NOTES TO THE FAMILY
We really enjoyed seeing those of you who attended the family reunion. Leah has given me the pictures she took and I have attached them. Perhaps a video scrapbook can be made to show the progress of the reunion over the years to come.
As I mentioned to you, I keep an issue of The Benediction posted on my web site for download at all times. It is not the only thing there and I really believe you will enjoy the content of the site, https://www.wh.org/.
I wanted to followup on the discussion of Scripture began on our last day, and rehearse what I see as our entitlements. I want to do this mainly because although for most of our lives most of us have been members of local congregations that profess belief in God’s word, we may not have appropriated all that is contained in the Word. I know I had not and because of I had not I must work constantly to overcome the habits established for over the pass 50 years.
Within the last five months I have practiced rising early before work and reading aloud (confessing audibly) significant promises contained in the Word and appropriating them for me for that day. The reading aloud is important because it helps me exercise my speaking voice and it overtakes the negative things I have heard and spoken over the years. My daily confessions are 2222 words that cover four typewritten pages. I read the Scripture, and then state words to the effect, “Thank you Lord. I receive this word and stand on it. Thank you that you have spoken this blessing over me.”
I cannot go over all of the Scriptures today, but the following have been brought to my attention as important to cover
- Deuteronomy 7:15 KJV And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
- It is important that we take what is said exactly as it is said, and attempt to understand it anew without former interpretations. In this vein, the highlighted sections of the scripture are important–> pretty much any disease known today is not intended for us who have accepted Jesus as Lord and savor. We have heard of Polio, Hypertension, Arthritis, cancer, etcetera. That we have heard of (know of) these diseases is a good thing, because our knowledge assures us that God will not put these diseases upon us.
- I also take the last part of this verse literally, “but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.” Some will interpret “thee” to mean only those who have not accepted Jesus. I include that, but to me the verse says that any who would dare to hate me are also in big trouble, regardless of whether they have accepted Christ. And I need not know who they are. I may not even know when or whether an offense ha s occurred.
- Psalms 138:7-8 KJV Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and
thy right hand shall save me. {8} The LORD will perfect that which concerneth
me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own
hands.
- Verse eight has great meaning to me. I take it literally. But it goes beyond family -–> anything that concerns me to include my employment, business opportunities and associates. My friends and associates will benefit because of their friendly association with me.
- There is nothing I have to do here, it is a fact stated bu God, I simply accept what He has said.
- Malachi 3:10-12 KJV Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. {11} And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. {12} And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
God invites us to test Him with the tithe. And if we do, He will bless us beyond measure, and ensure that what we accumulate is not wasted or taken by unexpected occurrences such as an automobile accident that eats up the proceeds from a sale of land, or medical expenses that eat up our savings. And others will actually recognize that we are blessed.
In closing, don’t forget that God has provided us a way of helping others and ensuring our blessing; Psalms 67:5-6 KJV Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. {6} Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.