DON'T BE AFRAID!

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”” Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As I write this I am also looking at the news that is coming out of Brussels where two bombs went off killing 31 people and injuring over 180.  It is so sad and even discouraging.  Last year it was Paris and San Bernardino and there were mass shootings in schools in America and in some malls. The list could go on and on.

The world is crazy and getting crazier.  And sadly, much of this focused on people with Christian beliefs and faith.  It is enough to make a person fearful and afraid.

Joshua 1:9 seems to get to the core of this issue as he states “Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the LORD your God is with wherever you go.”

These are some of the most powerful words in the Bible that gives us an assurance about today and tomorrow.

Several years ago there was a TV series called "Early Edition." It was a storyline about a young man who somehow was able to read tomorrow’s newspaper today.

In other words, he was able to know what was going to happen a day before it actually happened. 

If you knew about what would happen tomorrow - how would you react.  Would you live life in fear or would you try to do something that would remedy and help life to be better?

The fact is, none of us really know about tomorrow.  We have to trust the Lord to be with us no matter what comes our way.  We cannot live life afraid.

So how do we face tomorrow?  How do we live life without fear? What should we do?

Well, God has some answers to those questions.  Here are three things we should NOT do:

The first one is: "Don’t presume about tomorrow." Proverbs 27:1 says, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."

Notice the word "boast." The Bible tells us, "Don’t go around being cocky about your plans for tomorrow or next week or next year because life is uncertain. You may not even be around that long. So don’t be presumptuous."

Secondly, he says, "Don’t panic about tomorrow." Jesus says: "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself" (Matthew 6:34). 

Fortunately, God doesn’t reveal too much of our future life to us.  He gives it to us in increments - 24 hour days.  That’s about all we can handle.

Someone wrote, "Life by the yard is hard. Life by the inch is a cinch."

Thirdly, God says, "Don’t procrastinate until tomorrow." 

I appreciate the Living Bible rendition of Ecclesiastes 11:4. It says, "If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done."

How many among us have become procrastinators in life?

Someone wrote, "Procrastination is my sin. It only brings me sorrow. I know I ought to change my life. And I will - tomorrow."

So, these are the three things God says "Don’t do:" #1 - Don’t presume, #2 - Don’t panic, & #3 - Don’t procrastinate. 

Now, here are three things we SHOULD do: (from Joshua 1)

Here’s what was happening. God freed the children of Israel from Egyptian slavery. But because of their disobedience, they have been living in the wilderness for 40 years. 

Moses has just died, and now it is Joshua’s turn to lead the people. The older, disobedient generation is gone, and the younger generation is ready to do what God tells them to do in order to enter the Promised Land.

They are on the eastern side of the Jordan River. On the other side is the Promised Land.

Joshua knows that once they enter the Promised Land they will be facing at least 7 enemy nations. They’re strong nations with trained armies and fortified cities. And they’re far better equipped with weapons than Joshua’s young army. Is it any wonder that Joshua is uneasy about it all? Is it any wonder that he is afraid.

So God appears to him and says, "Joshua, let me tell you three things to do. And if you will do these three things, I guarantee you success." 

First, in vv. 2-3 he tells him to just go. God says, "Get ready. I want you to possess the land." So the first thing God told Joshua is, "Set my plan into motion." But before Joshua could do that, there was something else he had to do. He had to let go of the past.

God began vs. 2 by saying, "Moses my servant is dead." Moses was God’s chosen man to free the people and lead them out of Egypt. He was the one God called to the top of Mt. Sinai to receive the 10 commandments. Moses was God’s man of the ages! 

And now, Joshua has to fill his sandals. Joshua has to take his place. You can imagine the fear and trepidation Joshua must have felt.

So God comes to Joshua and says, "Joshua, listen to me. Moses is dead, but I’m not, and you’re not. I have a plan for your life, and I have a plan for your people. So let’s get on with the plan."

Vv. 10-11 tells us that Joshua got his people ready and prepared them to go forward.

So don’t presume, don’t panic, don’t procrastinate. Instead, seek God’s direction and set His plan for your life into motion.

The 2nd thing God tells Joshua to do is to "Stay in the Word." Listen to vs. 7, "Be strong and very courageous. Be very careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."

God says, "Joshua, I’m guaranteeing you success if you’ll be careful to obey all the law. And the way to do that is not to turn from it either to the left or to the right." In other words, "Don’t become sidetracked." 

In vs. 8 God says, "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

Did you notice? In that verse, God told Joshua 3 ways to stay in the Word. Here they are:

1. “Talk about it.” "Don’t let the Word of God depart from your mouth." It is not enough just to read the Word. We need to talk about it, discuss it, learn it.

2. Secondly, God says, "Think about it," "meditate on it day and night." 


3. Then God says, "Do it! Put it into practice." "...be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and be successful." Take the teachings and principles out into the world, and live them every day.

Someone said, "Sin will keep you from reading the Bible. But reading the Bible will keep you from sin." So don’t neglect it!

Here is the third thing God told Joshua to do: "Step out in faith." 

You have to live your life.  You can’t walk around in fear.  You have to move forward - even into the unknown.  God will lead you as you pray and ask Him for wisdom.

Notice that God tells Joshua 3x’s to not be afraid. God says to Joshua in vs. 6, "Be strong and courageous." In vs. 7, "Be strong and very courageous." And in vs. 9, "Be strong and courageous."

Then in vs. 9, God says, "Do not be afraid and do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Notice those words "terrified" and"afraid." 

These are two of Satan’s most valuable tools.

Fear will keep you in the desert. Do you realize that the Israelites could have traveled from Mt. Sinai to the Promised Land in about 3 weeks? But it actually took them 40 years getting there because they were caught in the grip of fear. But God says, "Do not be terrified and afraid." 

Yes, there are plenty of opportunities to be afraid and to walk in fear about life.  If I look at the news and headlines - I probably won’t ever leave my house.

I love what the apostle Paul said, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13).

Paul is saying, "I can master every circumstance that comes my way if my faith and trust is solid in Jesus Christ."

God is with me - I don’t have to be afraid.

LESSONS FROM THE DESERT

““There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, ‘Destroy them!’” ‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭33:26-27

These are not the words of some “newbie” just spouting off nice catch phrases to make you feel good.  No, they are the words of a older man who is sharing what he has learned about God through his many years of experience in the desert.

If you read this passage carefully, if you bend and listen closely, you can almost hear the stirring words of an old man. This is not just any old man but this is a man whom God has used mightily throughout his lifetime and now he has some parting words for the people that he has walked closely with for the last forty years.

His name is Moses.

The Book Of Deuteronomy is his song.  It is the written form of what Moses wanted the people of Israel to know before he died.

His life had been marked by some times that were up and some times that were down. He had been prepared in the finest schools of the world at the time and then all of the great aspirations that the Egyptians fell apart for him.

His life was laid out before him but God had bigger plans and purposes mapped out for him.  God even used his mistakes and failures to construct God’s character in him.

God used his failure (murdering an Egyptian taskmaster) to send him into the desert for 40 years to get schooled in the School Of Hard Knocks.

There would be many lessons that he would learn in the desert but here are 3 important tests:

1- Hard times do not erase God’s promises.
2- Harsh treatment does not escape God’s notice.
3- Heavy tests do not eclipse God’s concern.

Moses’ failure turned him into a servant. The desert helped Moses to discover himself. That is often what happens to men who allow the desert to shape them. It forces us to see things within that we are not accustomed to dealing with.

Our responses to the desert often determine the success or failure of the future for us. There are generally three ways that we respond to the desert:

1- I don’t need it!
2- I’m tired of it!
3- I accept it! (This is more than just a resignation to the facts but an embracing of destiny that God has for us.)

We all have desert experiences in life.  How we treat those experiences make all the difference in your outlook of life. Consider your own “desert” and reflect on what has happened with that “desert”:

1- Those years reduced and subdued your temper.
2- Those years weaned you from the shams and setups and supposed sweetness of this world.
3- Those years gifted you with eyes and hearts to suffer the loss of this world to trade for a greater reward in heaven.

Not only did the desert seem to attempt to choke the life out of Moses but there were other circumstances that he had to endure throughout his life.

He went to the mountain and met with God. Not only would he meet with God, he would return a changed man. But personal revival does not always secure local nor national revival and this he found when he returned and found Israel dancing around a golden calf.

He had to endure the criticism of his sister and brother over his choice of a wife. Sometimes this is the most difficult criticism to have to endure, that of family. It was a day when he had to stand the disgraceful attack from his brother and sister. They tried to pull him down from the place that God had been working the entire life of Moses to bring him to. 

Throughout his life - his desert experience, there was something that was developing in him. It was called meekness. (Numbers 12:3)

Meek is a word that very few in this world ever come to know. It means mild, gentle, humble, unpretentious, unassuming, and modest are a few words that give us an idea of what being meek really means.

True meekness never just appears in our lives. It does not come until it has been planted, watered, pruned, purified, and beaten upon by every wind of God and cut to pieces by every knife of God.

Our text comes from the next to last chapter that Moses would ever utter. We move into chapter 34 and Moses disappears from human history by the way of death. But he writes something in the closing verses of chapter 33 that he felt that was important for us to know.

33:27 - “The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.”

Think about this - no matter what you go through - “his everlasting arms are under you” at all times.

That is a life lesson worth learning.

This had great meaning for the Israelites. 

They had walked through the hot desert. 
The wearying marches through the sand had worn them down physically. 
They had gotten blisters on their feet from the pebbles that had gotten wedged in their sandals. 
They had endured sharp cuts from the thorns.
They had gained stone bruises from the rocks that were scattered in the path.

Yet God was with them - always!

In a way, I feel like Moses in life.  I have seen much and lived through many ups and downs. Yet, God has been with me always.  His arms have upholded and surrounded me and protected me.

I can honestly say - God is faithful.  He always has been and will alway be.  Trust Him through whatever desert experience you are experiencing in your life.  Allow your desert experience to form and shape you into the man or woman that God wants you to be.

WHY PRAY?

Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT) ⁷  “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

I love to pray.  I grew up watching my parents praying and seeking God on a daily basis.  Some of my earliest memories as a young child are of both of my parents on their knees praying as I would wake up every morning.  They modeled prayer and they taught us to pray also.  It is what I modeled for my children and even my grandkids.  I believe in prayer.

You might ask – Why do we need to ask God for anything?  That is a good question. 

The number 1 reason we ask is because God is our father and we are His children (not adopted).  And, God enjoys giving to His children.

Our scripture encourages us that God is a good God and enjoys giving good gifts to His children.  (Just like you and I do for our own children). As His children we have been given the right to enter His throne room on a daily basis and ask for our needs.

Matthew 7 teaches us to ASK (as a child would ask His Father).  

1 John 5:14 tells us that we need to ask “according to His will.”  The only way to pray according to His will is to get to know God in an intimate level of relationship.

As an example – every family has rules that need to be abided by.  Get to know God and the family rules and then you will be able to ask “according to God’s Will.”

We should also ASK with specifics in mind.  James tells us that we don’t get what we are praying for because we ask “amiss.”  We’re all over the map when we pray.

We must ASK with persistence also.  Many people pray one time and when God doesn’t answer they give up wondering why Jesus doesn’t answer prayer.  

Read through Luke 11:5-8 and you will see about an answered prayer through much PERSISTENCE.

My problem is that I want what I want right now.  But God says, “Some things need to wait.”  God will either say, “no,” or “yes,” or "later."

We all want God to answer our prayers immediately but we need to remember that the timing is always in God’s hands.  My heavenly father knows what is best for me.  We don’t always know what God is doing on our behalf.

I rest in that my father knows what is best for me then I feel protected.  He promises to give only good gifts to me.

The second reason we ask is because God desires that we ask.

There are many scriptures that support His desire as a father to have us as children come to Him but I especially love Psalm 91 and how it speaks to us in regards to prayer…

Psalm 91:14-16 (NLT) ¹⁴  The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. ¹⁵  When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. ¹⁶  I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Lastly, the reason we ask is this – It draws us closer to God.

Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT) ³  Long ago the LORD said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.

James 4:8 (NLT) ⁸  Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

God answers prayer.  I know that for a fact.  He desires for you to call out to Him and He so wants to answer your prayers.  

I don’t know why God answers one way or the other but I do know that the process of prayer is what helps me to see God more and it is what draws me closer and closer to Him everyday.

ARE YOU PROBLEM CENTERED OR POWER CENTERED?

“Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the LORD had commanded Moses.”Deuteronomy‬ ‭34:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve been a student of the Bible for many years.  The stories and lessons that are told within it’s pages have been a great blessing in developing the man I am and am going to be.

I am especially fascinated of the account of two great leaders: Moses, who led the people out of the land of Egypt. And Joshua, who succeeded Moses in leading the children of Israel to the Promised Land.

Each man had his strengths and each man had his weaknesses but both were powerful leaders in leading God’s people through the wilderness.  One, however, got bogged down in the wilderness and couldn’t move forward and the other led the people out of the wilderness.

It seems that the people under Moses’ leadership had a culture of complaining and were very problem centered.  Even though God did many miracles on their part - they never seemed to see the blessings that were before them.  There was no sense of the “wonder of God.”

Moses massaged the people’s problem and cauddled them, and as a result, they never seemed to get the victory and had to remain in the wilderness with their wilderness mentality.  They ended up wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.

Even though they left the bondages of Egypt they were still in bondage to themselves and never entered the Promised Land.

But Joshua was a different breed.  He didn’t see the problems but saw the potential.

“After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.” Joshua‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

V.11 tells us that with just 3 days noticed he crossed over to The Promised Land.

I see many people who are always about the problem rather than being about the power of God.  Their way of thinking and their way of talking is very negative and downtrodden. When we are like that we forget who is on our side and the power that is available to us.

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:4-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Children Of Israel under Moses’ leadership only saw the problem.  They couldn’t see the power of God that was with them.  Miracles were happening right and left and yet they still complained.

Joshua on the other hand saw something completely different.  He saw how powerful God was and God’s desire for His people.  Even when the 10 spies came back with a negative report and scared the people - he saw what God could do in spite of the obstacles that lay before him.

I have admit, I have often been problem-centered rather than God-centered.  I have looked at the obstacles and the looming battles ahead and have lost out on many victories that God had in store with me.  I have been blessed in so many ways but I know that there could have been so much more if I had a different attitude and faith in God.

Having said that, I am daily moving forward, learning, trusting, and leaning into God.  I like what 2 Corinthians teaches us…

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:7-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The question remains, “Are you problem centered or are you power centered?”  I choose to be power centered.

WHEN GOD DOESN'T ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS

“Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:7-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve been a Christian for a lot of years and have learned a lot God and His ways. I really thought I knew His ways and thoughts but the day my grandson died I grew in my understanding of God.  I learned that God was SOVEREIGN and that He will do what He thinks is best and that there are some things in life that I will never know or get the answers that I want.

I wish that I had learned that lesson earlier in life.

Before my grandson died I prayed and fasted and did everything I thought was right.  He still died.  Even now, my heart breaks to remember my daughter cradling him in her arms as he took his last breath.  The grief was unbearable. I don’t wish that experience on anybody.

Now, looking back I realize that God used that experience in so many powerful ways that in turn has been a blessing to others that are going through difficult circumstances in their own life.

Paul relates in this passage of scripture to us by saying he prayed three times for God to take away this “thorn in the flesh.”

We don’t know what that thorn was.  It could have been a sickness or a disease or it could have been the many religious leaders that we're bringing him opposition.  Whatever it was, Paul prayed for it to go away and it didn’t.

God didn’t answer his prayer but told him “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

Quite honestly, it is in our weakness that God can use us.  Our strengths often become God’s rival. I’ve heard it said, “Man’s extremities are God’s opportunities.  Man’s security is Satan’s opportunity.”  That is so true.

It is not God’s purpose to take us out of the trial but to teach us how to stand strong in the midst of the trial.

Isaiah understood this when he said… “I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.” Isaiah‬ ‭48:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Again, look at what Paul said about God… “My power works best in weakness.”

It’s when we are against a wall, when things are not going our way and when life is hard and difficult that God works best in our lives.  

Again, God is Sovereign and He knows what is best for us.

Vv. 9-10 - “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

The word “boast” means to take pleasure in, to delight in.  Who does that?  Who gets happy in having trials in their lives?

It is the person who is totally leaning and trusting in God.  It is a person who wants and desires for the power of Christ (no matter what we go through) to work or dwell in us.

The word “dwell” means to take up residence.  God wants to dwell “take up residence” in your life in the midst of whatever you are going through right now.

If God would have answered Paul’s prayer it would have brought temporary relief but would have not left any last results.  It would have only been a blessing to Paul alone.

Because God did not answer Paul’s prayer - it brought comfort to his life for the whole of his life and would then become a blessing and comfort to many people and many generations of people who are going through some sort of trial.

I know for a fact that God doesn’t answer all my prayers in life but I also know that He is God and He is Sovereign and that He knows what is best for all of us.

In the meantime, I get to daily trust in His presence and work in my life knowing that He sees the bigger picture that will bring Him the greatest glory.

GOD'S GOT THIS!

“Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.” Psalms‬ ‭145:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is Monday and I’ve had a full weekend.  Church was amazing yesterday with many people giving their hearts to Christ.  I heard testimonies of healings and victories - enough to make my heart swell in praise to God this next week.

Nevertheless, it is Monday.  Do you have those Monday Blues?  Does looking at this week fill you with dread or does it empower you with excitement about what God has in store for you?

I would have to admit that I have caved in many times and dreaded the Monday Blues and went into the week more or less fearing what was ahead.

That is not the case for my life now as I look forward to what the week will bring.  I’ve been walking with God long enough to know that whatever adventure comes my way - my God is big and He can handle anything that comes my way.

When I think about the BIGNESS of God and even the SMALLNESS of God my heart swells with the peace that God has this week in the palm of His hands.  Basically, “God’s got this.”

When I think about the God who created the universe - it blows my mind.  Did you know that the earth is 8,000 miles in diameter and that the sun is 860,000 times in diameter? We could put 100,000 earths inside of the sun.

The earth is 93 million miles away from the sun.  If you were to reduce the sun to the size of a basketball - the earth would be a bb 109 feet away.  The planet Pluto would be 4,300 feet away and the nearest star would be 5,700 miles away.

The closest star is Apha Centauri and is 4.3 light years away from earth.  At the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) it would take you 18 days to reach it.

That is only one of millions of stars in our universe that God created and maintains.

Another way at looking at how big God is - is by looking at the smallest of His creation.  Did you know that everything you can see right now is made up of atoms?  If you were take a grain of sand and expand all the atoms in that one grain - it would fill a square box the size of 1 cubic square (3’ X 2’).

If you could string atoms like pearls at 1 atom per second - it would take around 200 years to do a 25” string.

One of my favorite verses and a great reminder of who is in charge of this week is from Colossians 1:15-17…

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Colossians‬ ‭1:15-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If God can create the universe and keep everything in motion with just a word, and if God can create the atom with enough power to light the city of Chicago - then God must be powerful enough to handle whatever comes my way this week.

Trust God with the small and mundane things and trust God with the big problems that overwhelm you.  His promise to never leave nor forsake you was good yesterday, it is good for today and for tomorrow.

GOD'S GOT YOU COVERED FOR WHATEVER IS AHEAD! Have a great week.

WHAT EVERY CHILD WANTS TO HEAR

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’” Numbers‬ ‭6:22-26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In most Jewish homes it is unheard of to leave the house without receiving THE BLESSING from their “Abba” (Daddy).  As family members prepare to leave for the day they will will come to their abba and receive the Aaronic Blessing upon them for God’s rich blessings to come their way and protect them throughout their day.

I think this is what is wrong with America in a lot of ways. Father’s don’t know how to give the blessing and children don’t know how to receive it.  As a result - many children (young and old) are walking around life without the blessing of their father.

It is what drives young women into the arms of other men and what causes anger and insecurity in many young people.  That… they don’t have the blessing of their father in their lives.

There is an incredible power behind THE BLESSING.  I’ve seen families melt into each other’s embrace as parents began to release a blessing into their children’s lives.

A child wants to hear, “I bless you. I love you.  I believe in you.”  As a result of not hearing those words children often act out and seek for love in other places and people.

Almost every Sunday I place this blessing on people as they leave church to meet their week.  I am often told by people of how much they enjoy receiving it because it is the only words of affirmation that they receive all week long.

You might ask - “How can I put the blessing on my children?”  Here are some of the things I think should be part of the blessing on my children and grandchildren.

• Affirming Words - These are words that affirm God’s blessings and promises on them.  They are words of hope and a future.  They are a reminder of who they are and how much God love them.  These words should be encouraging and life building.  They should be honest about the direction of their lives and the choices that they are making.
• Affirming Touch - In a world that is a little crazy - this should be one of the most important things we can do - the touch of blessing.  This is the affirmation of our love in a touch that is pure and right.  This is “God with skin on.”  It is the hugs that we give and the placing of our hand on their forehead as we pray.
• Affirming Time - This is spending quality time with those we love.  This is letting them know how valuable and important they are to us.
• Affirming God’s Promises - Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has a plan for us and it is good.  We need to be speaking these words into the ears of our children and grandchildren.  Things like “You shall be the head and not the tail.” (Deuteronomy 28:13) and “keep your eyes on God.” (Psalm 123:2a)
• Affirming Purpose - Remind them that they are not only on this earth for themselves but for others.  Remind them that they should live a life of service to others - that true greatness is in helping and serving others and not just ourselves.

Every Sunday families walk up to the church and I try to greet them if I can.  As I hug adults and children alike I often say a quiet prayer of blessing over their lives.  They might not hear me but I know my Heavenly Father hears my prayers.

I am one of the lucky ones in life as I grew up in an atmosphere of positivity and with much affirmation.  Every day my parents were my best cheerleaders - “You can do it, you can make something of your life, you can go and do great things.”  I only wish now that my father was still alive to see his words of blessings coming to life in all his kids and grandkids.  His influence in my life has been huge and has had a mighty impact not only on me but my whole family.  I pray that I now carry on that legacy and that God would use me to touch and bless my family to prepare them for the great things their lives.

One more thing, if you grew up without the blessing of your natural father in your life - don’t seek for it in all the wrong places.  Go to God, your Heavenly Father, and let Him speak the words of blessing over you and give the words of affirmation that you need to hear.  He loves you SO much and His plan for your future is good!

I Bless You Today In Jesus’ Strong Name!