Blessed To Be A Blessing
Now Think On This
by Steve Martin
“The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:1-3 Holy Bible, New Living Translation
Abram, whom later the Lord changed his name to Abraham (see added note below), was a blessed man. When he was called, he heard and obeyed. He left his known surroundings, his extended family, his father’s relatives, and began the journey.
Did he know where he was going? No. Had he done this before? I don’t think so. But I do believe the Lord had asked him to do smaller acts of obedience prior to this time, to build his faith up for this, one of “the big ones”. (Later, when asked to sacrifice, literally kill his only son Isaac, his faith had by that time grown even more, for that level of commanded obedience.) That is usually how the Lord works, even in our lives today. For He is the same – yesterday, today and forever.
Was Abram a great man before he was chosen? We are not told that he was. But based on the examples of other men and women, chosen by God over the centuries to fulfill a great purpose of our God - most likely he was not. He was probably just an “average Joe”, living and trying to be faithful daily to his wife Sarai (later Sarah) and his children in their provision and care.
The Lord chose this man Abram to be blessed, so Abram in turn would be a blessing. It was not solely for Abram’s own present and eternal joy and happiness alone, nor just for his family, but primarily so that all the families on the earth, throughout the centuries, would be blessed. The goal was to have him blessed, so he would be a blessing. That is God’s purpose in our lives today too.
History proves over and over again that the descendants of the Father of Faith, as Abraham is now known, have certainly blessed the nations. The Jews have given the world untold new inventions, technology, cultural and societal foundations, while continuing life even when being surrounded by all seeking to destroy them.
“Abraham believed this, and because he believed, he was blessed. All people who believe are blessed the same as Abraham was.” Galatians 3:9 (Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version)
As fellow believers in the One True God, the God of Israel, Who is the Messiah, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, we are called to walk in obedience as Abraham did. We too have been chosen by God, not because of our greatness or accomplishments, or because we were born in this country, to this family, with this education, etc., but because the Lord’s heart wants to bless, and use us to do so.
God our Father wants to bless the nations, His creation, for eternal enjoyment with Him. Having a true Father’s heart, we have been chosen to receive His blessings, so we in turn can bless those we are among, and those we are going to, all the while extending His Kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven.
“Give us this day our daily bread” - part of the Lord’s prayer Himself while walking the streets of Jerusalem, and training men and women to be His disciples - is included in His priestly prayer. Receiving daily gifts in order to sustain life, to give out of that which we have received, continues to be His heart. His children, His disciples, receiving from His heart, to give to others who will then come to know of His love.
In your seeking His daily path today, be aware of that placed within you, given to share with those He brings you in contact with. Seek to be a blessing, as you have been blessed. In this way the nations of the world will be blessed too.
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.
Note: Abraham was originally named by his father as אברם (Abram) and later changed to אברהם by God. As every Hebrew name has a meaning, always related to the character of the person, it is important to know what their names mean. In the case of Ya'acov (Jacob - he grabs the heel) it was changed by God to yisrael (Israel - turns the head of God). As there was a change in character, there is also a change in the name.
While many suggest that Abram means "exalted father" and Abraham means "father of a multitude", both names in fact mean exactly the same thing "father lifted up" or "exalted father". The beginning of both names is אב (AB) meaning "father". The "ram" in Abram is דם meaning "lifted", a parent root. The "raham" in Abraham is רהם also means "lifted", a child root derived from the parent root Mr.
It does not make much sense to change a name if the new name means the same thing. This is why many attempt to make a change in meaning. But, to understand the real meaning behind a name change is important for understanding why God changed his name and the names of others such as Jacob to Israel.
In Genesis chapters one and two we have the naming of all of creation. We find that Adam named Eve, his children and all of the animals, while God named the light, darkness, sky and land. From this we find something very interesting. Adam had authority over his wife, children and the animals, while God has authority over the light, darkness, sky and land.
If you have authority over something, you have the right and responsibility to name it. Abram was named by his father Terah, the one who had authority over him. But, when Abram left his father's house and headed out on his own, God, who respected the authority of Terah previously, now takes the role of his authority and changes his name indicating a change in authority, not necessarily a change in character.
(Source: Jeff A. Benner, www.ancient-hebrew.org/emagazine)
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.
If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.
Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available).
Contribution checks can be sent to:
Love For His People, Inc. P.O. Box414 Pineville, NC 28134
Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)
Please share Now Think On This with your friends.
Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com
martinlighthouse@gmail.com
Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople
Blogs: Love For His People
Full website: Love For His People
YouTube: Love For His People Inc.
Now Think On This #136 “Blessed To Be A Blessing” by Steve Martin
Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (03.31.14) Monday at 5:30 am in Charlotte, NC.
All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on our newest website: Now Think On This
No comments:
Post a Comment