Be Blessed

Okay, right as I’m leaving the house tonight to go to a lab and type this, I’m tested on what the Holy Spirit had revealed should be my topic for this week’s post.  One of my teenage neighbors is leaning on my car -as if it’s his own- and when one of his friends jokingly suggests he show more respect, he gives a pretty nasty response.  I was put off by his actions, but thank God I chose to pray for him (and myself) instead of thinking badly of him or cursing him, even in my mind.  Now, being honest, this is not to say that it couldn’t have gone the other way -because God is still working on me- but I can thank God I can testify that I’m not where I was.  The Holy Spirit held my tongue.  Because of my yielding to God’s word, it was him who handled the situation, not Michael.  Thank you Lord!

The way we choose to respond to the provocation, snares, plots, schemes, etc. of those who oppose us determines whether, or not, we’re blessed:

1.    Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Lk 6:27-28; Ro 12:14).  Please keep in mind that this is a command, not a request.  So try to live, so that you can also testify that when you’re cursed, you bless; when you’re persecuted, you endure it; when you’re slandered, you answer kindly. (1 Co 4:12-13)   

2.    Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him (Pr 24:17-18).  First of all, let me point out that it says, ‘when your enemy falls’, not if (2 Pe 3:9-10; Pr 29:6).  But in these verses what’s suggested is that God will give you the punishment reserved for the sinner if you rejoice in his punishment, as he did with Edom (see Ps 137:7; Eze 35:15).  Those of us who know better are held to a higher standard.

3.    God is omniscient.  He already knows about your enemy and all that he’s doing and saying, whether it’s to your face or behind your back (Ps 147:5; Job 28:24; Heb 4:13).  For those of us who trust in God, in the shelter of his presence he hides us from the intrigues of men; in his dwelling he keeps us safe form accusing tongues (Ps 31:20).  But he wants to hear from us too.  He wants us to share all of our thoughts about what we’re dealing with, the good, the bad, and the ugly (Ps 8:3; 62:8).  He’s God.  He can take it!

4.    Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Mt 5:11-12; Lk 6:22-23).  Things are almost never as they appear to be.  Although it may look like a follower of Christ is cursed, they are indeed blessed.  And it’s not because I say so, but Jesus Christ himself says so!  Notice that it’s the Jesus in a person that guarantees this blessing (see post titled “In Jesus’ Name”).  See to it that when you’re treated poorly that it’s because of Jesus, not because of any wrongdoing on your part. 

…God doesn’t promise any blessing for that.

   

...Will You Not Be Accepted?

God does not show partiality or favoritism, but accepts anyone who chooses to show reverence for him and simply do what’s right (Acts 10:34-35; Ro 2:11).  He rewards those who believe in him, and earnestly seek him (Heb 11:6).  He honor’s those who honor him (1 Sam 2:30).  So, why is it that many people find themselves –like Cain- angry and downcast when the Lord looks with favor upon the Abels of the world (Ge 4:4-5)?

I believe they’ve chosen to accept Satan’s lie that it’s them who haven’t been accepted, as opposed to their paltry or lacking service, gift, or worship (While Abel brought God some his first and best, Cain merely brought some.  In other words, Abel brought tithes and offering, while Cain brought pocket change.  Cain showed his disdain for God in the way that he gave.)  And since they believe that lie, they consequently believe the lie that their brother is their competition for God’s love.  And degrading, insulting, or even eliminating their ‘competition’ is their only chance at being accepted by God.  And unfortunately, we see this played out in the lives of modern day Cain and Abels every day.  Insert your example here. 

No one’s perfect, but if you’re putting forth an earnest effort to please God, instead of man, by living according to his word, you will have people insult, persecute and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Jesus (Gal 1:10; Jn 12:43; Mt 5:11).  Daniel went through it, as well as the Three Hebrew Boys (Dan 3 and 6).  And David often prayed to God to deal with the folks who were after him unjustly (Ps 40:14; 63:9; 69:4).

We’re to rejoice and be glad when we’re persecuted because of righteousness because we’re blessed, and are rewarded for our faith in heaven, and on earth (Mt 5:3-12; 10:22).  When we follow God’s word, in faith, we have the opportunity to undergo trials with comfort and protection, and come out of them approved, unscathed, promoted, and prosperous (Dan 3:24-30; 6:16-28; 2 Tim 2:15).  We all suffer -in one way or another- but surely it’s better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil (1 Pe 3:17). 

    

 

The Apple of His Eye

I think people generally have a tendency to accept what others have to say about them and their potential, as well as what they have to say about themselves, while paying no mind to what God says about us.  I don’t know about you, but I’d listen to a God that’s all-powerful, all knowing, all present, and who’s made me, and therefore knows my purpose and potential, before I listen to what anyone else says about me, including myself (Gen 1:1; Ac 15:18; Ps 139:7-10; Col 1:15-20).   

We were ALL created, through and through, in our mother’s womb by God, and he knows us, through and through.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made, indeed (Ps 139:13-14)!  We were ALL made in his spiritual image, meaning we’re the only beings that God has created that have the potential to be saved.  We have the opportunity to be called children of his, and as a part of his spiritual family, have some residual powers and authorities that only one that is called a child of God can have (Gen 1:27); however, not all have chosen to be saved and born again, so not all can rightly claim to be a child of God (Jn 3:5-6; Ro 10:9-10)!   

Those who accept his gift of salvation were predestined, are called, justified, and glorified (Ro 8:28-30).  Anyone who asks and believes is forgiven (Ps 130:4; Mt 6:14; Mk 2:7), cleansed (Ps 51:2; Jn 15:3; Ac 10:15), redeemed (Job 19:25; Ps 44:26; 1 Pe 1:18), restored (Ps 23:3; Na 2:2; 1 Pe 5:10), righteous (Isa 42:6; Ro 1:16-17; 2 Co 5:21), approved (Jn 6:27; 1 Co 11:19; 1 Th 2:4), protected (Ps 37:25; 121:7; Ro 8:31).  They are over comers (Jn 16:33; 1 Jn 5:4-5; Rev 21:7), provided for (Ps 37:25; Mt 6:31; Lk 12:29), prosperous (Jer 29:11; Ac 17:11).  You can be the head and not the tail (Deut 28:13, 44).  If you follow his word you are wise, discerning, knowledgeable and blessed (Pr 11:30; 28:7; Ac 18:24-26; Mt 5:1-12), and so on, and so on. 

We are the apples of God’s eye (Deut 32:10; Ps 17:8)!  And if you couldn’t tell by the above, God loves us (Jn 3:16; 15:13).