The Power to Bless

 

The Big Idea: We have the choice to bless or curse people around us, whether intentionally or inadvertently.

The Power to Bless

I drove my four wheel drive truck a couple miles into the regional center of Kissidougou. Weaving left and right through local neighborhoods lined with tin covered houses and mud huts on bumpy roads and through mud, I finally arrived at my language coach's house. She was a beautiful woman with glowing skin and an infectious smile. It was only my second or third time to her place.

I greeted her as best I could."I ni ke."

"N ni ke. I ka kende ba?

"N ka kende…."

She launched into words I still had yet to learn and I looked bewildered. She laughed and grabbed my hand and started walking hand in hand with me, explaining in French. She said to me, "She who displaces herself from a far distance is blessed much more than the one who welcomes her."

What a beautiful saying, I reflected.

As an international worker in West Africa for ten years (1986-1996) I was required to study and become somewhat fluent in a local language. The language I was asked to learn was Maninka, a regional language in Guinea, West Africa. I had two language coaches and she was one of them.

WEST AFRICAN BLESSINGS

I wanted to find out more about all these Maninka blessings. There are a myriad of them for this society which is predominately made up of Muslims. Many of their sayings are blessings starting with "God".

"May God grant you heath."

"May God protect your journey."

"May God give you a good night sleep."

There are dozens and dozens of blessings. It is not uncommon to string a number of them together.  Guineans, though many of them are poor by our standards, are quick to give gifts and quick to give a blessing.

After my lesson with my coach I asked my language supervisor about my friend's blessing. Was this another common blessing? Hmm, he mulled. Though he was an American, he had grown up as a little boy speaking this language with his Guinean friends and worked there his whole life.  He was now nearing retirement. He was a very gifted linguist.

"No," he reflected, "I have never heard that one. She is a very gracious, nice woman. I suspect she was glad to see you and genuinely wanted to bestow on you this blessing. What a beautiful thought."

As I studied blessings, curses and West African proverbs, I thought of Klinger on the M*A*S*H* sitcom. He liked to use this curse. "May the fleas of a thousand camels nest in your armpits!"

MAGICAL BLESSINGS or VOODOO CURSES?

Those who know me, know that I usually end my correspondence with "Blessings, Diane." I am convinced that to bless or curse someone, even inadvertently, has power. I'm not talking about magical blessings or voodoo curses. I am talking about just the power of what we say to people and the impact that leaves.

Our gracious God has blessed us to make us a blessing. God told this to Abraham. 

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:2

 We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1: 3

Our words have great power. We see this shown in both the Old and the New Testament.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue.  Proverbs 18:21a

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.  James 3:10

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. I Peter 3:9

THE WAY WE TALK TO EACH OTHER IS ACTION

We have such potential to touch the lives of those around us. Granted we need our actions to reflect our faith. However I contend that the way we talk to each other IS ACTION, showing our heart. Can we show contentment and trust in God, spilling over with blessing to those around us? Or do we more often find ourselves with outbursts akin to curses. I'm not talking about the camel fleas in your armpits types. I mean do we say things like,

"You are never right!"

"You will never amount to anything!"

"If you believe that you are the most deluded person on the planet…"

Think about it. The things we say in stress, anger (even righteous anger) and pain can have barbs that will stick and sting much longer than a kind word will. They may drive those we love or hope to influence further away from us and from the truth. Is that really what we want?

A COVID THANKSGIVING

This particular season we are in as a nation is extremely challening; with the COVID limitations and stresses, the polarized political arena and stretching personal stressors. It is not natural to human nature to reach out, to bless others and reflect happiness and contentment when we are under trying conditions.  But that is not the way we as the people of God should be. We should bless, not curse.

It is Thanksgiving. It is a time for us to reflect with gratitude for all the Lord has done for us and given us. If you look again at Ephesians 1:3, it reminds us that we are blessed with every SPIRITUAL blessing. Your life of blessing may not be monetary or even good health, or an easy sweet life. But we are loved by a great God and His Holy Spirit is continually with us to comfort and to guide.

I recently reminded the women in my weekly Bible study that the fruit of the Spirit, listed in Galatians 5:22-23 are not conditional when we feel good, or everything is going our way. We cannot do these on our own because we try hard to be good. They are after all the fruit of the SPIRIT of God. The Holy Spirit. We rely on this Holy Spirit within us to produce this kind of life.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23.

May you overflow with blessing and thanksgiving in all you say and do, this Thanksgiving Season.

Up Next: Make the most of Advent

Previous Post:I’m a winner either way

I'm a Winner Either Way

 

The Big Idea: Funeral thoughts using Philippians 1:21, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain."

The Presence of Jesus Here of There

A day ago my husband and I went to a funeral a state away. We heard of  the passing of an old dairy farmer who needed one more stint to his heart. His family had become dear to my husband when he was their pastor about 30 years ago. We wanted to go, but read in the obituary due to these COVID times - "family only." The man's wife called. “I dared not ask you to come, but if you can please come. We think of you as family!”

My husband, in a dark suit and tie, and I in fashionable black and grey walked into the church which was decorated with John Deere tractors and miniature cows. As family arrived we chuckled as we realized we had missed the dress of the day: "Cowboy boots and Western Wear."

It was a COVID funeral with masks and social distancing. We watched the photo collage of non-COVID decades with Southern Gospel music in the background. The new widow was ushered to the front and as she sat before her beloved in the casket, she nodded her head raising a hand to the sky. As I listened to the song being played, the words gripped me.

I'm a winner either way, if I go or if I stay
For I'll still have my Jesus each passing day
I'll have my healing here below, or life forever if I go
Oh praise the Lord, I'm a winner either way. 

Wow, this is essentially Philippians 1:21, I thought to myself. 

            "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

The words were so comforting. I reflected on that truth that as we live here on this earth, we hope and joy in the presence of the Lord. His presence here with us on this earth may involve healing, or it may just be the peace of His comfort. But if He calls us heavenward to be with Him it is joy in His presence forevermore for those of us who love Him, who have accepted His gift of faith saving us from our sinful self.

EAVESDROPPING LIKE A FLY ON THE WALL

I felt a bit like I was eavesdropping like a fly on the wall at a private family gathering. Family shared how this man, this joyous loving father, grandfather, uncle etc. had modeled for them hard work with laughter and a love for Jesus. The officiating pastor, a family member, said he always said, "He will be with me or I will be with Him. I'm a winner either way."

A life well spent with the Bible at center stage is quite a legacy to leave. The peace this man felt as he milked cows up 'til the day he died was because of His love for God and His Word. He asked to have his casket brought to the cemetery using his old John Deere tractor towed in the manure spreader.  I believe he wanted us to remember he is now with the Lord and all the rest is manure such as the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:8. The word the Apostle used in the original language the New Testament was written in really means manure in this verse. Most of our modern translations don't put it so shockingly.  The Good News Translation says.

I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so that I may gain Christ 

If you do not know what it is like to have such an amazing relationship with Jesus as your Lord, please write to me at dianewido@scripturespy.com, or talk with someone who does have this kind of relationship with God. It is worth the peace and joy (not to mention eternity with Jesus) and is of great comfort in this turbulent COVID period.

I looked up this song when I got home today. I grew up singing this kind of music with my family around the family piano. It is a song my father would have loved. I wondered why we never sang it or heard it.  I found out it was written as recently as 1993 by Lori Curtis and Tina Lewis.

1)

A LOVED ONE KNEW HE'D REACHED THE END OF LIFE'S JOURNEY,
BUT HE'D BEEN HOLDING TO GOD'S HAND A LONG, LONG TIME
AND AS I KNELT BESIDE HIS BED,
MY HEART WAS THRILLED AT WHAT HE SAID,"
IF I GO, OR IF I STAY, THE VICTORY IS MINE."

CHORUS)
I'M A WINNER EITHER WAY, IF I GO OR IF I STAY
FOR I'LL STILL HAVE MY JESUS EACH PASSING DAY
I'LL HAVE MY HEALING HERE BELOW, OR LIFE FOREVER IF I GO OH PRAISE THE LORD, I'M A WINNER EITHER WAY.

2)
NONE OF US REALLY KNOWS ABOUT TOMORROW,
WE MUST PREPARE TO GO TO HEAVEN ANYDAY
BUT WHILE WE'RE HERE LET'S TRUST THE LORD,
HE'LL LEAD US SAFE TO OUR REWARD
AND BY HIS GRACE, WE'LL BE A WINNER EITHER WAY

CHORUS)
I'M A WINNER EITHER WAY, IF I GO OR IF I STAY
FOR I'LL STILL HAVE MY JESUS EACH PASSING DAY
I'LL HAVE MY HEALING HERE BELOW, OR LIFE FOREVER IF I GO OH PRAISE THE LORD, I'M A WINNER EITHER WAY.

by Lori Curtis and Tina Lewis

Up Next: The power to bless

Previous Post:Three Stooges prayer lines

Three Stooges Prayer Lines

 

The Big Idea: Use Bible verses to coach others how to pray.

Using God's Word to Learn to Pray Outloud

As a Christian parent there is a certain responsibility to teach your children how to pray. Praying out loud is a skill that takes practice.

As a rookie Christian worker headed to West Africa learning to speak French, one of the hardest things was learning to pray out loud. It was a bit tricky. You close your eyes but you can't see other people's reactions to what you say if you misstep with an odd word. Additionally it is not reciprocal where you start a conversation and others interact like normal conversation would be. Instead it feels a bit like making a speech.

I recall sweaty palms when I launched into a prayer for the first time at a prayer meeting in France. It was a pretty short prayer. However, praying out loud is not just for God's sake. It is for those around you too. It may be on their behalf asking God for healing or help with a difficult situation. It blesses people. Additionally it allows them to agree with you in prayer before God. Matthew 18:20 says "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Three Stooges Prayer Lines

We have a young adult son who has High-functioning Autism. He talks. He drives. He is, in fact, very smart. However, Autistic folks often have difficulty finding words useful for conversation. These skills need to be honed and coached. Some with Autism find it much easier to talk using lines from a movie or TV shows they like. Our son loves Three Stooges lines.

But Three Stooges lines in prayer only go so far, especially in church. As our son became a young adult about fifteen years ago, it dawned on me that he is not at all comfortable praying out loud. I could let it go, but he has such a tender heart towards God and is involved in the church, it seemed beneficial that he get comfortable praying out loud.

He agreed for me to coach him on this. Over a summer, we decided we would pray together using the Bible. We knelt down at the sofa in the living room daily. I would pre-decide a passage, often in the Psalms designating about six verses, and prop it up on the sofa. One would read a verse out loud then pray using the prompts in the verse as a guide. Then the next one would take a turn doing the same thing. Here is an example from the first couple verses of Psalm 34.

I will extol the Lord at all times;
    his praise will always be on my lips.

 

"Dear Lord, we love you and we praise you because you are amazing. Help us never to give up on prayer but to keep prayer always on our minds."

² I will glory in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

 

"God, help us to always give glory to you. Help us to remember to pray for those who are sick, and encourage them, God. Help our friend ____ who is sick right now and heal him quickly."

³ Glorify the Lord with me;
    let us exalt his name together.

 

"God, thank you that the two of us can pray together to you whenever we want to. Help us always praise you."

 

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.

 

"Dear Lord, thank you for always hearing our prayers. Remind us to always come to you with our problems.  And thank you for helping us with our fears, God. Please help me today with ____ that worries me a lot."

 

A Prayer Handle

 

So you can see from eavesdropping into our prayer conversation with God how easy it is. The prayers do not need to be long. I love it that God's Word gives us fresh ideas for prayer.

 

It is useful to pray through the Psalms, or the Epistles. These devotional types of writing are more conducive to prayer than narratives such as Genesis or Matthew, or genealogy lists or the Law such as Leviticus.

 

Our son Bob has become very comfortable praying out loud. When we ask him to pray with the family he usually prefaces it with, "What should I pray for today?"

 

It gives him a handle. He then prays simple but beautiful prayers for the need. He attends a prayer group at our church for the Persecuted Church. A couple years ago a man who attends that group told me about his participation. "Your son Bob has the most wonderful prayers. They are so meaningful and sincere. I love to hear him pray. He should teach a class on prayer sometime."

 

When I say our prayers out loud bless those around us, this, to me, is a good example.

 

This method of prayer training is not limited to praying out loud in a group. You can use Bible passages to coach yourself how to pray on your own too. Try it sometime.

Up Next: I'm a winner either way

Previous Post: Walk N Pray

 

Pray for our nation

.

 Let’s keep our nation in prayer. Chalk drawing by Pastor Jim Hicks. Used with permission

Walk 'n Pray

The Big Idea: What a prayer walk is and how to try it out. 

Praying with Your Eyes Wide Open

What is the proper position to pray? I think of the head bowed, eyes closed, and hands folded together. It makes a pretty picture. Actually there are a number of places in the Bible, especially observing Jesus' prayer life, where he went to a solitary place, knelt down and prayed. The kneeling is a posture of humility. Closing eyes is often a good idea to keep us from distractions.

The Bible shows several positions of prayer. Included are hands stretched to the heavens (I Kings 8:54), weeping prostate with face down (Ezekiel 10:1), lifting hands in prayer (I Timothy 2:8) and a variety of postures.

Prayer is merely talking with God. Numerous situations lead us to pray; personal concerns, giving thanks, confession, asking for healing, giving a prayer of blessing or dedication, praying on behalf of a crisis, adoring God in worship, and so many more possibilities.

PRAYER WALKS

Let me introduce you to praying as you walk. Pray with your eyes open. You don't want to walk into a shrub or stop sign! Sometimes a visual cue will prompt you with a prayer topic. You won't get bored. You can pray to yourself or pray out loud. You could go alone or pray along with someone.  You could even go with a group of people for a purpose. There are numerous situations where this works.

• Walk for exercise chatting with God along the way as you would with a friend.
• Walk in your neighborhood and pray for your neighbors.
• Walk around your children's school ground and pray for teachers, students, your children…
• If you are a college student, pray for your education, financial needs, your teachers, fellow students as you walk through campus.
• On vacation or for spiritual refreshment walk in God's beauty praising Him in worship.
• Walking through the grocery store say a prayer for those who are hungry and in physical need. God may prompt you in the international food section for a part of the world. A missionary I knew from Costa Rica asked us to pray for her when you see bananas with a sticker from Costa Rica.

 

FRIEND OF GOD

If you are completely new to this, allow yourself to start small. Perhaps the first time you do this you will pray covering two blocks and not know what more to say.  Good for you! Try again on your next walk and get more comfortable with this.

Get creative and try a fresh new idea for conversing with God. James 2:23 calls Abraham a friend of God. Friends spend time together. Learn to be God's friend.

Up Next:  Three Stooges Prayer Lines

Previous Post: An easy hour in prayer