Blessings Passed Down

 

Blessings Passed Down

Genesis 25: ⁷ This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years. ⁸ Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. ⁹ And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, ¹⁰ the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife. ¹¹ And it came to pass, after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac dwelt at Beer Lahai Roi.

 

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Abraham’s father, Terah, lived two hundred five years. His grandfather lived one hundred nineteen years. And his ancestor Seth lived five hundred years. Terah may have heard directly from Seth regarding the Garden of Eden and the flooding of the earth. Terah passed this information to Abraham who took it another step by believing everything GOD said. He passed this information on to Isaac.

 

My Observations:

• Ismael must have gotten word that his father, Abraham, died.
• Ismael worked with Isaac to bury their father.
• Isaac grew up listening to Abraham and heard about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

 

Hearing about the miracles of GOD seemed to place a fire in the heart of those who could receive it. This fire guided each person’s actions. GOD promised that Abraham would be the father of many nations and he lived his entire life as the chosen one.

 

Isaac would now accept the responsibility of being the chosen one to give birth to nations. But what about Ismael. He too was blessed with forming nations. GOD’s blessings cascaded down to generations to follow. Abraham was buried in the same cave as Sarah. The deed was passed to Isaac.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD mention Abraham’s age so descriptively to Moses?
• Do you worry about age?
• If you measure your accomplishments, will you stop so you can focus on GOD’s blessed calling for you right now?

Complete Understanding

Complete Understanding

2 Corinthians 1: ¹² We are proud that our conscience assures us that our lives in this world, and especially our relations with you, have been ruled by God-given frankness and sincerity, by the power of God's grace and not by human wisdom. ^13-14 We write to you only what you can read and understand. But even though you now understand us only in part, I hope that you will come to understand us completely, so that in the Day of our Lord Jesus you can be as proud of us as we shall be of you.

 

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When I become a parent, I will correct the list of complaints I had against my parents. But then I became one and got “complete understanding.” When I am the boss I will change how things are done. But I became one and things did not go as I thought. But now I had “complete understanding.” Running a business will be easy is what I said until I ran one and it wasn’t so easy. But now I had complete understanding.

 

Paul send his letter with a caveat. He did not include some of the stuff that would be hard to understand. Luke wrote about Paul being bit by a venomous snake and remaining alive. Paul did not write this about himself and did not include many other miracles he witnessed or performed. He knew his focus was not to point to himself, but JESUS.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to be ruled by HIS holiness.
• GOD wants me to be as sincere as I can when I speak about HIM.
• GOD wants me to know I will not have “complete understanding” until HE transforms me to HIS true creation.

 

Confusion seems to be the norm during this life. I mean, when one person says “the truth”, another comes along to refute what was said. Human brawls increase rips in families, neighborhoods and communities. Disunity increases. Slander undermines the ability to help.

 

BUT GOD completely understands and has given us only a tiny revelation of HIMSELF. JESUS spent a little time being human and was tempted in every way a human could be tempted. HE died and was raised from the dead. HE has all authority. I am glad HE has complete understanding and wants to share it with me.

 

Challenge

• Has anyone ever questioned how and what you do without having complete understanding?
• Have you ever questioned GOD or complained about HIS plan for your life?
• Will you step back from the current situation and know GOD has complete understanding over your situation and has already added HIS love to it just for you?

Plan for Blessing

Plan for Blessing

Acts 9: ¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

¹¹ So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹² And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

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“Oh no!” I said out loud as I looked at the clock. I had overslept and missed the interview. I checked the clock and the alarm was set, but every once in a while it would malfunction if I did not use care with the switch. “My life is ruined” I thought immaturely. Days later I got a call for an interview with another company. I graduated with a job.

• There have been many times when I thought the worst.
• There have been many times when I wondered if GOD is even listening.
• There have been many times when I was going through something and just wanted the pain to be over.

Ananias was summoned by the LORD to go meet Saul. The LORD explained that Saul is praying and has seen a vision of Ananias laying hands on him to receive his sight. Saul had no idea this conversation was going on, but the plan for the blessing was getting set up.

• GOD has a plan to bless me.
• GOD is working when I do not hear the conversations HE has about me.
• GOD gets excited to reveal HIS plan about me to others.

Waiting on a blessing can sometimes feel difficult. I mean especially when the wait has been for years, or even decades. BUT GOD has a blessing planned for those who keep their trust in HIM.

Saul, while misguided, believed he was doing things for GOD. His fire for hatred would some day be used for love. GOD saw this and developed a plan. HE did the same for me. HE saw the places HE had for me from far off. I only had one interview offered to me and I got the job. This sent me on a road to hear GOD. I am grateful HIS plan is unbreakable.

• Are you worried that you have not heard from GOD yet?
• Do you think HE has forgotten you?
• Can you see that you do not have to trust harder or live better to please GOD?
• Will you keep praying, knowing HIS plan for you is greater than you could ever imagine?

What I do have I give you

What I do have I give you

Acts 3: Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. ² And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; ³ who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. ⁴ And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” ⁵ So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. ⁸ So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. ⁹ And all the people saw him walking and praising God. ¹⁰ Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

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Desiring superpowers, I grabbed a towel and shoved one end in the back of my shirt as a cape. Holding my arms out in front of me, I circled the yard as if I were flying. I was invincible! Later, when I fell and skinned my knee, I went in the house crying.

• There were times when I wanted to feel special.
• There were times when I desired to be stronger.
• There were times when I wished I could be something more than what I was.

Peter had experienced GOD’s mighty power in his life on several occasions. He just witnessed tongues of fire and preached so boldly that thousands people believed. He was so filled with excitement that he told a lame man to walk and GOD healed him. This was done so others can see and believe in GOD.

• GOD wants me to be excited about HIM so HE can use me.
• GOD wants me to be ready to be used by HIM at a moment’s notice.
• GOD wants me to want others to see HIM, and not see me.

Wanting to perform miracles is nice, BUT GOD wants me to want the miracle to happen, whether through me or if GOD chooses to do it without a person. The goal of miracles is not to make a human feel special. GOD needs to be praised for that is where the power comes form.

Miracles cannot happen with half-belief. Peter had to be restored by JESUS and even then GOD had to show him that the power comes from HIM. Some people cry out things in the “name of JESUS” and nothing happens. GOD works through those who are fully restored. I am grateful GOD restores me.

• Are you calling on JESUS to heal and nothing is happening?
• Do you believe in GOD fully to restore you and that person to being whole?
• If you know you have a part of you that does not believe, then will you give the small part that does to someone today?

Examples

Examples

John 21: ²⁵ And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

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In the middle of the argument, I sited examples of what “I” was doing well and what the other person was doing wrong. This justification would surely bring reason to the situation. Wrong! It only made matters worse. “I wonder if I should have used better examples” I said to myself.

• There have been many times when I have tried to be heard.
• There have been many times when I stated things in the past to get my point across.
• There have been many times when I told GOD to look at the pitiful good things I just did to offset the mountain of sins I committed.

JESUS did far more than what is written. HE still does. Every hair that is grown is under HIS command. The FATHER gave it all to HIM. Every heartbeat, every breath of air is all HIS. What can I hold onto? Nothing.

• GOD wants me to truly realize everything is HIS.
• GOD wants me to stop trying to hold onto people, jobs, money and health, that are not mine to hold onto.
• GOD wants me to give myself to HIM and use my life to point to the few examples that are written about HIM.

When GOD says “love is patient, kind and keeps no record” why do I think HE is punishing me for “that” sin? Or, better yet, why do I think “that” person deserves to be punished for their sins? GOD did amazing things that are not written. HE wants me to focus on those things rather than on sins HE hasn’t even recorded. JESUS is my amazing Savior!

• When is the last time you looked at the many things JESUS has done in your life?
• Will you take a moment to look back at the many things HE has done for you and others?
• Will you praise GOD out loud today without feeling embarrassed?

As You Are

As You Are

John 21: ¹¹ Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.

¹⁴ This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

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Thinking I had to be just like other people, I mimicked several folk’s moves. I wore the styles of one person, talked like another, and discussed car desires of another. An observer, who knew me before I started mimicking, asked “What are you doing?” I said I wanted to be successful. They replied, “Just be yourself.”

• At one point I thought I did not have what it took to be successful.
• At one point I thought I had to be like someone else, because I felt the way I was could not possibly be successful.
• At one point I desired to be successful, but was scared that people would see my flaws.

Peter came to his senses and started helping drag the huge catch of fish to shore. Not only did they catch one hundred and fifty-three fish, something amazing happened. The net did not break. The net was just as it was before, but did amazing things.

• GOD wants to use me just as I am.
• GOD wants to do amazing things through me without needing me to be someone else.
• GOD wants me to point people to HIS power and only I can reach a certain group of people HE has given to me.

When JESUS called HIS disciples, HE never said, “Change for ME” rather HE said “Follow ME.” This bold statement enables me to remain who I am, yet follow HIS examples. HE also takes care of the miracles. The miracle of the net shows me HE can take my pitiful efforts and use them for miraculous things. I am glad GOD delivers, every time, in miraculous ways.

• Do you feel inadequate?
• Do you think you cannot possibly be used for something large?
• Will you stop thinking it is your power that makes you succeed rather GOD’s power?

Alone

Alone

John 7: After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. ² Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. ³ His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. ⁴ For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” ⁵ For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

⁶ Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. ⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. ⁸ You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” ⁹ When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.

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Excited about my renewed faith, I went back to my “friends” to tell them about what GOD was teaching me. “This group of people should be excited about my faith in GOD” I thought as I told them about my journey away from the club scene. No one said anything bad to my face but I noticed communication from them to me was slowly dissipating. I felt alone.

• There have been many times when I felt alone because I believed in GOD.
• There have been many times I have felt alone because I wanted a certain group of people to believe in GOD but they would not.
• There have been many times when I could see the struggles people go through and I felt alone because they would not turn to GOD as the answer.

“Why don’t YOU show YOURSELF to the world if YOU are so great?” JESUS’s brothers implied in their disbelief of HIM being GOD. Even family did not believe in HIM. Was Mary, HIS mother, lying when she told everyone about the virgin birth? No! But they still could not understand just how powerful GOD is.

• GOD wants me to understand that I am not alone.
• GOD wants me to know that HE is with me always.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS power even though many around me will believe in humans over GOD.

Belief in GOD can only be measured by GOD. No human can look at me or someone else and tell how much faith in GOD a person has. BUT GOD knows. HE gives me a measure of faith to believe that HE can and will do anything. HE heals, protects, guides and grows me. HE answers prayers to those who seek HIS face.

Wisdom will be confounded to those who do not believe in HIS power. GOD desires that I place all my faith in HIS teachings and know the battle I face is spiritual. I place my faith in GOD.

• Are you alone in your belief in JESUS?
• Have those around you given up on you because you believe strongly in JESUS?
• Will you keep your faith and pray for everyone GOD sends to you or who HE sends you to?

Prove It

Prove It

John 6: ⁸ One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, ⁹ “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”

¹⁰ Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. ¹¹ And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. ¹² So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” ¹³ Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. ¹⁴ Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

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Expecting the answer to be “no”, I reluctantly asked anyway. “Can we have our event?” I asked those in charge. “Perhaps… let me look into it” was one of the leader’s response. Skeptically, I waited. “I’m sorry, we do not have the budget for the event” was the final reply. “See, I knew you didn’t have the power to do anything” I thought to myself about the leader.

• Many times I have been skeptical.
• Many times I have not believed.
• Many times I desired to see what “I” wanted to see so that I could believe.

Andrew told JESUS, “All we have is a boy’s lunch to feed thousands of people.” The boy may have been the only sole willing to give. JESUS saw the crowd had left their homes to follow HIM in order to be healed. Filled with compassion, HE performed a miracle by taking the donated items and stretching them to feed everyone, with much left over.

• GOD wants me to be willing to give what little talents I have.
• GOD wants me to share in making the miracle happen.
• GOD wants me to know HIS power is absolute and I can see HIM perform every day.

Childlike faith is something GOD wants me to have, but my desires sometimes get in the way. I mean, when I want GOD to fix the situation the way I want, at the time I want, I set HIM up for failure when it doesn’t happen. GOD wants me on the other side of the “prove it” kind of thinking.

HE desires that I say “Here is my tiny part, do with it what you will.” Meanwhile, I can expect HIM to do something amazing without having to see the result. GOD does not mind showing HIS power. HE is my source of strength.

• Are you pouting because GOD has not done what you wanted, the way you wanted?
• Do you think GOD is powerless because HE has not bowed down to your request?
• Will you drop your skepticism and believe in GOD as a child by giving HIM your talent today?