CHAPTER 39: THE ART OF THE BLESSING 2024
Let’s make the difference between a Blessing and a Miracle. I had to do that for myself, so this is where I am with it. A Blessing is the information God gives regarding a Miracle, sort of the manual/instruction booklet for said Miracle.
A Miracle is an amazing thing I had nothing to do with. Children, my company, spouse, these are miracles I had nothing to do with, but for sure once I had them, I needed instructions on how to proceed.
You see, a Miracle is a Divine gift from a Divine God. I’m not a Divine being, I don’t know how to use these Miracles? So guess what, that’s to be expected. He sends instructions in each Blessing. He teaches me how to run my business, handle myself, study, pray, He directs my day and teaches me to listen, these are all blessings. How I handle those Blessings is the nature of 39, The Art of the Blessing.
Luke 6:38
New International Version
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Like a beautiful painting I’m personally painting on a blank canvas with brush strokes and paint provided by the Master. How do I then paint my blessing for the rest of the world to see?
Something as simple as an email. How do I write my emails, grammar perfect, lead, teach and inspire the recipient, even though it might be a tough subject or complicated. Do I re-read and edit for better presentation? Follow up with a text, email or phone call to support the direction given.
Luke 16:10
Holman Christian Standard Bible
10 Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.
A carefully orchestrated presentation in the Blessings provided. Artistic, creative and beautiful, keeping in order the Miracle God has given me, guided in detail by the Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 30:11-14
11 “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you, and it is not beyond your reach. 12 It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ 13 It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ 14 No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.
Art is a beautiful way to display what the Lord is doing with me. My notes crafted perfectly on the page, the office, house, chores, financials, reports, absolutely anything I do, do with expertise, a sense of workmanship, craftsmanship, art.
Philippians 2:14-15
New International Version
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
Sometimes that’s impossible. I understand, so did Jesus. Try as He might to teach and love others, wrap the message up in a wonderful teaching, some days, the Messiah had a rough go of it.
One day, he dropped by the temple — instead of a holy place, he found the whole place full of vendors, kind of like the swap meet on Saturday morning at the Drive-In theater parking lot. Not a good day for Jesus or the vendors.
Matthew 21:12-17
12 Jesus went into the temple courtyard and threw out everyone who was buying and selling there. He overturned the moneychangers’ tables and the chairs of those who sold pigeons. 13 He told them, “Scripture says, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you’re turning it into a gathering place for thieves!”
You see, even Jesus has a rough time with the Art of the Blessing, but you knew that, this wasn’t the only time, there are many. The lesson for 39 is that the Messiah went right back to work, exhibiting Blessings of instruction and Miracles.
Matthew 21:14
New International Version
14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.
And like Jesus, we need to do the same, go back to work and make it look easy, giving all the Glory to God. Artful, is found in the handling of every single situation, no matter what the challenge.
Isaiah 43
“I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Even so there is challenges, the testing of your Faith. You will come against great opposition. How do you possibly have good cheer? Scripture, we remember.
Romans 8:33-34
33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
That scripture tells you there is nobody who can come against you and make it stick. God has you. Justifies: to be acquitted, vindicated, having all record, convictions, guilt and shame expunged. That is more than enough reason to desperately try and make beautiful each step of the Lord’s work on your list today.
Psalm 23:1-4
New King James Version
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
The Art of the Blessing is my style, pinash’, my example of a relationship, how I roll with people, places and things the Lord has seen fit to give me. How I handle the miracles God gave me for His glory, not mine. What if I do it wrong? He knows you’re trying.
Revelation 3:8
I know your works. Because you have limited strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name, look, I have placed before you an open door that no one is able to close.
How do I copy notes, are the legible, usable? Do I take notes? How do I complete paper work necessary to keep my business in order? Is it beautiful? Accounting ledgers can be incredibly, brilliantly beautiful. Is my language, with others, perfectly suited to the conversation without foolishness and nonsense, careful to place perfectly every word and examine every tone as to lead, teach and inspire. Do I give time to all the gifts the Lord has given? Some can paint, play an instrument, build, woodworking, all these things in addition to the gifts of business, sales, marketing and a solid stellar days work. Do I do them all or have I decided what is important and what needs to be cut! Don’t cut anything! Use it! Learning honor, goodness, love, humility, knowledge and wisdom all wrapped up in a day for Him, by Him.
2 Corinthians 13:5
New International Version
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
Don’t fail the test. Use the information, the Blessing He has laid out in front of you to handle the Miracle of your life. With what He’s given, create brilliance in your efforts.
2 Peter 1:10
Holman Christian Standard Bible
10 Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble.
“The Bema Seat of Christ.” Happens at the Rapture. On your way to Heaven, there’s a short stop in front of Christ. An assessment Jesus makes on each one of His believers for what that person has done with the gifts of redemption, the yield, if you will.
2 Chronicles 15:7
New International Version
7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what we have done whether good or bad.” I consider that when I wake up in the morning. Everyday I get to decide whether or not I am Man of God or jerk. It’s up to me, and somedays I get a B-, somedays a C+, somedays I fail. In God, the blood of Christ, I get another shot the next day and I try again, remembering 39, the Art of the Blessing.
It’s like Christmas for God every day. Think about something. Isn’t it fun to wrap the gifts for your children on that morning? You know what they want. You’ve done everything possible to get that gift in a beautiful box with splendid wrapping and a bow. Think of doing that for Christ. He has taught each of us how to use the Blessing of knowledge/the Holy Spirit, the Word. How to create from the palate of colors, The Art of the Blessing.
Exodus 31:3-15
New International Version
3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.
Chapter 39 The Art of the Blessing 2024 is the gift you have for Him, wrapped in a beautiful box, beautiful paper and a beautiful bow — and is exactly what God wanted from you. How exciting to watch Him open your gift. What a great way to start a day. By the way, want to know who you are to Him?
Ephesians 1:13-14
New International Version
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
He made you and gave you your life, you are made of God’s brilliance by God himself. Pretty cool, right? Give back, all you’ve got, better than your best, from the gifts you’ve received — Amen, Amen. Chapter 39 The Art of the Blessing.
