Blessing
Friday, August 14, 2020 Good morning, Lord V.O.D.: Revelation 3:14,20 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: M.O.M.: Psalm 27:13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Today's reading: PSALM 91-93 ROMANS 15:1-13
Blessing
Folks who have been in churches with more formal worship are accustomed to having the speaker give a formal benediction at the end of the service. It is a pronouncing of a blessing over the people. You can hear benedictions in Paul's writings and these are usually at the end of a letter. Today's reading has one in the middle of a letter to the Romans. This benediction is simply an ending to the opening thought. Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Paul speaks a blessing of hope to the reader. I have known people through the years who were so comfortable to be around because they always were so positive and encouraging. They spoke with an attitude of hope and peace.
Paul knew that the human nature in some of us would prevent being a blessing. He knew to speak a real blessing comes from being blessed and humbly showing it in our daily living and so he wrote: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14
To speak blessings comes from a heart that is at peace with God. I will always believe that each of us is a blessing waiting to be employed by the Holy Spirit of God.
Again, God will not empower those whom He does not control.
How much would you really like to be a blessing to those around you today? Go back and read the first 13 verses of Romans, chapter 15. First, we read we must be strong; (when I am weak I am strong, 2 Cor. 2:10) We must be strong to bear the failings of the weak and that not to please ourselves-but to please hour neighbor to build him or her up. The scriptures are written so we might have hope. Verses 5&6 are another benediction in the middle of the writing. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We read that all this involves bringing glory to God. Being blessed, speaking blessings, and being a blessing is all about bringing glory to God. It is not to make ourselves feel better. It is about loving our neighbor as much as we love ourselves out of the love we have for God.
So, how do we speak blessings to the proud and the 'superior'? How are we a blessing to 'the smartest guy in the room'? First, pray that you are not that person. Put God on the throne of your life. Kick self off the throne. Jesus is Lord. Living this way is a hard thing for some of us.
Do not judge but love. Look past the 'smartest guy' part to the part of the 'smartest guy' that is hurting and needs to feel God's blessing.
The most timid in the room just wants to be loved like the rest of us so let the peace of the Lord in your heart lead you to quietly bless them.
All of us are a blessing God has planned for someone today. If that does not excite you just a little bit, maybe you need to spend a little more time in God's peaceful, loving-presence. I know I do.
Tell God you want to be that blessing He has planned for you to be today-the blessing to bring Him glory and someone encouragement.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven, I know you want to use me to be a blessing. Forgive me for not listening and for trying to be on the throne of my life. You are Lord, not me. Merciful God of love and blessing. In the name of Jesus, Amen