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Gleanings From The Word

Category: James

  • A Prescription For Blessing

    A Prescription For Blessing

    Prescription pad from Dr Jesus - Prescription for blessing

    I’ve never met a person who didn’t want to be blessed in one  way or another. Did you know that there is a clear-cut prescription for how to be blessed in the Bible?

    You are likely familiar with the Beatitudes (the blessed be’s) found in Matthew 5:3-12 in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. That’s a summary of sorts of what the Bible teaches about being blessed. The Bible has a lot more to say on the subject.

    Now, we need to be careful when speaking of blessing, as the term is often misused. There is a form of pseudo-Christianity out there that teaches God wants you to have whatever you want in this life. That’s a heretical lie. God is more concerned about our holiness than our temporary earthly happiness.

    To be blessed is to find peace, hope, and joy in the Lord regardless of what is happening in our earthly circumstances.

    Here is a sampling of what the Bible teaches about finding your blessing.

    And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28:1-2

    Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7

    Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
    nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.     Psalm 1:1

    Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

    How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. Psalm 119:1

    I could carry on and list dozens of verses. From Genesis to Revelation, the Word speaks of the blessing of the Lord resting on those who are His.

    Jesus is the prescription for blessing. His way is narrow and not always easy, but it is the only pathway to true hope, peace, love, joy, and blessing.

    Turn to Him. Know Him. Trust Him. Put Him first and follow Him.

    Hallelu Yah,

    Be blessed,

    Kevin

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  • Ed and Ned talk about God, injustice and suffering.

    Ed and Ned talk about God, injustice and suffering.

    group of senior men having coffee at loacl restaurant

    A group of old farmers and retirees sat around the table at the local restaurant in their usual chairs. They were solving all the problems of the world as older men often do. And some of us not-so-old types, too!

    I sat with them next to two fellows I knew well. Let’s call them Ned and Ed. The conversation got past politics, and that took a while. 

    Ned and Ed pontificated about the latest agricultural developments and lamented agribusiness’s rise over farming. Being true farmers, they also complained about the price of gas and the weather. 

    As the morning wore on, the subject drifted to religion and faith.

    Old Ned said to Ed, “If there is a God, why isn’t He doing more about the poverty, suffering, and injustice in the world? Surely He could easily do more than He seems to be doing now.”

    Ed replied, “You know Ned, that’s an excellent question, but I’m afraid that one of these days, God will ask me the same thing.”

    If we are honest, that comment should cause us to say “ouch” at least a little.

    What do we do about all the suffering, poverty, and injustice? Those are huge problems, and we are unlikely to solve them all, but we can make a difference. How should we live as Christians?

    We need to walk in keeping with the Royal Law.

    If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. James 2:8 ESV

    Complaining about the winter weather, injustice, and poverty will not make it go away, nor will waiting for “the government” to fix it.

    We cannot solve all the world’s problems, but if we committed to loving our neighbor as ourselves, we could make a difference one person at a time. Loving your neighbor is a huge step toward eliminating those problems.

    One moment at a time and one step at a time. Let’s love others as Christ loves us.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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