Spoken Blessings, Part 2

 

A sweet comment left on the first post about Spoken Blessings caused me to realize that I was pretty ambiguous in my description. So this is a follow-up. In fact, it may turn into a chapter by chapter series of posts. It is that profound for me. You have been warned!

There is a belief among some that "positive thinking" or "name it, and claim it" is one of the "perks" for believers. That is not at all what I am speaking of when I refer to speaking blessings. 

In the book I mentioned in Part I, Bill Gothard gives example after example of how the Lord uses specific words spoken for the purpose of blessing to accomplish His will in the lives of those blessed. 

Foundational to understanding the power of this tool given to us by the Lord is the recognition of Him as the Source of all Blessing. He then allows us to channel His Blessings to those around us in His Name. And that is an important point.


This little book (only about 4" x 6" with 85 pages of text) is so full of important principles that it is going to take me a while to learn how to truly put all of them into daily practice. 


There are, among others, chapters on blessing our children, blessing our enemies, and blessing God. 

The first chapter is called "The Evidence of Power". In it Bill Gothard tells a powerful story about a grandfather who spoke horrible words to his granddaughter. She lived with those words festering in her spirit for years. The abusive words spoken over her as a young girl caused problems in many of her relationships as she grew up. It affected her marriage and her children and she didn't even understand the source. But when she learned about the principles of spoken blessings and that we are to bless those who curse us, she decided to obey in faith. She spoke a blessing over that grandfather and the Lord set her heart free. She then began applying this to other people who had spoken unkind words to her over the years, and as she obeyed in faith Peace flooded her heart. 

Gothard also tells the story of a single mother who had a very troubled son. She knew the Lord intended to bless him, but she honestly could not see any character qualities in him that she could praise. So she spoke words of blessing over her son for the qualities the Lord desired to develop in him. His attitude began to change. It was awkward at first. But she continued to bless him, as well as her other children, and the entire spirit of their home changed. The qualities she blessed him with began to grow in his heart through the power of the Lord. 

"The Evidence of Power" is in changed lives. In hearts, once burdened by feelings of inadequacy and bitterness, set free and filled with Joy and Peace. There is so much power when we use God's Principles to speak His Words as a channel of His Blessings to those around us.


Each chapter ends with a section called "Make the Decision" where the reader is challenged to apply the principles covered in the chapter. At the end of the first chapter, the question is asked about the expectations attached to reading this book. You are then challenged to lay those expectations before the Lord and allow His Holy Spirit to take charge and accomplish His Purpose in you as you read the following chapters. 


So, even though I finished reading the book today, I need to take a long look at these things and really allow the Lord to engraft them into my heart. I don't want to come away from this unchanged. After all, for me this year is a year of Blessing for me. I have so much to learn!


Chapter 2 of The Power of Spoken Blessings is called "The Power of a Name" and I will be chewing on it over the next few days.


To be continued . . .



(FYI: This little book is also available at Amazon, $9.99, and even as a Kindle version, $7.99. And, no, Amazon has no idea who I am.)


Previous Post about Spoken Blessings:
1. Spoken Blessings


Next Posts about Spoken Blessings:
3. But How Do We Actually Speak Blessings?
4. Unexpected Benefit
5. Chapter 6: Blessing Our Children
6. A Light Bulb Flips On