The Lord Jesus has appointed me the role of Prophet, to equip the saints for their Ministries. (Eph 4:11-12)
In order to help each person, clearly be able to hear His voice, trust it, walk it, and believe they have a direct line to Heaven every moment of their life for wisdom and revelation.
Yet at the same time understand the Lord speaks differently to each individual for He created them and knows their personal nature. All of the bible is in the Lord, but not all of God is in the Bible.
We know Fullness can be only found in Jesus! A ‘vulnerable and transparent’ relationship centred in unconditional love, Jesus.
One on my greatest delights is taking up questions from those who comer to me about the Lord, His ways, thoughts and direction, around situations, circumstances, subjects and words.
When I receive one of these questions my first thought is carry it in a waddling cloth and present it to the Lord for His direction and wisdom. Along with the words for the person who asked, which can be understood and applied, without any of my thoughts or opinions.
In other words.. I put on white gloves and pick up what He says and deliver them back in the exact way and order the person inquired. This is so I don’t contaminate His precious word that will bring fulfilment.
The amazing and exciting thing is what I learn on the journey of discoveries, incredible gems of wisdom, revelation and the remarkable ways He speaks in incredible diversity to each of His children. (I just saw vision while typing this, the Lord eagerly waiting in excitement, Joy and hope for every word He gives to be unwrapped by us).
Why I mention all the above? Is to share how I approach questions proposed to me. Yet personal ones, I will only answer personally to the one it’s for. But sometimes the Lord allows me to share with consent of the person who asked the journey and discoveries found. As often there is a lot of people asking the same question or seeking the same answers about the Lord or a situation or circumstance they are facing.
On this journey the Lord led me to personally ask this question, What is His true understanding of a Blessing? It was as though the Holy Spirit had posed this question to ask the Lord (which is biblical for the Holy Spirit as our advocate).
As I enquired and pondered this question the Lord spoke this remarkable phrase that changed me forever.
The Lord said “the level of a blessing is to level (direct proportion) to the heart that giveth it and to the heart that receiveth it” ! Wow! He continued with, So how do you give a blessing and how do you receive a blessing ?
This question shocked me to the core, as it places an even greater importance on how I handle, receive, and pass on His word for every word from Him is and contains multiple blessings.
Did you realise that Blessing is found in almost everything we get, or receive from another?
Jesus words said:
Matthew 7:2 (NIV)
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” .
This verse and measure I believes applies to blessings too. So this verse could be rewritten
For in the same way you have a heart to bless others, you will be blessed, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” .
For the greatest blessing is found in how our hearts are, when we bless others or receive blessing from others .
Take Jesus He came to earth, to be a blessing and provide the greatest blessing reconciliation 1with the Father. This blessing was One with the Father, who out of a pure heart, gave His son, freely to be tortured and crucified as a selfless sacrifice for us. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!
Hallelujah today this blessing is still awaiting all that will receive it with a pure and surrendered heart. Yet the level of this blessing given in fullness, is only received by us, to the level we receive it. The received portion is determined by our heart response or posture.
This is some hard stuff to comprehend so let’s leave it here to ponder on.
I will continue in our next parts of this series, with how the Lord wants us to reflect His heart in giving and receiving blessings
Challenge time:
As this whole series relates to our heart lets start here:
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV“
People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Take this portion of scripture, a prayer from David, and personalise it for you.
May this be a daily prayer for you, to help bring restoration, reconciliation, or a great deep connection between your heart and God’s Heart.
Psalms 51:10-12 (TPT)
“Create a new, clean heart within me.
Fill me with pure thoughts and holy desires, ready to please you.
May you never reject me!
May you never take from me your sacred Spirit!
David’s Consecration
Let my passion for life be restored,
tasting joy in every breakthrough you bring to me.
Hold me close to you with a willing spirit
that obeys whatever you say”.
Father we ask for Your grace, mercy and Love, as we journey together to discover how to give and receive blessings. In Jesus name. Amen.
Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries
