"I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing."Genesis 12:2

When we read this passage of Scripture, the first thing that probably comes to mind are all the promises that God gave to Abraham and the nation of Israel. But it occurred to me that there is a bigger lesson that we can learn here. We tend to focus on the part of that scripture where God does the blessing -- but why did He bless Him? The answer lies in the passage! The Lord told Abraham: "I will bless you --- and you shall be a blessing." Abraham was blessed so that he could be a blessing! The same is true today. The Lord has done so much for us! He has blessed us with so many things, the most important of which is His mercy in that He died for sinners like us! He has bestowed us with so much grace! He has allowed us to come into His Kingdom and be a part of the great things He's doing! What we have received should not only be for our own enjoyment but for the salvation of a dying world around us! Brothers & Sisters, God gives freely to us so that we may give freely to others! Let's not be afraid to give out the blessings God has granted us! Share God's goodness! To whom much is given, much is required! WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR BLESSINGS?

"And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."2 Kings 6:15-17

So often in our walks with the Lord, let us focus on what we can see, what we can hear and what we can sense in the physical realm. Like the young man in Elisha's day, let's focus on the enemy’s attacks around and about us. At times we can get so focused on our physical circumstances that we forget that the Lord has already provided for us the victory! That servant was frightened by the size of the enemy's army heading their way -- but Elisha was focused on the Lord. He knew that God had a much bigger army prepared…and that is what won him the victory. Brothers & Sisters, do not fear, nor be discouraged! Let's allow our spiritual eyes to be opened today so that we may see that God has prepared a plan of victory from the beginning of time! Our victory is near -- so walk in that victory. WLK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT!

"Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the LORD!" Psalms 106:48

The word "Amen" (אָמֵן) properly pronounced in Hebrew "ah-mehn", means "so be it" or "may it be so", and also, "Yes, it is true!" Some scholars suggest a connection with the Hebrew word for truth, "emet" (אֶמֶת), because of the two similar root letters, "aleph"(א) and "mem" (מ). Truth ought to be confirmed. At the end of a prayer, saying "Amen" expresses the desire to affirm and confirm what was requested or proclaimed. Leha'ameen, (להאמין) means "to believe, trust or confide in", and all variations of this root (אמן) relate to "emunah" (אמונה): faith, belief, or faithfulness! Brothers & Sisters, saying "Amen" is no small matter, "...if two of you shall agree (affirm, confirm) on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven". When we pray in the Spirit (according to God's will) and agree together, we confirm our faith and our desire for the thing to be realized, affirmed... to be, or become true. This participation in the will of God expresses our assurance that His Word, His promises, and His love are reliable and trustworthy since He is the "way, the truth, and the life!” Experience faith by praying in the will of God together; and when you hear someone praying His will, say it confidently, "AMEN!!!" EXPERIENCE FAITH, (SAY "AMEN!)

"so that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes. For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind."Isaiah 65:16-17

In connection with the Hebrew Word "Amen", meaning "faith", "truth", "belief", and "trust", consider this revealing passage in Isaiah which further amplifies the dimensions of the word in the most wonderful and comforting promise: “He who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth ["Amen" in Hebrew]. And he who swears in the earth will swear by the God of truth ["Amen" in Hebrew]; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hidden from My eyes. For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. And the things before will not be remembered, nor come to mind.”[Isa. 65:16-17] Brothers & Sisters, this use of "amen" in Isaiah affirms the Divine consummation of all things. As we proceed through the painful birth pangs of this age leading to the glorious appearing of Messiah Jesus, we can reflect upon the miraculous promise that none of it will even be remembered!!! A new and perfect world awaits us; the God of AMEN declares it. Can you confidently say "AMEN! to that? LOOKING AHEAD!

"If you will not believe, surely you will not be established."Isaiah 7:9b

This passage in Isaiah contains a poetic play on words which is lost to any reader but one who understands Hebrew. A word for word translation runs something like this: “If not you will believe (lo ta-aminoo), surely not you will be established (lo te-amenoo).” The three letter Hebrew root – "aleph"- "mem"- "nun", is the same in both words, and the Holy Spirit through the prophet Isaiah is clearly playing on this root to emphasize His point. The same root letters are also used in the spelling for the familiar word "Amen" which literally means "truthfully". A study of the root of the Hebrew word for "Amen" reveals numerous related meanings: "le-heet-amen", "to practice or exercise" and "le-ha-amin", "to believe". And finally, the same root is found in the Hebrew word for "faith", "emunah". Simply through the inter-relationships of these similarly rooted words, it's not hard to see that real faith is intimately connected to real practice or exercise. James put it simply, "Faith without works is dead". True faith is an active faith, practicing faith, faith that is exercised-- and finally, faith that is truthful. Brothers & Sisters, this passage speaks of being established. How are you established in your walk? By practicing and exercising your faith truthfully...simple as that. Can you say "Amen" to that? CAN YOU LIVE OUT AN AMEN?!

"Let your way of life be without the love of money, and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, "Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you, never!" so that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me."Hebrews 13:5-6

The city of Laodicea was founded nearly three centuries before the birth of Christ. Built on a trade route, Laodicea was quite prosperous. The wealth of the city was legendary, as Jews who lived there sent 9 kilograms (20 lbs) of gold to the Temple in Jerusalem on a yearly basis according to historical records. By the time John penned the book of Revelation around 90 AD Laodicea had survived an earthquake 30 years earlier. Though partially destroyed the city refused Rome’s offer to help rebuild, insisting it could take care of itself — Laodicea was self-sufficient. Tacitus, the Roman historian, wrote: "Laodicea arose from the ruins by the strength of her own resources, and with no help from us.” The city was so wealthy it minted its own coins! Jesus's parable of the seed sown among thorns speaks of the "deceitfulness of riches" which "chokes the Word making the seed unfruitful". Laodicea's history exemplifies this danger, and John's letter to the church is the Holy Spirit's warning to all who fall into the temptation of prosperity: “Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” Brothers & Sisters, it's not difficult to understand how wealth can deceive us. Luxury, comfort and prosperity can make life in this world a lot easier, causing us to forget spiritual essentials. The Lord understands this when He says to the Laodiceans, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent." Jesus wants all of us to store our treasure where it won't rust or corrode, and where thieves can't get at it either. So be careful not to allow your wealth to destroy your spiritual health... or your eternal inheritance! DON'T BE DECEIVED BY RICHES!

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”John 7:38

Laodicea was an idyllic city except for its lack of a water supply. It depended on water from an external source, the city of Hierapolis located six miles to the north, the site of mineral hot springs which were used for medicinal purposes. These steaming hot waters were piped to Laodicea, arriving there... lukewarm, hence the metaphor in Jesus’s warning to the Laodicean church. Laodicea's lack of a water supply also rendered the city vulnerable to siege. Potential enemies were therefore, placated, accommodated, negotiated with or pleaded to compromise, as the city's leaders were desperate to avoid open conflict. A wealthy, pleasure-loving, vulnerable, easily compromised city seems to have produced a congregation of similar character. This combination of features makes it difficult to determine which one contributed most to the miserable spirituality of the Laodicean church. There seems to have been little true, living faith there, much less any demonstration of the power or holiness of God. Rather, the flesh ruled in Laodicea. Laodicea's lack of its own water supply, however, might have been a constant reminder of a promise Jesus gave to all who are thirsty: "If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water;" [John 7:37-38]. Brothers & Sisters, Laodicea's lack of water was a living natural metaphor which every Laodicean could have benefitted from, if it was rightly apprehended. The deficiency of water might have reminded them of a deeper need, and the Lord's offer to fulfill it most wonderfully. Remembering the Laodicean church we may all become aware of our own desperate thirst and also, receive HIS promise...rivers of living (Holy Spirit) water! DRAW FROM THE WELL THAT NEVER RUNS DRY!