BLESSED
DEFINED
“…I will BLESS thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a BLESSING: And I will BLESS them that BLESS thee, …in thee shall all families of the earth be BLESSED…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).
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“GOD BLESSED THEM...” (Genesis 1:28 KJV). “…Then God BLESSED them…” (Genesis 1:28 NLT). Being blessed by God means he intends to abundantly bestow his divine favor and peace - through gifts and care-giving to mankind - in a servant-type presentation, out of his holy, powerful love for them.
God bestowed a blessing on Abraham. “…I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless 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).
One of the definitions of “Blessing” in Hebrew, according to Strong’s concordance, is berakah which means gifts/favors, peace, prosperity, or to bestow happiness and well-being upon. “…God blessed them…” (Genesis 1:28 KJV). “… I will bless thee …and thou shalt be a blessing…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).
Abraham was both blessed and a blessing.
The idea of berakah seems to imply that because God is the Divine Blessor, a blessing or bestowed happiness is independent of self or circumstances, or what is happening externally. It is a state of INNER contentment, especially for God's redeemed people, regardless of what’s happening around them. “…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 solely linked with temporary things or external circumstances. The blessings of God or bestowed, unmerited favor, however, is ALWAYS linked with eternal things or internal attitudes.
“…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).
Another definition of “blessing” is barak which means “to kneel” where one humbly bows and bestows adoration upon God for “who” he is and “what” he has done. “…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).
God’s relationship of grace with believers, the believer’s submissive response to that grace “IN” Christ Jesus, and his multiple spiritual gifts are ALL blessings.
There is no GREATER blessing than reconciliation with God and receiving the inheritance of his riches in glory “IN” Christ Jesus.
God blessed Abraham and explains that blessing to believers today. God bestowed a blessing on Abraham. “…I will bless thee …and thou shalt be a blessing… and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).
Then he bestowed the blessing on believers. “…Christ hath REDEEMED us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the “BLESSING of Abraham” might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that WE MIGHT receive the promise (BLESSING) of the Spirit through faith…” (Galatians 3:13-14 KJV).
A God-given blessing is bestowed, abundant, divine “UNMERITED” favor. You didn’t EARN it, you didn’t DESERVE it and you did NOTHING to be WORTHY of it. “…All have sinned and fallen SHORT of the GLORY of God…” (Romans 3:23).
“…There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV). “…There is not a just man (woman) upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not…” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “… [your own] … iniquities (sin) …separated [YOU]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).
As sinners that have “fallen short” we deserve NOTHING from God at all, especially blessings (Romans 3:23). BUT “…BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who HATH blessed us with all spiritual blessings [anyway]… in heavenly places in Christ…” (Ephesians 1:3 KJV).
“…WE LOVE, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “…WE GIVE you only what you first gave us! …” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT). “…God… who HATH blessed us [first]…” (Ephesians 1:3 KJV). “…I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth…” (Psalms 34:1 KJV).
God initiates his divine blessings to mankind. There is no self-centered, self-seeking, or self- gratification to be gained from God’s show of kindness. “…the GOODNESS of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 KJV). God “….is longsuffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV).
“GOD BLESSED THEM...” (Genesis 1:28 KJV). “…Then God BLESSED them…” (Genesis 1:28 NLT). God abundantly bestowed his divine, UNMERITED favor and peace UPON mankind. “…The words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive…’” (Acts 20:25 NASB).
A true God-given blessing is ANYTHING, EVERYTHING, and ONLY that which comes down from heaven. “…Every good GIFT and every perfect GIFT is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17 KJV). “…The LORD SHALL GIVE that which is good…” (Psalms 85:12 KJV). “…A man (woman) can receive nothing, except it BE GIVEN him (her) from heaven…” (John 3:27 KJV). “…What do you have that God hasn’t given you? (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
“…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). “…ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though HE WAS RICH, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be RICH…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV).
Jesus was RICH before he came to earth. He had material wealth in the spiritual REALM. “…In my Father's house are many mansions…” (John 14:2 KJV). The bible describes the materials in which the “new Jerusalem” will be built (Revelation 21:2 KJV). “…the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass…” (Revelation 21:18-22 KJV). “…our Lord Jesus Christ …HE WAS RICH…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV).
Yet on earth, “…Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head…” (Luke 9:58 KJV).
He had no place to lay his head on his OWN earth. “…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). “…Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine…” (1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV).
God did NOT send Jesus to merely BLESS people with material blessings. “…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).
“…The Spirit of the Lord [was].. upon [Jesus], because he hath anointed [him]… to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent [him]… to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord…” (John 4:16-21 KJV).
“…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and WITH POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for GOD WAS WITH HIM…” (Acts 10:38-39 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).
Material wealth, material possessions, and material abundance can easily become linked to deceit. “…The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches…” (Mark 4:19 KJV).
Material wealth can deceive you right into pride and cause you to forget God. “…And being satisfied, their heart became proud; Therefore they forgot Me…” (Hosea 13:6 NASB).
“…When your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God…” (Deuteronomy 8:13-14 NASB).
“…You have acquired riches for yourself And have acquired gold and silver for your treasuries. …. You have increased your riches And your heart is lifted up because of your riches…” (Ezekiel 28:4-5 NASB).
Because material wealth can be deceitful and come between a person’s relationship with God, some people don’t desire it. “…Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.…” (Proverbs 30:8-9 KJV).
At Jesus’ return many will have much material wealth, but little or NO spiritual wealth. “…I know thy works, and tribulation, and POVERTY, (but thou art RICH)…” (Revelation 2:9 KJV). “…Because thou sayest, I AM RICH, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and KNOWEST NOT that thou art wretched, and miserable, and POOR, and blind, and naked…” (Revelation 3:17 KJV).
“…Remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that GIVETH thee POWER to GET WEALTH…” (Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV). “…For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).
“…My God will supply all [your need]… according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…what is the riches of the glory…; …CHRIST IN YOU…” (Colossians 1:25-28 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). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).
“ …The Spirit of God dwelleth in you…” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you…” (1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV). “…God hath said, I will dwell in them…” (2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…The [spiritual]…blessing of the LORD, it maketh RICH…” (Proverbs 10:22 KJV). “…who HATH BLESSED us with all spiritual blessings … “IN” Christ…” (Ephesians 1:3 KJV).
Being spiritually blessed by God means he has abundantly bestowed his divine favor and peace upon you. Receiving his blessings means YOU accept his gifts/favors, peace, prosperity, and well-being.
A blessing, therefore, is given and received. “…A man can receive nothing, except it BE GIVEN him from heaven…” (John 3:27 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).
“GOD BLESSED THEM...” (Genesis 1:28 KJV). And he has BLESSED YOU!
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