2008: Happy new year

2008: Happy new year

Posted on January 8, 2008

Dearly Beloved,

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV).

Once again happy and prosperous New Year (2008)!

As I have pronounced the priestly blessings found in Numbers 6:24-26 on you earlier this year, let me base my first message of the year on those blessings. God specifically ordered Moses to tell the priests to be pronouncing these blessings on the people of Israel. These blessings are for us today also.

The verb “to bless” is first used in Genesis 1:22 where “God blessed [the first created living things] and said, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth’” (NIV). There is a similar blessing in verse 28 where God blessed the first man and woman. The idea here is that the blessings of God have to do with multiplication of all good things from God.

They are the act of declaring (or wishing) the favor and goodness of God upon others. The blessings are not only the good effect of words; they also have the power to bring them to pass. They are the blessings of the LORD that bring wealth, and God adds no trouble to them (see Proverbs 10:22). Those whom God blesses are blessed indeed. His blessings will be yours this year.

The shining face of God and His graciousness are about His love, mercy and goodness. A Bible commentator paraphrased this second part of the blessings thus: may God illuminate your heart, giving you the true knowledge of yourself, and of your Maker, and may He show you His graciousness in pardoning your sins, and supporting your soul. This will be your portion in Jesus’ name.

The third part of the blessings is similar to the second part: the Lord will turn His face toward us to favor us for good and give us His peace and protection.

The Lord will indeed increase and multiply you this year with His goodness and favor. However, the blessings of God are for His children and those that are keeping His commandments. You also must be ready to do His will this year. Once again, the Lord bless you!

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
+234 805 515 9591
http://www.afolabay o.org/
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/spirituald igest2003/