BP
Two girlfriends have requested prayer for their husband's BP issues this past week. As I was praying for one, God said from now on when you see BP remember you are Blessed People!
I heard a sermon once that we shouldn't say, "God bless you," because God has already blessed us all by simply being God and giving us his Son. People tend to think of blessings in material ways. God blessed me with this family, with this college scholarship, with a car, etc.
“The Greek word translated blessed in the passages below is makarioi which means to be fully satisfied. It refers to those having God’s favor, no matter the circumstances.”
You will notice in these verses there is no mention of material prosperity.
Blessed are the poor in spirit. . . . Blessed are those who mourn. . . . Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake . . . Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you. Matthew 5:3-4, 10-11
Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it! Luke 11:28
Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven. Romans 4:7
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial. James 1:12
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. . . . Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Revelation 14:12, 19:9
The lyrics in today's song reveal that often our blessings come from trials for it is in those trials that we draw close to God and therein is the place of greatest blessing.
Hold fast to this truth about God's blessing to come to a thousand generations.
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." Exodus 34:6-7 That's the blessing.
The next time someone says a simple, "God bless you," you reply, "Oh, He already has!"
I'm going to type part of the lyrics of The Blessing" on cards to give to people in hopes they grasp what God's blessing really is and that they realize because of who he is and what he has done, is doing and will do we are Blessed People.
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. May His favor be upon you and a thousand generations and Your family and your children and their children, and their children May His presence go before you and behind you, and beside you All around you, and within you He is with you, He is with you."
The Songs
"Blessings" by Laura Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQan9L3yXjc
"The Blessing" Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp6aygmvzM4
