Welcome back to our Series, How to Give and Receive Blessings.
In part one we learnt that the level we receive a blessing is determined by the heart that gives it, and the love that receives it. So this incredible revelation means we need to be attentive in regularly taking account of our heart, when giving or receiving a blessing.
This is why our application was the prayer of David’s for the Lord to search our heart. Today we start on part 2 focusing on How to Give a Blessing.
One thing I have learnt on this journey the Lord has me on, whether making love with my wife, giving a gift to a family member or friend, or passing on a prophetic word to an individual.
The question is the same, AM I IN FOR WHAT I CAN GET OR WHAT I CAN GIVE & PROVIDE?
Yet the answer is going to set the environment or the packaging for the blessing to be delivered in and the pleasure that will come from it.
So often we give with a heart to get, but this will limit the giving of any blessing. Take Jesus’ story He came and surrendered His life freely. He was in for what He could give or provide, and He was the only one who could do it, we are incredibly fortunate He did.
I have started to prepare my heart every day and recheck it every time I give a blessing. What I have discovered is how much of a transformation I have seen in the person receiving the blessing, being the level of pleasure, acceptance and joy.
I have concluded from this, if we really want to learn how to give,it must be based on one thing unconditional love. The best scripture
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honour. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.
Love never stops loving. It extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten”.
The above words collectively describe unconditional love, the place, posture and position truly meant for giving a blessing.
Challenge time:
1. Under-line every word from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 that describes Love.
2. Take each underlined word, and slowly start to apply this heart action and conviction one by one, to be a blessing which you give.
3. Giving thanks for this very task the Lord has just pointed out will be a Romans 12:2 experience. First the heart then the mind will follow.
Let’s finish there and next time we will continue with How to Receive the Fullness of a Blessing Given to you.
Father, thank You for this teaching, wisdom and revelation. We ask Your help for us all to be able to pass on blessing without perception, but with unconditional love the way You intend for blessing to be given. In Jesus name. Amen
Craig Patten. Itinerate Pastor/Prophet. Encounter Ministries
