-But have you stopped to consider that true success as a Christian is not in being blessed, but in what we do with that blessing? ~Darlene Zschech, Revealing Jesus
The Lord blessed Abraham and his offspring in response to his obedience. That blessing flows through Israel and to the Christians that were grafted into the family, but we can’t forget one very important stop along the way. In Genesis 22:18, the word “offspring” is singular, and in some versions it is capitalized…this refers forward to the ultimate Offspring, Jesus Christ who came to offer blessings of love and salvation to all who would trust in Him. In the place of the grey man acting as a mirror, you can place Abraham, Jesus, or any believer in Christ (and I hope that that includes yourself).
I’m always reading several books, and recently I’ve been reading Genesis in addition to devotionals and a book about the spiritual realm according to the Bible. Each has been talking about blessings and has impressed on my heart a certain theme. This all led to the creation of the image above. I could have drawn an arrow for praise going back up, but didn’t want it to be any more complicated.
The ideas leading to this come from various sources: the Bible, books, blog, and a buddy (I couldn’t resist the alliteration).
17 I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gates of their enemies. 18 And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed My command.”
~Genesis 22:17–18 (HCSB)
Don’t expect nor give yourself any glory for doing what you have been called to do. Celebrate God being so grand and personal that He loved the ones you love through your actions.
~Brooke Putney ( http://www.brookeputney.us/10-things-generation-y-christians-need-to-hear/)
I feel like my responsibility as a Christian is to work hard at my job and quickly make as much as I can so that I can turn around and give as much of my time and money to the Lord as possible. ~Jon Price
Matthew and Teresa's Blog 