Reverence:

Reverence

From a heart of reverence

bowed in worship

Jacob spoke inheritance

words of promise.

Censure and comfort,

challenge and call.

Blessings unheard of.

Required new commitment

by each to follow in

pattern of relationships.

Family formed for God.

Psalm 104: 22, “When the sun rises they withdraw, And lie down in their dens.”

Reflection: Blessed: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. Have your family’s expectations for you ever been changed by the Lord’s plans?

2. Or your expectations for another family member or close friend?

3. Which took priority in that instance: faith or anxiety? Why?

4. Looking back can you identify the spiritual inheritance you received?

Share: How does it affect your perspective on new possibilities now?

Blessed: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11: 21, “By faith, Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, ‘bowing in worship over the top of his staff.’”

Blessed

As Jacob blessed from a heart of worship, he also brought about the unexpected. He gave a blessing to two grandsons claiming them as his own from Joseph. Whatever plans Joseph had intended for these sons, Jacob changed.

He reversed the blessings of the birth order and when Joseph tried to correct him, Jacob made it clear that he was not an old man mistaking identity, but giving the Lord’s prophecy on them.  And his actions guaranteed that future generations could never reject Ephraim and Manasseh from Israel because of their Egyptian birth and family connections. They belonged to his family and were given the same privileges of all his people under God’s authority.

He built a bridge of kinship effectively erasing all barriers of country, language, status, education and wealth. He faithfully communicated God’s truth to his descendants in the one way they could not counteract or deny—blessings of inheritance.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Gal 3: 28-29

Unexpected inheritance. Undeniable future. Unshakeable faith.

Blessed.

Your thoughts,

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11: 21, “By faith, Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, ‘bowing in worship over the top of his staff.’”

As Jacob blessed from a heart of worship, he also brought about the unexpected. He gave a blessing to two grandsons claiming them as his own from Joseph. Whatever plans Joseph had intended for these sons, Jacob changed.

He reversed the blessings of the birth order and when Joseph tried to correct him, Jacob made it clear that he was not an old man mistaking identity, but giving the Lord’s prophecy on them.  And his actions guaranteed that future generations could never reject Ephraim and Manasseh from Israel because of their Egyptian birth and family connections. They belonged to his family and were given the same privileges of all his people under God’s authority.

He built a bridge of kinship effectively erasing all barriers of country, language, status, education and wealth. He faithfully communicated God’s truth to his descendants in the one way they could not counteract or deny—blessings of inheritance.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Gal 3: 28-29

Unexpected inheritance. Undeniable future. Unshakeable faith.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 29:11

“The Lord will give strength to His people;

The Lord will bless His people with peace.”

Kingdom Manna

Grace

Luke 6:20, Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”

Blessed is not a term often used toward the poor. Pity, or anguish, or despair, perhaps better describes their situation. Despite advanced health, technology and agriculture the poor worldwide suffer. Scripture repeatedly exhorts care and concern toward the poor.

“Blessed are you”, says Jesus. He who looks into the hearts of men and sees hope. A poor man accepts a gift with gratitude, perhaps with humility. A poor man recognizes value in a simple object, shared goods, a hand of help.

Blessed is the name given to Mary, “she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” She who looked beyond even the boundaries of nature to see the Creator Himself, to accept His work in her life, perhaps with trembling. A poor young woman to carry God’s priceless gift.

Blessed are we Lord for Your salvation. For not leaving us empty and hungry in poverty of spirit but instead opening to us Your storehouse of life. Life with You.

Anytime I seek other than You Lord, please set poverty in my heart that I may know to return.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 22:26

The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord.

May your hearts live forever!