The Power of Spoken Blessings

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God's blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you]. Luke 6:28 (AMP) God wants to use you to speak powerful words into the lives of those around you. When others disagree with us or criticize us their rejection and condemning spirit can have the effect of being cursed. God wants us to use our words to build up the body of Christ, the local church, and especially our families and guests in our homes. God has instructed us to bless those who curse us for a specific reason, because it will neutralize the effect of their harsh words on us. Testimony Elena was sleeping in her bed one night when a dreaded bark scorpion climbed up onto her leg and stung her. She screamed with pain from its potent poison, waking the rest of the family. Her mother understood exactly how she felt, because she too had been stung by this type of scorpion, which thrives at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Elena and her family were living there, ministering to Native American Indians. Based on the mothers experience, Elena could expect excruciating pain and numbness, then swelling, physical weakness, dizziness, tightening of her throat, and tingling in her limbs for weeks to come. However, Elena suffered none of these effects, because her parents applied a simple remedy to her scorpion sting. The pain stopped immediately, and only a slight sensitivity remained in the spot where the venom had entered. Elenas parents applied a high-voltage, low-current electrical charge to the spot where the poison had entered. This hand-cranked device had been designed by the JAARS missionary organization and had been used with many positive results with different types of poisonous bites. Although doctors are not totally sure why it works, the positive charge of the current somehow neutralizes the negatively charged venom.

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Why is it so hard to respond to those who reject, revile, denounce, criticize, condemn, slander, malign, or gossip about us? Why is it so important to us that our accusers suffer too? What did Josephs brothers call him in Genesis 37:19-20? What evil intentions did they plan and carry out? For what intent did Joseph suffer? Read Genesis 40:15 What was Gods bigger purpose in Josephs life that could only be brought by remaining humbly faithful through the incredible (and unfair) circumstances of Josephs life? Read Genesis 50:20-21. How did Joseph return the curse of his brothers with a blessing?

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When the priests of Israel were commanded to bless the people, God made it very clear how the blessing was to come about. What instructions were the priests given in Numbers 6:27? The word put could also be translated invoke or impart. To invoke the name of God is to release divine favor and impart Gods power to carry out the blessing. A blessing gives life, and life is in the name of the Lord. What power comes from the words and name of Jesus in John 20:31?

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Jacob means supplanter, and that is exactly what he did in stealing the blessing from his brother Esau. He deceived his father and outright lied when his father asked him who he was. Does the one who needs to receive our blessing deserve it? Did God bless Jacob through Isaacs blessing? Read Genesis 27:33? Does God continue to bless us based on our merit alone?

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The story of Eli affirms that the one giving a blessing does not need to be a Godly leader. Eli took the forbidden fat from the sacrifices and violated Gods Law by eating it. He allowed his sons to be immoral with the women that came to the Tabernacle. Gods judgment was upon him and his sons.

When Eli saw Hannah agonizing before the Lord, How did he wrongfully reprove and judge her? See 1 Samuel 1:14. What was Hannahs response to Eli? How did Eli, Hannahs spiritual authority respond in 1 Samuel 1:17? How did this blessing bring about Gods purpose in Hannahs life? See 1 Samuel 2:21. 5. While God is able to use any authority over us to bless us, He will also use Godly people to bring blessing into our lives through their faith personally shared with us. Most of us do not realize the impact that a word of faith has on the heart and life of the one who receives it. A word of faith is based on a Biblical goal that God would have for every believer, but that has special significance to those who are given a blessing for it. Years ago, Dwight L. Moody spoke to tens of thousands in England. During the meetings, Mr. Moody and his assistant, Ira Sankey, visited a nearby Gypsy camp and preached to them. Just before they left, a little Gypsy boy ran up to them and wanted to shake their hands. Ira Sankeys heart was drawn to the boy. He put his hand on him and said, Young man, someday you are going to be a great preacher for God. That spoken blessing impacted that little boy, and years later, he became a world-renowned preacher known as Gypsy Smith. Who does God want to bless through your life? How do you and I begin to see the vision of what God would do through our families and those with whom we are connected to in the church? How do we begin to understand what Gods will is in our lives and those around us? Read Romans 12:2-3. What part does Romans 12:14 play in directing Gods purpose in our lives and in the lives of those around us? In addition to speaking blessing and purpose into the lives of those around us, what other personal access did Paul give to those with whom God had entrusted him? Read 1 Corinthians 11:1 and 2 Timothy 1:13.

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In what sense are we authorized to speak the oracles and the purposes of God into the lives of others today? Read 1 Peter 2:5. If we are to bless others, we certainly can bless God. Read aloud several verses that bless Gods name, character, and His activity with us. Give personal examples from your own life of theses verses whenever possible. What other verses can you add to this list? Name Matthew 6:9 Job 1:21 Nehemiah 9:5 Character Psalm 31:21 Daniel 2:20 II Corinthians 1:3 Deeds Psalm 150:2 Psalm 103:25 Psalm 68:19 Ephesians 1:3 Psalm 145:16

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What are the three parts that make up a spoken blessing? (Hint: they are one part us and two parts God) A blessing must be instantly recognized by the one receiving it as something that is valuable and beneficial to their life. It must not be perceived as a mini-sermon or a subtle correction, but as a genuine expression of ones desire to have God enrich and benefit the recipients life with all that He has for them. This is the essence of the priestly blessing. It is short, to the point, and general enough to be applied to every situation. The act of giving a blessing is an exercise in spiritual discernment and genuine sincerity. The one who blesses another should ask God for wisdom and understanding, as well as keen sensitivity and discretion. The goal is to help others understand and experience the abundant life that God provided for us through Christ Read the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-27. Using the handout from Sunday, design a personal blessing for someone significant to you in your family, care group, church or at work. As you feel comfortable, share who that person is and why you are blessing them. Read aloud the blessing.

THE POWER OF A SPOKEN BLESSING

The Pain of a Verbal ________________________ Why We Dont Bless Offenders need to suffer Jesus: Vengeance is mine. Account of Joseph The Power Behind Blessing Our words, Gods Word, and of Gods Name How Blessings Build ________________________ Blessing is not based on merit Blessing = what God wants Blessing for good or for evil Ira Sankeygypsy boy Blessing After Wedding Vows Greater intimacy in marriage Biblical basis: 2 Peter 3:9, Eph5:25, John 15:3 Jesus sanctified by Word (John 17:19)

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-27)

The Awesome Act of Blessing God I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1) Bless His Holy Name, His Character, His Mighty Deeds Make Blessings a ___________________________ A blessing must be recognized as valuable and beneficial. It must not be seen as a reproof or sermon, but as a genuine expression of love. Speak as the oracles of God The _____________________________ Blessing The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

Design a Biblical Blessing The Lord bless you With the fullness of His salvation (Ephesians 1:23; 3:19) With the spirit of wisdom in Christ (Ephesians 1:17) With the hope of His calling (Ephesians 1:18) With the riches of His glory (Ephesians 3:16) With the exceeding greatness of His power (Eph. 1:19) With His riches that have no sorrow (Proverbs 10:22) With a blameless spirit, soul, and body (1 Thess. 5:23) And keep you Strengthened with might by His Spirit (Ephesians 3:16) Rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17) From falling and present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Jude 24) From the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:4) The Lord make His face to shine upon you With the brightness of His wisdom (Ecclesiastes 8:1) With a zeal for good works (Matthew 5:16) To turn many to righteousness (Daniel 12:3) To deliver you from your persecutors (Psalm 31:15) Be gracious to you That you may receive all that pertains to life and Godliness (2 Peter 1:3) So that you can abound to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8) To turn sufferings into the power of Gods love (2 Corinthians 12:9) Lift up His countenance upon you That you may have fullness of joy in His presence (Psalm 16:11) To cause your face to shine with His glory (2 Cor. 3:7) To give you good things that will bring you gladness (Psalm 4:67) And give you peace By being yoked to Christ (Matthew 11:29) That surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7) That comes through the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) That overcomes all human fear (John 14:27) June 17, 2012

THE POWER OF A SPOKEN BLESSING

The Pain of a Verbal Curse Why We Dont Bless Offenders need to suffer Jesus: Vengeance is mine. Account of Joseph The Power Behind Blessing Our words, Gods Word, and of Gods Name How Blessings Build Faith Blessing is not based on merit Blessing = what God wants Blessing for good or for evil Ira Sankeygypsy boy Blessing After Wedding Vows Greater intimacy in marriage Biblical basis: 2 Peter 3:9, Eph5:25, John 15:3 Jesus sanctified by Word (John 17:19)

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-27)

The Awesome Act of Blessing God I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1) Bless His Holy Name, His Character, His Mighty Deeds Make Blessings a Blessing A blessing must be recognized as valuable and beneficial. It must not be seen as a reproof or sermon, but as a genuine expression of love. Speak as the oracles of God The Priestly Blessing The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

_____________________________ a Biblical Blessing The Lord bless you With the fullness of His salvation (Ephesians 1:23; 3:19) With the spirit of wisdom in Christ (Ephesians 1:17) With the hope of His calling (Ephesians 1:18) With the exceeding greatness of His power (Eph. 1:19) With His riches that have no sorrow (Proverbs 10:22) With a blameless spirit, soul, and body (1 Thess. 5:23) And keep you Strengthened with might by His Spirit (Ephesians 3:16) Rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17) From falling and present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Jude 24) From the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:4) The Lord make His face to shine upon you With the brightness of His wisdom (Ecclesiastes 8:1) With a zeal for good works (Matthew 5:16) To turn many to righteousness (Daniel 12:3) To deliver you from your persecutors (Psalm 31:15) Be gracious to you That you may receive all that pertains to life and Godliness (2 Peter 1:3) So that you can abound to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8) To turn sufferings into the power of Gods love (2 Corinthians 12:9) Lift up His countenance upon you That you may have fullness of joy in His presence (Psalm 16:11) To cause your face to shine with His glory (2 Cor. 3:7) To give you good things that will bring you gladness (Psalm 4:67) And give you peace By being yoked to Christ (Matthew 11:29) That surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7) That comes through the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) That overcomes all human fear (John 14:27) Key: curse, faith, blessing, Priestly, Design June 17, 2012