Blessing is a wonderful gift from the Lord and one that we see throughout the Bible. It is very powerful and a subject that needs much teaching. However, when advancing the Kingdom of God, blessing alone, although great at the time, is not enough to truly get things established. We see the many blessings prayed over people in the bible, e.g., Jacob blessing his sons. Some came into being, but those sons that built according to God’s pattern saw His Kingdom established and the blessings’ fulfilled. Building, according to God’s pattern, will last. Therefore, we need to build with purpose, passion, and unity. To build unity, we need to have a similar vision and values and be rooted and established in Christ. So, let us make sure we have a firm, secure, strong foundation. Below are some points that help us in that regard.
We are to be a Kingdom People: Romans 14:17-18 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.”
We are to serve God’s purposes: Acts 13:36a “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation…”
This means, in part, preaching the gospel, developing the priesthood, and raising and releasing leaders to plant churches so that we can disciple the nations, advance the Kingdom, and help prepare the Bride for the King. Ah, but you might ask, “But we are not church leaders, so how can we do this?” We are all called to share Jesus, His Word, His truths, etc. In this way, we can all disciple those around us to some degree. We can serve in the local church; we can serve wherever the Lord calls us to. For some, it might be planting a church, for others it might be volunteering at Children’s Church. It is not what we do but that we are willing to serve God’s purposes.
Our focus is Jesus Christ. He is and always should be our core focus. Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Only that which is done out of love for Jesus Christ, in accordance with the word, in dependence on the Holy Spirit and His power, and motivated out of a place of prayer and revelation will last.
Our expectation and faith lie in God. Isaiah 40:30-31 “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Romans 4:21 “…being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
Our Promise is The Lord’s favor and word to us. Isaiah 60:1-2 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”
Isaiah 61:1-6 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.
Isaiah 60:19-22 “The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more: the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor. The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in it’s time I will do this swiftly.”
To bring it all together, let us raise up strong churches that are radically biblical in their values, global in vision, apostolic in their ventures, accurately reflecting the Kingdom of God. To that end, we are trusting God to raise up a people who are passionate about Jesus, anointed with the Holy Spirit, and who would display the splendor and glory of God to the neighbors, neighborhoods, the nation, and other nations and to the generations.
Together, let us grow with love, passion, purpose, and unity for Jesus our King.
To quote Andrew Murray: “The more you hold on to God and commit yourself to His word and counsel, the more faithful you will stand. If you want to know how God will give you this steadfast spirit, it is by the Word.
Let the Word of God be your food. Inwardly absorb and appropriate it. Let it penetrate you and be flesh and blood to your spirit. Grow by His Word and have it dwell in you.
Then you will be established.”
