“…DO NOT repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with
blessing,
because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing…” (1
Peter 3:9 NIV).
*
When someone says to
you “Have a blessed day” are they wishing
that you will “BE” a blessed person for the day or are they wishing you will
“RECEIVE” blessings for that day? Or is it something altogether different?
One of the meanings of blessed is well-being. Are they hoping that you will be happy person or are
they hoping for you to receive happiness, or are they hoping for the well-being of your soul throughout the
day? Is there a difference between a blessed person and someone who receives “good
things” that appear to be blessings?
Jesus describes truly “BLESSED” people. First, they are
blessed because of what God said to Abraham. “…I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless (favor, gift)
thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that
bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all
families of the earth be blessed…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).
And second, they are blessed because of what Jesus Christ did
on the cross. “…Christ hath REDEEMED us …That the “BLESSING of Abraham” might come on “us”… through Jesus Christ; …”
(Galatians 3:13-14 KJV).
A God-given blessing is the bestowed, abundant, divine, and
“UNMERITED” favor and gifts from God, the Holy Spirit. As
mentioned earlier, one of the meanings of “blessing” or berakah is to bestow happiness (divine happiness or joy) and well-being upon. “…God
blessed (gifted, favored, bestowed happiness (divine joy), etc. upon) them…”
(Genesis 1:28 KJV).
Jesus also describes a blessed person in the following ways:
“…BLESSED are the poor in spirit: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. BLESSED are they
that mourn: for they shall be comforted. BLESSED are the meek: for they shall
inherit the earth. BLESSED are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled. BLESSED are the merciful: for they shall obtain
mercy. BLESSED
are the pure in heart: for they
shall see God. BLESSED are the peacemakers: for they shall be
called the children of God. BLESSED are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. BLESSED are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,
and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake….”
(Matthew 5:3-11 KJV).
“…God ...does the work IN AND THROUGH all of us who are his… (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…The
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, Meekness, temperance…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "....The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [y]our lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT) “…The
Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE (by restoring or reuniting you to
God)…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…The Lord (the Word) is that Spirit (too)…”
(2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).
“…Jesus Christ is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians
13:5 KJV). “…[You]
CAN DO all things (produce fruit, display God’s power, and be blessed) THROUGH Christ
which strengtheneth [you]…”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV). “….Apart from [God, the
indwelling Holy Spirit]… [you cannot]...do nothing [cannot be truly ‘divinely’ blessed]…” (John 15:5 NIV).
These inward character
traits, produced and displayed by the indwelling
Holy Spirit, are attached to present promises and future rewards. “...You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is
more of God and his rule. “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can
you be embraced by the One most dear to you. “You’re blessed when you’re content with
just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud
owners of everything that can’t be bought. “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a
good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves
cared for. “You’re blessed when you get your inside
world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or
fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s
family. “You’re blessed when your commitment to God
provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s
kingdom. “Not only that—count yourselves blessed
every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to
discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they
are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for
though they don’t like it, I
do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets
and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble...” (Matthew 5:3-12 MSG).
“…“How” blessed (gifted, favored, and happy
(joyfull)) are the people whose God is the LORD!” (Psalm
144:15 NASB).
“…These THINGS (my
word) have I
SPOKEN unto you that my JOY (my kind of HAPPINESS) might REMAIN in you, and that your JOY (happiness) might be full…” (John 15:11 NIV). “…I have told you this
(the things in my WORD) so that my JOY (my Holy Happiness) may be in you and that your JOY (happiness) may be
complete…” (John 15:11 NIV).
To “BE” divinely blessed is a sign of a person’s relationship
with God, the Holy Spirit. Their
happiness or well-being is also a
SIGN of their awareness of his BLESSING (gifts, favors, bestowed joy) UPON
their lives). “…It is You (God, the Holy Spirit) who BLESSES
(gifts, favors, bestows happiness UPON) “THE” RIGHTEOUS MAN, O Lord,
You surround him (her)WITH FAVOR as with
a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).
To “BE” divinely blessed means you belong to God and are “one spirit” with him, with his purpose,
and according to his will. “…But he that
is joined (attached) unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…[They]…
BELONG TO Christ Jesus …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…YOU
BELONG to him …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “Know that the Lord is God!
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are HIS
PEOPLE...” (Psalms 100:3 KJV). [Everyone]… who believe the Good News share equally in the riches
inherited by God’s children. [They]…are [ALL]… part of the same
body, and enjoy the promise of blessings because THEY BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…”
(Ephesians 3:6 NLT).
To “RECEIVE” blessings is NOT necessarily a sign of a
person’s relationship with God, but it is a SIGN of God’s KIND and GOOD nature.
There are general blessings common to all mankind, but special and specific blessings
are divinely bestowed ONLY upon God’s people.
Every “happy” thing that happens is NOT necessarily a blessing
FROM God. Just like bad things happen to God’s people; happy things can happen
to those who are NOT God’s people. “…He
(God) maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on
the unjust…” (Matthew 5:45 KJV).
The sun may rise on the evil and the rain may fall on the
unjust. WHY? Because, OUR God is a merciful God. He is good to all and full of love
and kindness. “…The Lord is good to ALL: and his tender mercies are over ALL his works…”
(Psalms 145:9 KJV).
The evil and unjust may have lots of money and temporary well-being
too, but that doesn’t mean they are BLESSED of God. God’s “… BLESSING is upon [his]… PEOPLE…”
(Psalms 3:8 KJV). “…YOU (God) MAKE [them]… “MOST” BLESSED
forever; …”
(Psalms 21:6 NASB). “…You surround [them]… WITH FAVOR
as with
a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).
People have a tendency to envy sinners when temporary
material wealth and the appearance of good fortune make them APPEAR blessed. “…Let NOT thine heart ENVY
sinners…” (Proverbs 23:17 KJV). “…[their]…
SINS …have cut [them]… off from God. Because of [their]… SINS, he has turned away and will not listen anymore…”
(Isaiah 59:2 NLT). “…They …serve not our Lord Jesus
Christ, but their OWN belly…”
(Romans 16:18 KJV). In addition, “…Those who do not have
the Spirit of Christ living in them DO NOT BELONG TO HIM at all…” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT).
If you DO NOT belong to God your alleged blessings are only
temporary. A truly blessed person’s blessings extend beyond the current
situations and circumstances of life, because they are eternal. “….the
[FREE]… gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…”
(Romans 6:23 KJV).
A truly blessed person sees beyond the temporary and draws
happiness from what is eternal. “…That is why we never
give up. Though our bodies
are dying, our spirits are being renewed
every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly
outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians
4:16-17 NLT).
For example: “…The
poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the
rich man also died and was buried. In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in
torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out
and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may
dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in
this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you
received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being
comforted here, and you are in agony…” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).
God’s BLESSINGS are bestowed upon his people. God’s “… BLESSING is upon THY PEOPLE…”
(Psalms 3:8 KJV). “…YOU (God) MAKE [them]… “MOST” BLESSED
forever; …”
(Psalms 21:6 NASB). “…You surround [them]… WITH FAVOR
as with
a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).
God’s BLESSINGS work within his people. “…It is God who works IN YOU to
will and TO ACT…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…[You]… can
do all things THROUGH CHRIST which strengtheneth [you]…”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV). “….Apart from [Jesus]…YOU CAN DO NOTHING…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…May … God…EQUIP YOU with
everything good for doing his will, and may he WORK IN US what is pleasing to
him, THROUGH Jesus Christ,,,”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
God’s BLESSINGS flow through his people to others. “…God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians
4:19 NASB). “…my cup runneth over…” (Psalms
23:5 KJV). “…God will generously PROVIDE (give) all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to “SHARE” WITH OTHERS…”
(2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).
So when someone says to you “Have a blessed day” they hoping that you will be bestowed with true
happiness (divine joy) and well-being for the entire day! They simply desire
happiness and well-being for another individual the way God desires to bestow
happiness and well-being upon his people. “Have
a blessed Day.”
Especially, since a “Blessing” or berakah is to bestow (impart
or give, or declare) happiness and well-being upon someone. “…God blessed (bestowed gifts, favors, happiness (joy) upon) them…”
(Genesis 1:28 KJV).
So you say “Have a blessed day” as a sincere desire for another person’s happiness and well-being throughout the day. The greeting can also be translated:
“Have a happy day,” or “Have a well-being day,” or “God bless your day with divine happiness
(joy),” or “God bless you with
well-being.” May it be “WELL WITH THEIR SOULS.”
However, ONLY God can truly bless
someone with true happiness (joy) and well-being. God’s BLESSINGS are eternal,
irrevocable, and immutable!! “…He (God) has blessed, and I cannot change it…” (Number 23:20 NIV). “…When
he has blessed, then I cannot revoke it…” (Numbers 23:20 NASB).
When you say “Have a blessed day” to a believer, you are saying remember and be happily aware of the
source of “ALL” the blessings that surround your life with gifts and favor. “…YOU
(God) MAKE [them]… “MOST” BLESSED forever; …” (Psalms 21:6 NASB).
“…You
surround [them]… WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).
When you say “Have a blessed day” to others, you are saying, may you become aware of the source (God, the Holy Spirit)
of “ALL” true blessings that could surround your life with gifts and favors. “…He (God, the Holy Spirit) maketh his sun to
rise on the evil
and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust…”
(Matthew 5:45 KJV). “….Apart from [God, the
indwelling Holy Spirit]… [you cannot]...do nothing [you cannot be truly ‘divinely’
blessed]…” (John 15:5 NIV).
At the end of the day God is the Divine Blessor. A divine blessing
is independent of self or circumstances and MUCH greater than what is happening
externally and temporarily. It is HIGHLY linked with God, the Holy Spirit, and his relationship with his people. “…Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the
people whom he hath
chosen for his own inheritance…” (Psalm 33:12 NASB).
Being blessed impacts the inner life AND the outer life. However,
it is witnessed and experienced through a state of contentment regardless of
what’s happening around you. “…I have learned to be
content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
plenty. I
have learned the secret of being content in any
and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living
in plenty or in want…” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV). “I can
do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV).
The blessings of God are NEVER linked with temporary things
or external circumstances. “…BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who HATH blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in
Christ…”
(Ephesians 1:3 KJV).
The blessings of God or bestowed, unmerited gifts and favors
are ALWAYS linked with eternal things provided by the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…The HOLY
SPIRIT …gives all these gifts … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The GIFT by grace……” (Romans 5:15 KJV). ”… ye
[are]…saved through faith…it is the GIFT of God…” (Ephesians 2:8 KJV). “…The
JOY of your salvation…” (Psalms 51:12 NIV).
“…The GIFT
of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ ….” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “….ye shall receive the GIFT of the Holy Ghost…”
(Acts 2:38 KJV). “…the GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV). “…I am leaving you with a GIFT—peace of mind and heart...” (John 14:27
KJV). “… People should eat and drink and
enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God…” (Ecclesiastes 3:13 NLT). “…God has given us different GIFTS for doing
certain things well…” (Romans 12:6 NLT). “…every man hath his proper GIFT of God...” (2 Corinthians 7:7
KJV). “…Thanks be unto God for his
unspeakable GIFT(S)…” (2
Corinthians 9:16 KJV). “…his divine power hath given unto us ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness…” (2
Peter 1:3 KJV).
“…BLESSED
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who HATH blessed us with all spiritual blessings …
in heavenly places in
Christ…” (Ephesians 1:3 KJV).
“... Every good GIFT and every perfect GIFT is from above, and cometh
down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17 KJV). “…The HOLY SPIRIT …gives all these
gifts and POWERS… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
So “Have
a blessed day,” or “Have a happy day,”
or “Have a well-being day, “ or “God bless your day with true happiness
(divine joy),” or “God bless you with
well-being.” Regardless of who you are: “…The Lord is good to ALL: and his tender mercies are over ALL his works…”
(Psalms 145:9 KJV). “…The earth is the Lord's,
and the fulness thereof; the
world, and they that dwell therein…”
(Psalm 24:1 KJV). “…for the world is mine,
and the fulness thereof…” (Psalm 50:12 KJV). “…all that
is in the heaven and in the earth is thine…”
(1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV).
Therefore, “…The Lord is good to ALL…”
(Psalms 145:9 KJV).
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
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