Blessing and Miracle Study Kick Off

Video Transcript: When I began to put this study together I came to realize I had the wrong idea about the words bless, blessed and blessing. I was swept up with the #blessed movement that took place a few years ago. I did not take the time to really understand what blessing is, just going along with the idea of being thankful for material blessing in a way that really bordered on bragging, hidden around gratitude. 

What does bless, blessed and blessing really mean then? How are they defined? One of the problems I encountered was every definition included the word bless so I looked for explanations that will hopefully help develop the nuances. We will explore each of these concepts, definitions by looking at the Greek and Hebrew forms of these words: barak(h), eulogeo and makarizó closer when we look at the highlighted passages each week to deepen our understanding and appreciation. 

How do we generally view blessing? If we are in need, or are struggling with needs that are unmet? Are people in poverty or without an abundance of things not blessed?  

Do we think that if we are successful, have a good marriage, great kids, good friends, and are well thought of in the community, healthy, and financially set, wouldn't you say this is blessing in abundance? Above and beyond? What happens when we have everything we want and everything we need? Who do we tend to rely on when we have no needs? Usually ourselves. We may believe God richly blessed us, that we earned it or deserved it but do we give Him credit or give Him thanks? If God gave us above and beyond is it only for ourselves or did He want us to share the blessings? Getting gifts often makes us focus our gratitude on the gift and not the giver. 

I have lived in need. Most of us have at one time or another. It was during these times that God was at work in my life to show me His love and provision. I have to say that I didn’t blame God for not having things or curse Him because others had more than I did.  It has deepened my faith in retrospect to know He was the one who pursued me and wanted a relationship. If you hear a story of profound need, you will probably find a story of profound redemption. We want to break those myths of the perfect and #blessed lives and talk about how God found us in the mess, the times of deep need, sharing so that others who are in those times know that God is who we rely on. 

The key to understanding blessing is to praise God whether we are in times of need or abundance. Sometimes we blame God for loving others more because they seem to have so much more. Or maybe we find ourselves in times of need and are not getting our prayers answered and the frustration of waiting for God to fulfill those needs. The biggest blessing is a relationship with Him. Knowing Him. Trusting and resting in Him. 

In the weeks to come let’s go on a journey together to solidify what it means to bless, be blessed and be a blessing and the miracles we see when we are walking in faith. 

Denise