25 Mar In God We Trust | Part 5 “The Abrahamic Blessing Comes to Me and Through Me”
Definition of Blessing:
1. A benediction. 2. Invoking a divine favor. 3. A wish for prosperity, success et. 4. Approval. 5. Anything that gives happiness.
1. WHERE DOES THE BLESSING COME FROM? IT COMES FROM GOD.
To bless or have a blessing always requires two parties. God blesses us to be a blessing. God had told Abraham to leave his home and he would bless him. Abraham forfeits his security and does what God tells him to do.
Q. Think about how Abraham was to leave his home and his mom and dad and everything behind, what do you think you would do if you were Abraham and why?
We work hard for our money, but God is the one who blesses us. We don’t need to worry because God takes care of us.
YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MEET YOUR OWN NEEDS BECAUSE GOD WANTS TO DO THAT FOR US.
Paul wrote this from prison. Philippi was filled with Roman citizens and had the biggest government the world had ever known. Paul was an Israelite speaking to the gentiles telling them that his God would supply their needs.
We are like sheep. We need a shepherd. Jesus is our good Shepherd.
Q. Have you ever thought of yourself as a sheep? Why is it so important for us to have a shepherd? ( Here is a great book regarding this: A Shepherds Look at Psalm 23)
2. WHO WAS THIS BLESSING INTENDED TO GO TO? CAN I RECEIVE IT?
Nathan told us a story of how he was called from his home to come out to the East Coast because of a job. He packed up his wife and 5 daughters, said goodbye to his parents and left the state he grew up in to travel here. They moved into a nice home, they had a nice car, he made lots of money. But then one day, his job was eliminated. Money became tight, but still, they did not want to take any government money. They believed God would supply all their needs and stood on His promises. They tithed on anything they received. If someone gave them $10, they would tithe a $1.
Q. If you were in their shoes, how do you think you would react to having it all and to having it all taken away ? Have you ever been in a similar situation yourself and how did you deal with it?
ANYONE AND AT ANYTIME CAN RECEIVE THE BLESSING THROUGH FAITH.
3. THE BLESSING COMPELS YOU TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT!
Nathan concludes his story of how they became debt free. They trusted God, they knew God had amazing plans for them but in the midst of their trial, it was difficult to see. Similar to Abraham, Nathan was sent from his home to be blessed by God. Similar to Abraham, at one point Nathan was not so sure God would pull through – ‘where is this blessing you promised??. Nathan and his wife trusted God even when they could not see the end in sight. They remained faithful and now Nathan and Tamara are debt free! Essentially, as they remained steadfast in their faith, God rebuked the devourer!
Q. How has God rebuked the devourer for you? How has he poured out His blessings upon you when you have remained faithful in your tithing even when you had barely anything to give?
THE BLESSING BRINGS BLESSINGS SO THAT THROUGH BLESSINGS WE BLESS OTHERS.
I CAN TRUST GOD WITH MY INCOME.
Pray for each other, the lost, campuses, nation and leaders.
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