This promise was to be held closely by each faith responder as they worked and waited for the promise to find final fulfilment. But God did not reveal the exact timing of these final events. If we knew when, then we would not need to live by faith. But because we live by faith, we actively seek to be clothed in Christ’s robes of righteousness through Spirit-filled living. We gather with God’s people to worship Him and study His Word to prepare our hearts to enter the Holy City and eat eternally from the Tree of Life. We daily seek to proclaim the Gospel to those in our world.
But there is a warning from God concerning those who are shut out of the Holy City. These are those who refused to repent of their wicked deeds but instead practiced rebellion. These sought sorcerers and used drugs and alcohol in their idolatry. They practiced all forms of sexual immorality and violence to murder or enslave others. They were liars and loved falsehood, thereby hating the Truth found in Jesus Christ. Their place will be in the lake of fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. (Revelation 20:10, 15)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Come! Your soon return is my hope and future desire. Lead me today by Your Holy Spirit to share this Good News of our eternal reward of a heavenly city and a Tree of Life! May all first responders become faith responders. Amen.
Day 2–Blessedness of Jesus’ Followers
Scripture reading for June 16: Matthew 5:2-10 “And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The sermon on the mount is the first major recorded teaching of Jesus and it begins with a short discourse on blessedness from the King of the kingdom of heaven. As first responders, it is good to review what heart attitudes that Jesus recommends as blessed. First He commends those who are poor in spirit and those who mourn. Responders regularly encounter people who are down in their spirit and lack hope. They also help people who are in mourning over life circumstances or loss. Jesus reminds us that the kingdom of heaven is opened to these people. Comfort from heaven flows to those mourning. As responders, we are God’s hand extended to them.
Jesus stated that the meek or humble person would inherit the earth. Our attitude of humility opens us up to the world of God’s amazing grace and we can humbly receive God’s authority and identity, enabling us to rule our own souls first and then greater things. When we hunger and thirst for righteousness, God promises our satisfaction in our lowly state as He pours out forgiveness of sins and gives us His righteousness.
As responders, mercy should be our heart attitude towards those we encounter. We should act towards each person with a pure heart and a calm and peaceable demeanor. The pure in heart see God and reflect God to others. Peacemakers represent God’s heart for all mankind. Even if we are persecuted or suffer for doing good, we belong to the King and His kingdom.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for helping me to understand true blessedness by revealing these principles of Your kingdom. Make me a blessing to the mourning and poor in spirit. Use me to show mercy and make peace among those in conflict. In Christ’s blessing may I reside. Amen.
Day 5–Bless as You Serve!
Scripture reading for March 20: Matthew 5:43-45 “”You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father Who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.””
Acts 20:35 “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
As we finish this week on being a servant of our Lord, it is good to be reminded of the words of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Servant/Leader. Normal human behavior is to love those who love us and to hate those who hate us. This creates a culture of division and strife that binds up those involved in it. Jesus taught His followers that God’s adopted children must change their own ways to accurately reflect their heavenly Father.
God is Love and His Love gives blessings to all, the just and the unjust, the good and the evil. He sends rain to all, showering them with blessings. The sunshine of His Love is rising on all mankind and His goodness leads people to repentance. (Romans 2:4) God’s Love for the world of lost mankind moved Him to sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to demonstrate that love by giving His life-blood to pay for our sins.
As first responders, we can apply these truths to our lives each day. We must be hard workers and help the weak, giving them aid and blessing them with goodness. Even if they may treat us with disrespect or appear as enemies, we can pray for them and bless them. Remember, hurting people often hurt others. Even Jesus was reviled by those He came to serve and save. It cost Him His life, but the reward of seeing lost souls come into God’s family was worth it to Him. (Hebrews 12:2)
Prayer: Father God, thank You for serving me, even when I was self-centered and rebellious to You and Your ways. What a blessing I have received in adoption into My Father’s forever family. Use me to help the weak and give blessing to the hurting. Amen.
Day 5–Blessing of Peace
Scripture reading for March 13: 2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”
Numbers 6:23-26 “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. So shall they put My Name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.””
In the days of Moses, God’s presence was with His people in the form of a cloud of glory by day and a cloud of fire by night. When Moses went up on Mount Sinai to receive God’s law, the mountain was covered in clouds and fire. There was lightning and rumbles of thunder. The people were told not to even touch the mountain or they would die. This presence of God was meant to bring comfort and assurance to God’s people, but instead caused great fear of punishment and awareness of their guilt. God instructed Aaron to bless His people and assure them of His smiling face and gracious heart for them. They were to picture God’s smile shining on them and His peace resting on them. Through that spoken blessing, God’s Name would rest on them and they would be blessed.
But God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring true peace to mankind. Through faith in Jesus, God, Himself gives us His peace. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians (and us) that God would give us His peace at all times and in every way we might have need of it. He prayed that the peace would come from the Lord’s presence with us all. Let this simple prayer and declaration of faith bring you the blessing today. Then go forth to bring peace to each place you find yourself in.
Prayer: “Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with you all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.” (Ephesians 6:23-24) Amen.
Day 2–Blessed to hear and apply!
Scripture reading for February 10: James 1:22-25 “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
We as responders must be continually listening and applying what we already know with the new information we are receiving as we respond to each incident. We listen to the incident 911 dispatcher’s instructions and directions. We act by following the directions to the incident scene after procuring the needed equipment and tools. On the scene, we report new information that may help others respond with needed skills or other equipment. If there is a person in distress, we ask questions to determine how to best help that person in the most timely manner.
As faith responders who are learning to follow Jesus through the leading of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, listening and hearing are critical to success. We can hear but not listen, resulting in our knowing information but failing to act on that information. God’s Word says we deceive ourselves when we do not apply the instructions or corrections God gives us. If we lack wisdom on applying God’s Word, James tells us we must ask God in faith for help and He will generously give what we need. (James 1:5-6) But if we ask for wisdom and receive it, we should act on it not just hear the words. That is unbelief and not faith. Procrastination and fear of failure often hinder us from acting.
As we are with Jesus through the Holy Spirit indwelling us, we can have wisdom and new insight as needed. The perfect law of love for God and love for others will motivate us to always seek loving responses to meet the needs we face.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the perfect law of love expressed to us in the death of Jesus Christ and Your Gift of the Holy Spirit. We have liberty to love others and trust You for the wisdom and direction needed through Your Word and Holy Spirit. Amen.
The upside-down kingdom!
Scripture reading for March 11: Luke 6
“And He lifted up His eyes on His disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”” Luke 6:20-23
After a great healing meeting where power had come out of Him and brought deliverance from demons and healing for all, Jesus looked to heaven and began to speak to His disciples. Jesus pronounced blessings on those of His followers who were poor, hungry, weeping and those hated and reviled because of Him. He told them that they should rejoice and leap for joy now in faith! Their reward in heaven would far exceed the troubles that they were now experiencing. In fact, they were in good company because this is how their own relatives had treated the prophets sent to them by God.
Jesus was teaching them about the invisible kingdom of God and their privilege to be a part of that kingdom. In spite of how it might look or feel, they were blessed and would be rewarded. People of faith had always been subject to persecution, hatred, exclusion, and even famine and sorrows and even death. The prophets of God had experienced this as well, even from the Israelites forefathers. These truths told them of an upside-down kingdom where what the world thought of as punishment was actually going to be rewarded. Jesus Christ, Himself, would model this attitude of joy and blessing as He suffered as the Son of God and our Savior.
As a believer in Jesus, have you ever suffered for your faith? Do you find it hard to rejoice and leap for joy when people hate you and revile you? Which one of these blessings pronounced by Jesus Christ do you most need in your life today?
Prayer: Father God, I admit that I don’t enjoy being hungry, weeping, or being hated by others because of Jesus Christ as my Lord. My experience has been limited of these things happening, but I have visited lands where it is dangerous to be a believer. Help me to live in hope and joy so I might share the Gospel by my attitude, actions and joyful life. Amen.
The Blessing of Godly Character
Scripture reading for August 30: Daniel 1-3
Have you ever moved into a strange neighborhood and different culture where you didn’t even speak the language of the people around you? Have you gone on a mission trip and lived for a short time out of your culture? These kinds of experiences would help us to understand what Daniel and his three young friends experienced in their 800 mile trip across deserts from Jerusalem to Babylon. They were probably teenagers and were the best and brightest of the Jewish people of God. They were taken into the culture to be re-programed to think “Babylonian” by being placed in the prestigious “University of Babylon” and given a rich diet from the king of Babylon’s personal chef. (Daniel 1:1-6)
But these young men had had good training in their home and church community. They would have memorized the Pentateuch (Books of Moses) by the time they were thirteen. They would have read the prophets and would have begun an apprenticeship for a trade at that time. Their character was shaped by the Law of God in the ten commandments and through Moses’ writings. They also had dietary laws that were given to keep them healthy and set them apart so that they might be a testimony to the nations. As they were taken into captivity and placed in a foreign culture, their godly character helped them to walk with integrity and reap God’s blessing and favor.
Daniel and his friends resolved not to become defiled with food that was not allowed by God’s law. They appealed to the one in authority to have a different diet. Notice that they didn’t demand their rights! (Daniel 1:6-14) Daniel listened and was understanding and agreeable and respectful to the one in authority. These wise ways resulted in God’s blessing and favor. (Psalm 5:11-12) They looked better with the diet of vegetables and water than the rest who had the rich food and wine! (Daniel 1:15-16) God gave them wisdom and understanding in all kinds of literature and learning in this wicked university. They were “10 times better” than all the others in the kingdom. (Daniel 1:18-20)
Godly character brings wisdom to live wisely in a wicked culture. It gives us guidance so we might enjoy God’s favor and blessing. Take time today and allow God to show you how to live separated lives in this culture. What things should you purpose not to defile yourselves with? What should you be “eating”? How should you treat those in authority? Remember the blessings of godly character and living by faith!
Children who are mighty in the land!
Scripture reading for June 25: Psalms 111-118
We all want the best for our children! As a parent, I will sacrifice for my children that they might fulfill their destiny and become great in the Lord and honor Him. I will do whatever it takes to provide for them, protect them, and instruct them to fulfill their God-given purpose! The readings for today give us the secret of how to secure the blessing of God on our children and see them become ‘mighty in the land’! (Psalm 112:2)
Psalm 111 praises the Lord for His faithfulness and mighty deeds and works on behalf of those who fear and honor Him. God has been gracious and compassionate on those who fear Him. He has provided food for them and kept His covenant! (Psalm 111:4-5) He has given them the land of other nations and shown His great power to His people! (Psalm 111:6) God has provided redemption for His people and given them His holy and awesome Name! (Psalm 111:9) These wonderful blessings from God brings a holy fear and respect which is the beginning of all wisdom and a successful life.
Psalm 112 continues in this same vein of thought. The fear of the Lord is the key to blessing of our offspring! When a man fears the Lord, he finds great delight in God’s Word and commands! He reads and meditates on the Word of God and applies it to his life. The application of truth because of respect and honor for God brings prosperity and success! (Joshua 1:8-9) (Psalm 112:1-3) God’s blessing is on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayers. His face is set against the wicked who do not fear Him. God longs to bless His children and make them mighty in the land. They are made mighty to be a testimony of the goodness and favor on those who fear and respect the One in supreme authority!
Those who fear the Lord will have light even in darkness! Remember the children of Israel had light during the plague of darkness! (Exodus 10:21-23) Those who fear the Lord are generous and give. They conduct their affairs with justice, doing what is fair and right in the sight of God because they fear and respect Him. Because of this, they will never be shaken! (Psalm 112:5-6) They will have no fear of bad news of enemy attack, war, or economic downturn! (Psalm 112:8-10) In the end, the wicked will waste away and come to nothing! Those who trust in the Lord and fear Him will lack nothing!
Does your life reflect the fear of the Lord and confidence in Him? What steps might you take today to help your children become mighty in the land?
Blessed–to be a blessing!
Scripture reading for June 15: Psalms 67-72
God delights in blessing his people! The Aaronic blessing begins Psalm 67 as a prayer. God blessing means that He lavishes His best gifts and presence on those He loves and calls to be His children. His face is shining or beaming with a smile of love and joy as He beholds His own people. This smile means abundant provisions of food and water. It means health to our bodies and protection from enemies. It means love and fruitfulness in our relationships and homes and a sense of knowing God and walking in His will. The Hebrew word “selah” follows this first verse and is a term meaning to pause and ponder the thought that has been presented.
Why does God love to bless His people? Surely it is because he loves and delights in His people. But this psalm stated another reason for the blessing. God wants to use a blessed people to share the knowledge of His ways on the earth among all peoples. (Psalm 67:2) God desires the worship of all who are made in His image and likeness! He is their Guide, Ruler and Judge! We are blessed to be a blessing! Nothing really belongs to us. We must keep the blessing moving and not hoard it to ourselves and our own use!
The result of being a blessing is that the earth will yield its harvest. The harvest ultimately is souls that will come to know and worship the Lord through the witness of God’s people. God wants all the ends of the earth to fear Him! (Psalm 67:6-7) We set up a cycle of blessing when we give to the Lord of our blessings so that others may hear and learn! As we give, we become like God Who is the ultimate Giver of everything. As we give, God is praised and worshiped and He moves upon the lost and draws them to salvation. As we give, we are blessed by God again with more abundance so that we can give even more to make Him known. The cycle goes on and multiplies blessings to the peoples of the earth!
“Now He Who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2nd Corinthians 9:10-11
The blessed man!
Scripture reading for June 3: Psalms 1-6
The Book of Psalms was the hymnbook of the Hebrew people and was used in worship and prayer. The word “psalm” denotes a “song sung to the accompaniment of a plucked instrument.” These psalms had at least seven different authors and were written over nearly a thousand years, from the time of Moses to the return from exile in Babylon. David was one of the primary authors of the psalms, and many reflect his own prayers, worship, fears, and desires as he experienced life in all it’s emotional ups and downs!
The first psalm was about a man who is blessed by God. The blessed person doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked. He also doesn’t stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. How does the blessed man know what wickedness is? Who is a sinner and what is a mocker? This man knows because he delights in the law of the Lord! He meditated on that law day and night. From that law he clearly understood good and evil, righteousness and wickedness.
The blessed man was described as a tree planted by streams of water. This tree was always bearing fruit and leafy and green because it’s roots were well-supplied with moisture and nutrients. Even when it was dry and hot, water from underground brought productivity. God abundantly supplied this man because of the Word he meditated on. What an encouraging picture to begin worship with!
This blessed man was contrasted with the wicked man. The wicked man was pictured as the chaff off of the wheat, that the wind blows away. It was only good for burning. Just like the chaff that was separated from the wheat by the wind, so the sinner and wicked man will not stand in the time of God’s judgment! They will be separated from the assembly of the righteous and blessed! God watches over the righteous to protect and reward them. God will also make sure the wicked perish.
How does this psalm point us to Jesus Christ? In what way or ways does this psalm help you in worship and joyful living? What doctrines are being taught in this first worship psalm? Does worship have a place in teaching doctrine?