Life is full of seasons, and I can see it happening in the natural as South-Africa is awaking out of winter into spring and then summer. I ministered in the Lae Veld this weekend and I could clearly see the seasons changing – it was in the air, in the ground, it was all around me. When we drove through Dullstroom I could see how all the town’s coffee shops were full of people sitting on the patio’s, drinking their coffee in the sun, and enjoying the pleasures of spring. We stopped at a coffee shop and everyone was laughing around us. I was in amazement at what the change of season can do to people’s hearts. For a moment I just sat quietly and said thank you to Abba for the “summer” in my life too.
Aldo’s operation went very well, and he is just as happy with the turn of the season in his own life too. Very excitedly he tells me every morning, “Mom, show me where in the Bible I should read today – because I want to be ready next year to go and minister with you.” He knows the hour has come and he knows so well that Jesus will help him with every step.
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed Rom. (13:11).
Why is it that we miss the blessing of being obedient to the whole word of God? Why is it that we can’t see the complete picture, the fullness of His Word – all of His love? Why is it that our spirits don’t hear what the Holy Spirit is saying and showing to His Bride? And I am talking to myself as well as to you.
Is it that we so often have a slumbering spirit – a condition where our spirit has not fully awaken? You can be Spirit-filled but still have a slumbering spirit. Many times people cannot see the full picture of the Word of God because of a slumbering spirit. God wants us to be awake and alive with a pure conscience. Many times people with slumbering spirits fall into religious patterns and cannot see that God wants us to have a love relationship with Him - it is much easier for them to follow a theology and live in a religious structure, than living in the revelation that the King’s plans for our lives are so much bigger than we can imagine!
I also see that people with a slumbering spirit do not understand Kingdom life and love. Even in their marriages they seldom, if ever, experience the glory God intended for the act of marriage. Because their focus is on works, they can’t see how big ‘LOVE’ is.
Stand back for a moment – and allow Holy Spirit to let you see through His eyes.
There is a time when the Jew and the Gentile will become one new man. Everything that God has in store for His bride is a blessing and a gift.
If you are a part of the bride – The feasts of the Lord are a “blessing” to you. There are so many blessings and treasures contained in the “Jewish” feasts - and if you do not want to be part of those blessings – that’s your choice! It has nothing to do with your salvation. And also it has nothing to do with keeping the Law. It is God’s feast – not Jewish feasts. It is only a “blessing” that we now have as the bride of Yeshua - it is part of the preparation of the bride. (Click on the image for more articles about the feasts of the Lord.)
Then there is the issue about “BLESSING”. Blessing your spirit, blessing other people, blessing as a part of your life. You do not need to do it at all – but the blessings are just so amazing. God planned for life to be imparted to His children through SPOKEN BLESSINGS. I see in the Bible that fathers had an expectation that their blessings will be fulfilled in the lives of their children, and that same expectation can rest in the hearts of you and me who accept the challenge to bless our children – or anyone else.
But unfortunately, Christians have for the most part failed to develop a serious practice of “blessing” our children and others. This is probably very pleasing to the enemy, because he distracts parents from their responsibility to bless their children, and he also keeps us ignorant of the power resident in blessing those who curse or hate us.
Jesus demonstrated His confidence in the power of blessing when He blessed the children because He spoke life and encouragement to them. His commitment to the principle of blessing could not be more clearly declared – and also less understood.
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:27-36).
Then also, Peter encouraged the believers not to return evil for evil, or insult for insult – but instead – a “blessing” to those who hurt or revile or curse us. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (Rom. 12:14). To bless your children accomplishes much more than merely encouraging them in their daily lives. I have learned through Aldo – by Holy Spirit – how to bless his brain, his mind, his life, his everything. I lay my hands on my children and bless them with success in every area where they fail or where they struggle. “Aldo I bless your mind with the mind of Christ.”That is how I bless my husband, the personnel at my office, and even those who speak badly about us.
God obviously had something special in mind for His people when He commanded Moses and Aaron to bless the children of Israel. Nothing God said or did was meant to wasted or looked over. There is a purpose behind every movement or command of God. Every activity He initiates and puts in place produces life (at a higher level than we can observe). Everything man ever receives from God, he receives by the spoken Word. Even faith – comes by hearing the Word of God.
When we understand that God is present in the “blessing” when we bless others, we will be more faithful to engage in the practice of speaking blessing every day over people we love – or even over our enemies – because “love” conquers all!.
I have seen miracles in my life, even deliverances, all through “blessing people”. Aldo is an amazing example, even my Zozzie – I bless him every day – and his life is truly a blessing.
Knowledge of the power in blessing, and God’s plan for using it, will encourage concerned parents to bless their children. Speak blessings over your hyperactive child – bless him with peace, unselfish love and self control. Speak a blessing over your child with ADD symptoms – bless him with concentration and focus. If you are struggling to get pregnant – bless your womb with a fruitful, blessed seed. I bless my son’s everyday with Godly wives – and yes – they will receive that blessing from God. I bless the ministry, our books and CD’s, Tinus’s business , the people who partner with us, friends, even those people whom I have seen that have a slumbering spirit – I bless them with an awake and active spirit. I bless them to have a desire for God’s Word more than the entertainment of the world. Blessing is a huge part of my life! Because I have eaten the fruit of my blessings. The enemy had to flee in my life after I started fighting him with love and blessing. Aldo wrote, “They cannot fire a humble, loving wall, Nehemiah.”
Many people curse themselves with words – break those curses with blessings.
Jewish parents will take a dip of honey and place it on the lips of their small children – the sweet taste of honey reminds them that the Word of God is as sweet as honey and has much to desire. Words have power when they are released. Let’s start blessing each other. I have seen a wonderful way to do this by blessing my children with the names of God. That is so powerful – and words spoken will always become a reality in your life. The Word of God brings life.
Take a moment and think of the words that you speak over people.
I bless you with an awake, alert spirit – that will receive whatever it is that God wants to give you. I bless you with the knowledge that God’s favour rests upon you, with the unshakable truth that He loves you, that He enjoys you, and that He wants to lead every step you take.
Be blessed my friend – be blessed
Retah and family