2022 IS ALL ABOUT YOU
Dr. Paul Taylor
I have always taken some time at the beginning of a new year to ask God to give me something to hold on to as we move into the year ahead. A word of direction. Usually it would rhyme with whatever year it was. This year is 2022.
The word of direction is “2022 is all about you!” What do I mean? We know what God has done through His Son Jesus Christ. “IT IS FINISHED!” So the question is, “What am I going to do in 2022?” It is about you, me. Will you seek Him? Will you pray? Will you hunger and thirst for Him? Will you be Jesus to the world around you? Will you be the Blessing to others that God has been to you?
This year when writing to my children at Christmas, a yearly tradition of mine, I shared with them the book, “The Blessing” by John Trent, and Gary Smalley.
This book made me aware that I possess something very powerful called The Blessing. Not just me, but both my wife and me.
I believe the blessing is of incredible importance to our children, but I also believe we can BE THE BLESSING TO OTHERS.
As parents we possess the ability to bless or curse our children. You have this same ability and that is why I am sharing this message with each of you.
I remember vividly the time I taught this book when we were still a small but growing church.
I asked those in the class, how many received their parent’s blessing? I was amazed that there was only one other person in the entire class that had received their parent’s blessing. I am not going to take time to tell you what is in the book, but only that it is critical to the future of your children and the generations to come.
Briefly, in the Bible the blessing was given by the father to the eldest son. What the authors of the book share is that parents can give the blessing to all their children and we can BE the blessing to others. Times have changed, but the principles of the Bible remain just as powerful.
In the Bible it was a specific event when this giving of the blessing took place. The authors show that the giving of the blessing is not just a one time event, but a lifetime of little things done consistently that pass the blessing on to our children and others. They break the blessing into 5 parts. You can make a difference. These 5 principles are:
1. Appropriate meaningful touch.
2. A spoken or written message.
3. Attaching high value.
4. Picturing a special future.
5. An active, genuine commitment.
It is amazing that when a person receives these 5 principles during their childhood, right through to adulthood, it creates a thriving, self confident person who is ready to face the challenges of life.
But this is not magic. There is still the personal responsibility of the individual, but what a difference it makes!
One of the most moving stories in the Bible is when Jacob received his father's blessing in place of Esau.
You can read the entire story in Genesis 27. In this chapter you will find the 5 part blessing. But I can feel Esau's anguish as he cries out, filled with bitterness, he pleaded with his father: "Bless me also, my father!" Genesis 27:34
The authors do not speak of the significance of Jacob's impersonating as Esau to receive THE BLESSING nor how Esau despised it throughout his life. Well it really happened. Esau despised the blessing and sold it for a plate of lentil soup. It's that the Blessing is for the child who wants it all his life.
“Once, when Jacob was preparing a stew, Esau came hungry, returning from the field, and asked him: “Give me some of that red stew there. I am starving!" That's why it was also called Edom.
Jacob replied, "Sell me your eldest son's right first."
Said Esau: “I am about to die. What good is this right to me?"
Jacob, however, insisted: "Swear first." He took an oath, selling his eldest son right to Jacob.
So Jacob served Esau bread with lentil stew. He ate and drank, got up and left. So Esau despised his right as an eldest son." Genesis 25:29-34
He despised the right of the firstborn. He despised the BLESSING OF THE FIRSTBORN JESUS. (Editor's Note)
But there people today are crying out for their parent’s blessing and yes, your blessing also. They may not vocalize it, but it is very evident as they search for meaning in life.
I was so blessed as a child to have received the blessing from my parents. You do not have to be a perfect parent or person to give the blessing. There is no such thing as a perfect parent, but if you will consistently apply these five principles, you also will transfer the blessing to others.
As a grandfather I am doing everything I can to give the blessing to my children and grandchildren. Thus, the purpose behind the Christmas family letters. A written message, attaching high value, as I picture a special future for each of my children and grandchildren. It is part of my commitment to God and to each of you.
I believe we can all give the blessing of Jesus Christ to others, because was have received this blessing from Him!
TPT (The Passion Translation we read, “Yahweh’s blessed ones receive the land, but the cursed ones will be cut off with nothing to show for themselves. When Yahweh delights in how you live your life, he establishes your every step… Not once have I found a lover of God forsaken by Him, nor have any of their children gone hungry. Instead, I’ve found the godly ones to be the generous ones who give freely to others. Their children are blessed and becoming a blessing.” Psalm 37:22,23,25,26
So, in 2022 will you be the blessing? This year is all about YOU! What will you do? You have been given the blessing. Will you in turn bless others by sharing the 5 principles given from the book “The Blessing”?
If you are a parent, it is essential that you apply these 5 principles on a continuous basis with your children. If you have no children, I challenge you to apply these principles in your daily life with those around you. Watch and see the difference it will make in the lives of others. BE THE BLESSING BECAUSE 2022 IS ALL ABOUT YOU!
Edited by Josimar Salum
#ASONE
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