And it happened as He spoke these things, that a certain woman in the crowd spoke out to Him, "Blessed is the womb tHat bore you and the breasts that nursed you". But Jesus said to her, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it" (Luke 11: 27 -28)

Let me say it loud and clear, christians like to be blessed, especially when they are from where I come from. So you see and read on social media things purported to be blessings from God.

For example, things like:

if you believe I am a prophet,

shout Amen and blessing will from Heaven to your house,

send this to 10 people in five minutes and receive10 blessings from God,

according to Psalm 91, send 91 dollars right now and receive 91 blessings,

sow a seed of 1000 dollars and receive a blessing,

100 dollars for each year that you have lived on earth, and on and on and on.

These things make me question whether we Christians are mostly ignorant, or deceived or bewitched, and whether we are being taught the true gospel and the purposes and ways of God in dealing with man as given to us in the Scriptures.

To be frank and true with you, these are merchandising the gospel and since we love it that way, the self-serving men of God take advantage of it and lead us down that path. And the results are that no one is truly blessed. My hope and prayer are that we will get back to the fundamentals of God's truth and the true teachings of the scriptures, so that the people of God can be truly blessed and that by God. And the way forward is what the Lord Jesus pointed a woman to in one of His teachings which is for our devotion today.
The Lord was teaching in Bethany and from the background, He was explaining some spiritual issues to them concerning evil spirits and their works on human life. A woman, who was listening to the teaching (may be was witnessing the teaching from experience), shouted out loud by saying, the woman who gave birth to you is blessed. However, the Lord on the contrary, pointed her to what to do to be blessed by God. He connected the woman to hearing and obeying the Word of God. To receive God's word or message and obey it, is not just the beginning of wisdom, but also blessing. What is the Lord trying to teach the woman? Only one person was supposed to give birth to the Christ, but to be blessed of God is fpr all people. And it all begins with the receiving end obeying His word of truth. So while Mary was blessed for giving birth to the Christ, we can also be blessed by hearing and obeying Christ.
Apostle James even laid much emphasis on what Jesus was revealing to the woman and to us, that those who continue in the word and do it will definitely be blessed (James 1: 22 -25). As the psalmist says, such a person is like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which bears fruits in season, and does not wither in the dry season, and whatever he does shall prosper ,(Psalm 1: 3).

So the way to the blessing of God and being blessed of God are linked to contact with God through His word and obedience to the word.
Moreover, we the new covenant people are even at advantage, because we don't work for blessing or do things to be blessed for we are already blessed in Christ Jesus, (Eph 1: 3) so we work and obey from blessing, which in turn, triggers more blessings.
More also, the blessings of God are not measure in material and financial possessions. Even some Satanists have more material things and money than ardent Christians. It's unfortunate that our interpretation of God's blessing is critically flawed. Actually you and I are blessed not because we have money or things, but because of Who we are in the Lord and the God we belong to. Of course, His blessing upon us can make you and I rich and prosperous, especially when we know how to cause them to manifest.
We should remember, God has shown the people of old how to be blessed, prosper and succeed (Josh 1: 8, Deut 28: 1 -14). We must therefore go back to the basis and to the true teachings to be blessed.
So as you go through the day and live life, know how to be blessed and walk in that blessing and come out of deception.
May the Lord point you to your blessing and cause you to manifest them. And may He prosper the work of your hands in Jesus name. Amen

pray with me

Thank you Father for blessing us in Christ. Enable us to walk and manifest your blessing on our lives. Teach us how to translate our spiritual blessing into material blessing. Help us come out of deception and witchcraft in the house of God. Thank you Father in Jesus name. Amen

My hands are blessed and every thing I touch shall be sanctified and prosper in Jesus name. Amen
Meditate on today's word and use it to pray
Shalom, life and grace to you
Moving people unto God's purposes

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