“God doesn’t want you to strive in search of blessing. He wants you to thrive in the power of His blessing.”- Alan Wright
“[Jacob] blessed them that day and said, ‘In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’ So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.”- Genesis 48:20 (NIV)
Alan Wright concludes his Introduction to The Power to Bless as he talks about a blessing Jewish fathers have said to their sons for thousand of years. But, Alan wonders, why choose Ephraim and Manasseh? After all, Jacob put his right hand, which symbolized the stronger blessing, on his younger grandson, Ephraim. Of course, in doing so, Jacob violated all social norms.
However, this prominent and powerful blessing reveals four essential gifts. Gifts God desires you to receive and share with others. It’s also the message of this book>
- Security. Blessing assures us. Secure and confident in that love, we soar.
- Freedom. Blessing secures release from the binding power of yesterday’s pain.
- Fruitfulness. Blessing releases our productivity.
- Favor. Blessing extends us beyond our limited human skills and abilities.
Certainly, just because you’ve received blessing doesn’t mean that all your problems vanish. But it does mean that you, as well as the people you bless, can receive more joy. It also helps you eliminate negative thoughts, embrace opportunities, and allows the Holy Spirit to fill you with God’s power.
Above all, Pastor Wright believes, blessing = the most powerful tool for change in the world. After God’s work through prayer. While it’s not magical, it’s thoroughly biblical.
In conclusion, Alan underscores, blessing rarely comes naturally to most people. Thus, Pastor Alan shares his simple, four-step process for crafting a biblical, life-empowering blessing. So, don’t strive in search of blessing. Instead, thrive in the power of His blessing.
Today’s question: What Bible verses help you thrive in the power of His blessing? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Unconditional love and affirmation”
