Last week I attended a dinner for one of my favorite ministries HOPE INTERNATIONAL.
One of the speakers said... "You are blessed to be a blessing". And I was struck by the truth and weightiness of that statement.
YOU ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING...
Lets look at what the word blessing means and how it applies to us...
To see what the word blessing means we need to look at it's Hebrew roots. The word blessing is...
BERAKHAH.. pronounced "bra-KHAH.
It carries the idea "to kneel".
Every word in the Hebrew language is related to an image or action, something a person can sense. There is no abstract imagery in the Hebrew language
The word blessing is the idea of bowing or kneeling down in gratitude for something someone has done for you.
So, a blessing is an act that someone does for you that causes you to be grateful to them.
And where do blessings come from?
EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT COMES DOWN FROM ABOVE, COMING DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF HEAVENLY LIGHTS, WHO DOES NOT CHANGE LIKE SHIFTING SHADOWS. James 1:17
There are so many verses in the bible that talk of God being the source of blessings... "good and perfect gifts".
In James 1:17 God is called "the Father of Heavenly lights". Light in this verse is a very Hebraic term for "life and goodness" and also it lets us know that God made the heavens... something God called "good".
James then goes on to say "who does not change like shifting shadows", letting the readers know that God's character does not change. He is the source of blessings and always will be. It is in His nature to "bless".
So every good thing you have comes from God the Father. Your life, your breath, you health, you family, your food, your home, your job, your children, your pets, you clothing, your education, you talents, your wholesome passions, your car, you money, you hobbies, your SALVATION... the sun, the rain, the breeze, and on and on!
If you are reading this you are blessed. You probably own a computer or ipad or cell phone! A blessing most of the world can't even conceive!
You are continually being blessed by God!
YOU ARE BLESSED!
And the reaction all of the blessed of the world should be to "bow the knee" to the Father! We, the blessed, should be thankful.
The apostle Paul says in Ephesians 5:20...
"ALWAYS GIVING THANKS TO GOD FOR EVERYTHING"
God wants us to be aware of His benevolent hand... and love and grace and kindness and mercy that He is filled with for us.
And our reaction should always be a spirit of thanks and gratitude. Make sure you let your Father know know by thanking Him for His blessings!
Proverbs, the teaching of the wise to make the young and wise even wiser, says...
"THE ONE WHO BLESSES OTHERS IS ABUNDANTLY BLESSED"
We are to take and use our blessing not only for our welfare, but for others too!
We are to let the river of abundant blessings from God flow through us so we can splash blessing on those that are near and far!
It works like a circle... God blesses you and you thank Him and bless others and God blesses you and you thank Him and bless others... and on and on!
Don't let blessings stop with you... be a blessing!
A smile can be a blessing or a kind word or a sweet act or money for a godly cause, or housing someone when they are down and out... start with those around you and then widen your "circle"!
Blessings are to flow and be shared. I can't think of a better way of blessing God, kneeling in thanks, than to spread His blessings in His name to others!
Are you a blessing? Is your life a blessing circle?
Today be a blessing to someone as a way of thanking God for what He has done for you!!!
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