Blessed?

Have you been blessed? In America it’s most likely you have, after sneezing. Several origins are given, though none go back to 77 AD when it was already in practice. Currently, it is "a socially recommended response," according to Wikipedia.

Or, perhaps you prepared the meal and when grace was given, “Bless the hands that prepared this food,” was included. Southerners often use a form of the word, “Bless my soul,” or “Bless his heart,” when nothing else comes to mind.

It has a specific meaning, and we should understand why and where it is used in the Bible. I like this paragraph from an article written by Jim Forest:

"'Happy' isn't good enough," Rabbi Steven Schwarzschild once told me. "The biblical translator who uses such a word should change jobs, maybe write TV comedies with nice happy endings. The problem is that, if you decide you don't like 'blessed,' there isn't a single English word that can take its place. You might use a phrase like 'on the right track' or 'going in the right direction.' Sin, by the way, means being off the track, missing the target. Being 'blessed' means you aren't lost -- you're on the path the Creator intends you to be on. But what you recognize as a blessing may look like an affliction to an outsider. Exchanging 'blessed' for 'happy' trivializes the biblical word. You might as well sum up the Bible with a slogan like, 'Have a nice day'."

The root of 'happy' refers to luck, as in happenstance, haphazard, hapless -- a far cry from the holiness imparted in the Greek word makarios or the Hebrew baruk. Or the Hebrew ashre used in the first Psalm:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (Psalms 1:1 KJV)

When Christ said in Matthew 5:3-11:
(3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
(5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
(6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
(7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
(8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
(9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
(10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

He could not have meant that we would be happy when we were reviled and persecuted. We would however, be blessed as we grew in Christian understanding and remained on the path God intends for us.

As Jesus said: … blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (Luke 11:28b KJV)

Complaint Department

I’m in the process of working with our Department of Labor to resolve two separate issues affecting my life. I tried working with the out-sourced companies, but their responses have not been informative and lack a bit in customer service.

A young couple made travel arrangements to celebrate their first wedding anniversary, including airline tickets, a small cruise package and hotel arrangements. Planning ahead, they did this months in advance, watching their limited budget. They did not think of planning for a jury duty that did not take their travel plans into consideration. Neither the airline nor cruise line responded to the government’s change in their plans, no refunds, lacking a bit in customer service.

As with the above examples, does it sometimes appear that God is lacking in “customer service” too? Do we complain to God, or about God? Do we hear His answers?

When Christ cried out … about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46 KJV) He was not complaining about God’s absence, He was calling out to God for an answer. The resurrection was God’s response.

Job was able to complain to God: Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. (Job 7:11 KJV)

Though he was encouraged to curse God (complain about God) and die, Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. (Job 2:9 KJV), he was able to respond:

But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. (Job 2:10 KJV)

Sometimes it takes an effort on God’s part to get His message across to us. In Acts chapter 10, Peter was prepared to talk to God. He was not prepared for what God told him. While Cornelius heard and responded by traveling, …Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, (Acts 10:17 KJV)

Three times the vision was given to Peter, and it still took Cornelius’ explanation before Peter understood:

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:34-35 KJV)

As Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. (2 Kings 20:16 KJV)

Aprons

An e-mail making the rounds tells the story of aprons. I wonder if people still have them – we have two, but seldom use them.

My mother and my mother-in-law used them to protect their dresses. Yes, they wore dresses at home during the day while they cleaned their houses. They cooked breakfast, prepared lunch and fixed dinner, wearing aprons to protect the house dresses.

The aprons usually had pockets, but if you needed to carry stuff it could be held up and used as a basket of sorts. It was used as hot pads, fans, brow wipers and even nose wipers.

Today someone would call the CDC when they realized how many germs might inhabit that apron.

Think of the Bible as an apron of sorts.

It protects much more than aprons protected housedresses. For thou hast been a shelter for me, (Psalms 61:3a KJV)

It helps to cleanse and keep. The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, (Numbers 14:18a KJV)

It comforts the very soul. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. (Psalms 94:18-19 KJV)

It provides strength at all times. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (Psalms 62:7 KJV)

It teaches many lessons. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34 KJV)

It commands, too. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20 KJV)

Security

For many years I felt secure in my salvation. I knew the verses, understood the doctrine. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

I never lost my faith that God sent His Son, and why. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

I followed the biblical instructions. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31 KJV)

For many years I leaned on those truths and waited. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalms 27:14 KJV)

I neglected to Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. (Psalms 100:2 KJV)

There were several very good reasons for not attending church, thus ignoring Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25 KJV)

Since no one saw a Christian witness in me, how could I be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15b KJV)

There was in my heart, always, the knowledge that When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. (Deuteronomy 4:30-31 KJV)

I was reminded The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. (2 Chronicles 15:2 KJV)

It was up to me to return to Him, to enjoy His love before I could say aloud Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. (Psalms 66:16 KJV)

Giving thanks and prayers, tell others Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised. (Psalms 113:2-3 KJV)

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a new stress-reduction buzzword. CNN’s article describes mindfulness training. If we pay attention to God’s word, we’ll find that He provided that training much earlier:

Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; (1 Chronicles 16:15 KJV)

Kimberly Williams defined it as "Mindfulness means to pay full attention to what you are doing, moment by moment."

Sounds easy? It really is not, is it? Maybe for us, but not for God. The Psalmist tell us that God always pays attention to mankind, and wonders why:

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? (Psalms 8:4 KJV)

The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. (Psalms 115:12 KJV)

And what do we get if we are mindful of Him?

He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. (Psalms 115:13-15 KJV)

Why are things different here on earth?

The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. (Psalms 115:16 KJV)

What have we done with it?

Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips: (Isaiah 17:10 KJV)

God continued sending His word to keep us mindful of Him:

That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: (2 Peter 3:2 KJV)

So, as mindfulness comes to the forefront of current buzzwords, remember to pay full attention to Him, and remember that we are His.

Songs

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19 KJV)

I’ve just visited a blog extolling music as a mood enhancer from morning to night. One of the album shots used was of the Rochesters. Long time readers know how much I enjoy their music!!

But when I started to list what we’re listening to, there is a wide variety, but all is Christian music.

Not just the Rochesters, who visit our church each year around Easter and we gather visitors from fifty miles in every direction; the Hinkle Family that our church supports in their nursing home ministry; Michael Wiggins, who sang with his evangelism – and we miss now that he’s pastoring a church. Wonderful examples of Christian music!

From Exodus through Revelation, songs praise our Lord and we can lift our voices with them. So many of our favorite hymns are direct from scripture. They don’t have to be new, and they don’t have to be ancient. There are joyous examples found in young and old.

Take Mina Oglesby and her album of Fannie Crosby’s hymns. Now there’s a companion piece for all day. Through them we know we are “Saved By Grace” and “Redeemed” while giving “To God Be the Glory.” And that’s just a few.

Or you can spend time with the Best of Mark Lowry and hear him ask “Mary, Did You Know …” and telling us “I Don’t Belong.” But my favorite is the list of “Things To Do.” “Most of all, to share a father’s love.’

That’s what Jesus came to do. Share a father’s love. It’s the first verse we memorize as children:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Well – maybe John 11:35 is really the first for children – but we all know that one!

There is one caveat – there is a Christian workout set of disks that we ladies have used for aerobics. They are marvelous playing while house cleaning, too. However, I suggest they NOT be played while driving. Not only is there a tendency to speed (not a good thing) but when you do pull up to stop signs, people look at you as though you are crazy as you tap the steering wheel to the beat!!

First Love

John writes so much of love. One of the first verses we teach children comes from him:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

We should never outgrow our love for this verse. John didn’t forget Jesus’ words. He wrote of Him again and again:

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16 KJV)

It is John who explains the love Christians have for others:

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3 KJV)

It also is John who explains that some do not:

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: (1 John 1:6 KJV)

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:4 KJV)

John gives us the very best of advice:

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6 KJV)

How can we walk as Jesus walked unless we spend time learning of Him, and why He was here? Or would Jesus speak to us as He to Peter:

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? (Matthew 15:16 KJV)

John wrote of what he came to understand:

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6 KJV)

After memorizing John 3:16, it would do well for us to memorize:

We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19 KJV)