BLESSINGS

 

BLESSING

If you're at all familiar with the Bible

you know it's filled with promises wonderful.

Promises that come true in your life and mine

as the Bible applies to everyone at all times.

You've noticed that blessings are given

freely to one's and others' children.

Many blessings were presented at the temple

by God's dedicated faithful people.

Zechariah was a priest, upright in God's sight,

who obeyed God's commandments, always doing right.

Zechariah blessed his son John (the Baptist)

with God's words of wisdom.

Luke records that Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit.

How, like Moses, Zachariah’s face must have been lit!

John was to prepare the way for Jesus' coming

as a witness preaching about forgiveness from sins.

This blessing or benediction was ordained by God

even before John the Baptist was born, we're told.

What an amazing blessing

to the world was coming.

When Mary visited Elizabeth in Judea (once Israel),

after Mary’s visitation from the angel Gabriel,

she blessed Mary with these words, “Blessed is she who has believed

that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

Similar to the promise Gabriel spoke to Mary

when he told her of Elizabeth’s pregnancy:

“For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

A promise we should recall when times are hard.

When Jesus was a baby, He was dedicated to the Lord,

in accordance with what is written in the Law of the Lord.

Dedicated, or consecrated, to the Lord.

Because of Christmas, we know His birth would change the world.

Simeon, righteous and devout, blessed Jesus in the temple.

A blessing that extends even today to all peoples.

This eternal blessing is found in believing

the One who came so our sins would be forgiven.

Anna, a prophetess,

also blessed Jesus,

stating He would redeem Jerusalem.

Anna's words were filled with God's wisdom.

Blessings.

Earth changing.

Bringing about a change for the good.

Christmas, Jesus' birth, changed the world - it would.

* * * * *

Are your spoken words blessings

or do they come out as cursing?

If your words are full of doubt,

than a cursing has been let out.

Unfortunately we tend to talk more about what's wrong,

than we do about our many blessings received our lifelong.

Words have power. What we say affects us emotionally,

we often find, as well as physically and spiritually.

Our words have power to tear down or to enrich,

not only ourselves, but others within our reach.

Our words make a lasting imprint on others.

May our words always bless one another.

God has spoken blessings over you too.

In His faithfulness He cares for you.

May you realize God's love for you.

Here's a blessing from God's Word to you:

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

(This is the blessing Zechariah spoke regarding his son, John:)

"And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;

for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

to give his people the knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins,

because of the tender mercy of our God,

by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the path of peace."

Luke 1:76-79

(This is the blessing Elizabeth spoke over Mary:)

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb,

and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

In a loud voice she exclaimed:

“Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the child you will bear!

But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord

should come to me

As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears,

the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

Blessed is she who has believed

what what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

Luke 1:39-45

When the time of their purification

according to the Law of Moses had been completed,

Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

(as it is written in the Law of the Lord,

"Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord").

Luke 2:22-23

(This is the blessing Simeon spoke regarding Jesus:)

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon,

who was righteous and devout.

He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,

and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die

before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.

When the parents brought in the child Jesus

to do for him what the custom of the Law required,

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel."

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:

"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel,

and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.

And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Luke 2:25-35

(Anna also blessed Jesus:)

There was also a prophetess, Anna,

the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

She was very old;

she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

and then was a widow until she was 84.

She never left the temple but worshiped night and day,

fasting and praying.

Coming up to them at that very moment,

she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child

to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38

(Jesus) took the children in his arms,

put his hands on them and blessed them.

Mark 10:16

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us in the heavenly realms

with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3

Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.

My brethren, these things out not so to be.

James 3:10 (KJV)

As surely as I live, declares the Lord,

I will do to you the very things I heard you say.

Numbers 14:28

In the Old Testament, Abraham blessed each of his 12 sons.

Who can you bless today? Blessing someone is not soon forgotten.

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