How to Release 9 Blessings in Your Life {Blessing #9}

"Blessed are you when people insult you,persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Matthew 5:11,12

Blessing #9: a great reward in heaven.

To Release This Blessing:  The prophets took action; they spoke, they demonstrated, dreamed all with the power of God moving through them.  I believe this is the type of "because of me" acts that Jesus is referring to that brings persecution.  If we want to release this blessing, then we must do as they did.  Allow Jesus to live through you.

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These 9 Blessings are not easy to release or live out, but they are rewarding. Which of the 9 Blessings are you going to go after first?

 This post is originally from 2011 and I've re-vamped it from it's original post.  To view the 2011 version click here.   

How to Release 9 Blessings in Your Life {Blessing #8}

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"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:10

Blessing #8: the kingdom of heaven belongs to us.

To Release This Blessing:  I personally didn't really like this blessing at first, it doesn't sound like much of a blessing....I mean, persecution, who wants that?  But it is NOT a blessing to be persecuted because of our right and moral living, but the blessing is the kingdom of heaven. When we stand up for righteousness (right and moral living), persecution is a byproduct of that lifestyle.  Release this blessing in your life by living a life of righteousness.

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In deciding to follow Jesus, we are made righteous by his sacrifice for our sin on the cross.  When we display righteousness, persecution will follow.  -It just comes with the territory as heirs to the kingdom of heaven as a child of the King. 

This post is originally from 2011 and I've re-vamped it from it's original post.  To view the 2011 version click here. 

How to Release 9 Blessings in Your Life {Blessing #7}

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"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

Matthew 5:9

Blessing #7: we will be called a son (or daughter) of God.

To Release This Blessing:  If you are a follower of Jesus, then you are already a son or a daughter of God.  If you are a son or a daughter of God then you are a peacemaker.  Peace is in you, it is part of the DNA of the family and body of Christ placed in you through relationship with Jesus.  Choose to tap into the ability to release peace.

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You have the ablility to release peace in every situation because the God of peace is living in you.  

This post is originally from 2011 and I've re-vamped it from it's original post.  To view the 2011 version click here. 

How to Release 9 Blessings in Your Life {Blessing #6}

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"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God"

Matthew 5:8

Blessing #6: we will see God.

To Release This Blessing:  If you have made a decision to follow Jesus, surrendering your life to him, then all of the impure things in your life was reckoned at the cross. So when God looks at us, he sees a pure heart.  Everything that we repent for has been forgotten by God -and when I say forgotten, it is an on purpose kind of forgotten.  Release this blessing by repentance and embracing the truth that you are forgiven.

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Jesus has taken ALL of our impurities and washed away our blemishes and has made them white as snow.

This post is originally from 2011 and I've re-vamped it from it's original post.  To view the 2011 version click here. 

How to Release 9 Blessings in Your Life {Blessing #5}

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"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy"

Matthew 5:7

Blessing #5: we will be shown mercy.

To Release This Blessing:  Show mercy towards others and in return you will receive mercy.  The definition of mercy is to show compassion or forgiveness towards someone when it is within your power to punish or harm.

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Since Jesus Christ lives in you, as a follower of Jesus, you have the capability of showing mercy (compassion and forgiveness) as needed.

This post is originally from 2011 and I've re-vamped it from it's original post.  To view the 2011 version click here.  

How to Release 9 Blessings in Your Life {Blessing #4}

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"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6

Blessing #4: we will be filled with righteousness.

To Release This Blessing:   First we need to acknowledge our need for righteousness in our life.  Righteousness means right and moral living.  Now go beyond acknowledging and move into seeking. 

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When you are hungry then you will discover what it is to be filled.

This post is originally from 2011 and I've re-vamped it from it's original post.  To view the 2011 version click here.  

How to Release 9 Blessings in Your Life {Blessing #3}

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"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Matthew 5:5

Blessing #3: we will inherit the earth.

To Release This Blessing:   First we need to understand what it means to be meek.  Meek means a gentleness of spirit.  This translates as a dependency on Jesus verses asserting our own ways above God’s ways.

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This one of the blessings given to Abraham in Genesis and now belongs as a blessing for every follower of Jesus.  To inherit the earth is to embrace meekness resulting in authority and dominion over it.

This post is originally from 2011 and I've re-vamped it from it's original post.  To view the 2011 version click here.  

How to Release 9 Blessings in Your Life {Blessing #2}

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"Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted."
Matthew 5:4

Blessing #2: we will be comforted in mourning

To Release This Blessing:   It begins with salvation.  Then invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with his presence. Holy Spirit is also known as The Comforter and he will comfort you in every situation.  If you are in a time of mourning, ask him to release comfort over you now.

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When we are in relationship with Jesus, the presence of the Holy Spirit is one of the indicators that you are in relationship with him.

This post is originally from 2011 and I've re-vamped it from it's original post.  To view the 2011 version click here.  

How to Release 9 Blessings in Your Life {Blessing #1}

Have you ever been casually reading the bible and come across the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5?  What in the world is a beatitude? - I don't think I've ever used that word my whole life!  

Beatitude:  Supreme Blessedness; Sainthood; Saintliness

Ok...I don't use any of those words daily either, but after reading in Matthew chapter 5: 1-11 the word that I can most easily connect with is Supreme Blessedness. The scripture starts off by saying that Jesus sat down and began to teach the disciples the following beatitudes or rather the supreme blessedness. (Can we just shorten this word of supreme blessedness to blessings?) So, from now on I will refer to each beatitude as a "blessing".

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"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:3

Blessing #1: the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.  

To Release This Blessing:  Poor in spirit means to acknowledge your need for spiritual transformation; it begins with salvation.  Decide to follow Jesus with your whole heart.  It's not easy for us to surrender our own way of thinking, and our own way of living to follow the path that Jesus has for us.  

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When you surrender your life to Jesus, you become a part of the kingdom of Heaven subsequently opening the door for the blessings of Heaven to pour out onto your life.

This post is originally from 2011 and I've re-vamped it from it's original post.  To view the 2011 version click here.  

3 Ways to Know if You’ve Walked Off the Path of The Blessing

Life isn’t always peaches and cream.  

Life can unexpectedly serve up steamed green beans.  

In my life, I’ve found these 3 ways to be the most common ways I end up finding myself on a path that I didn’t plan on walking. 

Obviously, sin is the #1 answer, but I wanted to get a little bit more personal, so here we go!

1) Relationships.  I’ve chosen friends in my past, that are controlling and I end up becoming the friend that feels the need to make her happy to keep our friendship.  I’ve been a people pleaser.  After the fun of the new friendship wears off, and without healthy boundaries in place, I am resentful of that friend.  This relationship can also be dating relationships and marriages.  -Yikes! I know I’m speaking to someone out there who knows exactly what I mean. 

2) Misuse of Finances.  In years prior, I’ve wanted to fit in so badly with the community that surrounds me that I’ve racked up quite a credit card debt.  I didn’t honor God with the money that he’s blessed me with and I didn’t honor my husband.  I’ve been sneaky.  That path led to regret and mistrust between my husband and me.

3) Following Leaders Who Don’t Lead.  My husband and I have sat under the authority of leaders who don’t lead us deeper into the things of God.  We’ve innocently placed ourselves under such leadership with illusions of grandeur and false expectations.  When the promises fall flat, you see behind the curtain, and you realize it’s never going to happen.  This path is loaded with disappointment and unforgiveness.  This leader can also be a leader at work and in the home, such as your husband. -again, yikes! 

The good news is there is a way to get back onto the Path of the Blessing. -and when I say “the” I’m referring to God’s path for your life. 

If you want to know more, you can find my book, “Path of the Blessing: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob” on Amazon

Generational Blessings

Exodus 20:6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. (New Living Translation)

I love this picture of four generations from Pintrest

"To understand Abrams beginnings, we have to look back at the past.  Abram, who is later called Abraham, had a relationship with God.  He is recorded as one who walked with God on several occasions.  This is one of the defining generational blessings that Abram had received from his ancestry."  Path of the Blessing: Abraham, Issac, Jacob   

Pause for a moment and think about your family lineage.  Can you see how you are blessed today because someone in your past walked with God?

A Journey Begins with Vision

 Let your eyes look staight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.  Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.  Proverbs 4:25,26

A compass is the perfect example of a tool we can apply to our lives when choosing the right path to travel in life. -Just like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in "Path of the Blessing". These men discovered four specific ways to interact with God to discern which way was God's will for their lives.

Stability in the Storm {Part 2 of 4} Live a Giving Life

Give and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Luke 6:38

I’ve heard this passage preached on several times and from what I remember it has always been used in reference to finances and wealth.  Although that is not totally inaccurate, because that verse does hold true concerning wealth, I believe Jesus is touching on something broader. 

Give and it will be given to you

This giving, is giving to others which is different than giving to God. God is good to us regardless of our giving to him.  

Psalm 145:9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

In the previous verses in Luke 6:30, Jesus says to give to everyone who asks you and then in verse 35 he says to give without expecting to get anything in return.  Jesus is specifically referring to what he was just speaking about, which is loving others without expectation. Then in verse 38 Jesus explains this supernatural law: when you give, it will be given to you in the same measurement you originally gave.

Since God’s word is true and this is one of his laws, then ask yourself, what measurement am I using to give and what can I give to others?  Here’s what I’m working on:

                 -forgiveness

                -mercy

                -kindness

                -compassion

                -time

                -finances

                -love

                -friendship

                -acceptance

Now consider reading this list as what you will receive back, in the very same amount that which you gave.

This week, I’m challenging myself to use a bigger measure to give out to others.  Will you join me?  Make your own list of what you are able to give and what you want to receive back.  

This is a life of balance.  This is a life of stability; the life we are meant to live.

You can reach me on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pathoftheblessing

Stability in the Storm {Part 1 of 4} Live a Life Free of Expectation

This is a tough one.  

I have been in friendships that have had unrealistic expectations placed on me, and I’ve placed unrealistic expectations on friends.  

I’ve been in churches big and small that have had unrealistic expectations placed on me, and I’ve had unrealistic expectations that I’ve placed on leaders at churches and church structures.  

Oh in my mind, my expectations were very realistic…as I’m sure that’s what others would say from their perspective as well.  

We all expect that if we do something for someone, then we deserve to be treated the same way if not equal, then more so.  The problem with that formula is that it breeds disappointment.  If our friend doesn’t meet our expectations or that church leader or church structure, then we feel hurt and unimportant.  We feel discarded and so we start over again seeking out a new friend and a new church that will meet all of our expectations.  Like I said, I’ve been on both ends of this cycle and have learned that these expectations are one of the traps that the enemy, the Devil, loves to use to cause us as a people pain. 

In Luke 6:32-36 Jesus is speaking about this very subject.  In verse 35 he says, “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.  Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”

Jesus himself is letting us in on something that is key to stability in our lives.  Not only are we to love our enemies, but we are to lend to them without expectation.  Even though Jesus is speaking of our enemies, you could easily substitute the word “friend, church, church leader, neighbor, co-worker” anyone really.  Our enemy is so much harder to love, so start with the people who aren’t your enemy, because that’s super easy…right?  –I think you get the point.

When we lend to others without expecting to get anything back, what does that really mean? 

                -lending my “things”

                -lending my time

                -lending my money

                -lending my emotions (caring for others)

When we do these things, Jesus says that we will be rewarded greatly!  (Glance back at verse 35)  One of those rewards is freedom.  When we don’t place expectations on others to return what we’ve done for them, the enemy cannot bring disappointment and THAT is freedom!  Another reward is a spiritual reward, that we will be sons/daughters of the Most High.  Jesus is saying that when we do these things, we are displaying our spiritual family traits.  Our rewards go much further and they are given to us in this lifetime on earth and beyond into eternity. 

What other ways can we lend to others without expectation?  Let’s challenge ourselves to live a little bit more free this week.

I welcome all comments posted here or on my Facebook page Tasha Johnson, Author, Path of the Blessing

Pennies from Heaven

Art from Heidi-Malott

Wouldn't it be great if money really did rain down on us whenever there was a storm?  Frank Sinatra made this song famous based on this one idea. (Pennies from Heaven Lyrics) What Frank didn't know is that it’s TRUE!  

Malachi 3:10 … “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”  This blessing that is poured out from heaven can come in many forms depending on what you've brought into it. If you've given God your money, then you will be blessed financially.  If you've given God your time serving others, you’ll be blessed with more opportunities to serve at a higher level of influence. You see, Malachi 3:10 begins like this:  ^“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty. 

My husband, Troy and I serve as lay marriage counselors at our church.  A couple that we meet with was going through a huge financial burden to the point of eating once a day, if that.  After discovering this and the fact that they hadn't eaten yet that day (it was almost 8 pm), my husband took out all the cash we had with us and it was a $20 bill.  The husband’s eyes filled up and he and his wife told us that they had just asked Jesus for $20 on the way to the meeting.  They had been feeling like God didn't see their need and that he didn't hear their prayer.  Only Jesus could have set that up.  Earlier that day, I had been searching for lunch money for my girls, I had seen the $20, but decided not to send it with them and so I took the $3 out instead, leaving the $20.  That night that couple really did get money from heaven, and my husband and I got to be a part of it.

Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

Could you use blessings from heaven?  Whether you are going through the storms of life or days full of sunshine and happiness, God’s word stands true.  Jesus has blessings from heaven waiting for you; so much so that you won’t be able to contain it.  Ask Him, it’s really that simple.

If you want to know more how you can live a blessed life, then order my book, Path of the Blessing on Amazon.  Find the Compass that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob used to discover their most blessed path, and how you can utilize that same compass today!

Faith Walk

Myself, Jesse, and Dee

This is my friend Jesse.  He has Machado-Joseph Disease.  It’s a rare disease that takes away all muscle control.  Jesse is 28 years old and I've had the privilege of getting to know him the past year.  In this picture, Jesse is standing with the assistance of my friend Dee and myself.  The last few times we have met we've been taking Jesse on a faith walk out of his wheelchair and around his room in the nursing home.  The three of us are believing God for a miracle healing and for Jesse’s strength to return as a part of that healing.  Jesse is unable to walk.  This past year, Dee and I have been spending every Monday at 1:00 praying with Jesse, singing over him, reading the word, and assisting him with painting.  You could say that Dee and I are on a faith walk as well.

 

Just yesterday, Monday, after visiting with Jesse and Dee, I was deeply stirred in my spirit to seek the Lord on Jesse’s behalf.  This morning the Lord prompted me to read Mark 2:1-12.  It’s the story of four friends that were trying to get their friend, a paraplegic, to see Jesus for healing.  The house where Jesus was, was completely packed out, so they dug through the roof and lowered the man down to him.  Jesus then responded to these friends and the paraplegic after seeing their faith.  Jesus was moved by their faith towards healing, not just physical but spiritual as well. 

That is the sort of faith I want to surround others with.  A faith for healing that will move the heart of God. 

As Dee, Jesse, and I continue on this faith walk –as well as many others who are praying for him- would you consider coming along side someone you know who is on a faith walk themselves?  Let’s decide to position ourselves to move the heart of God and see healing take place.  Let’s join together in unity and risk believing for something extraordinary and impossible; something only Jesus can accomplish not only for ourselves, but for others.

Are you on a faith walk right now?  If so, and you need others to surround you in faith and have no one, then please leave your first name in the comments and I will be praying for you.  You can also reach me on Facebook here:  Tasha Johnson, Author "Path of the Blessing"

Loyalty

Our Wedding Cake from 1993

Does a Bride long for her wedding day, when she will at last be united with her groom to spend the rest of her days in his company?  Or does she wait out her engagement out of obligation and duty, despising the length of time she will have to spend with her groom once the vows have been taken?

Loyalty and obligation are two very different words, but it seems like we tend to get those two confused when it comes to commitment.  When you get down to the root of those words, you have loyal and obligate. 

Here is how the dictionary defines them:

loyal |ˈloiəl|

adjective

giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution

obligate

verb |ˈäbliˌgāt|

1 bind or compel (someone), esp. legally or morally

2 [ with obj. ] commit (assets) as security

adjective |ˈäbligit| [ attrib. ] Biology

restricted to a particular function or mode of life

I’ve highlighted the words to show how contrasting those words really are.  Loyalty is birthed out of love for another and obligation is birthed out of duty.

Luke 5:34 and John 3:29 speaks of how Jesus is the bridegroom and we as his followers are his bride.  Therefore since we are the bride awaiting our groom, then we need to ask ourselves, “Am I waiting in joyful expectation to be united with Christ to spend all eternity with him?” or “Am I following Christ out of a verbal commitment to gain a heavenly security while living a life of religious duty?”

As I read the book of Ruth I saw the love of the bride and the bridegroom demonstrated towards one another.  How broken our world is when we rarely see the love of God in marriage vows.  The vows that are meant to demonstrate loyalty (giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person) are so easily broken and discarded.  It’s no wonder that so many believers in Christ are experiencing a dead, religious type of relationship while committed or “engaged” to the bridegroom.  The earthly model of the love between the bride and the bridegroom has been shattered giving the impression of a hopeless and dull future bound by vows spoken to gain security.

This is not what God desires for us.  In the book of Ruth, Ruth has been living with her mother-in-law after the death of her husband and has been working daily in the fields of an older man who could redeem her from her current life by marrying her.  She then, in Ruth 3:9, seeks him out and quietly lays at his feet.  When he notices her, she asks him to “spread his garment over her” so as to symbolize marriage. He is so blessed by her kindness towards him, as he is much older than her and she could have chosen another man much younger than he. In the end, they do wed and Ruth goes from a worker in the fields to the owner of the fields, living an abundant life.

Ruth, the bride, chose to commit to her groom out of love, not obligation and her groom, although he was lawfully obligated to wed Ruth, gave the opportunity to another out of love for her, but in the end she was rejected and so her groom, her redeemer, wed her.

Loyalty is a commitment birthed from love.  Is that the kind of relationship you are experiencing with Jesus right now?  Do you look forward to reading your Bible, praying, and talking to God or is it an obligation?  If you find yourself following Jesus out of religious duty and obligation because you “prayed a prayer” of salvation once for the hope of security, then you are in relationship with the bridegroom for the wrong reasons.  No wonder your time of “engagement” is so dry and boring! 

Recommit yourself to Jesus out of love for Him and watch what he will do.  Just like Ruth, you will go from a life of struggling to a life abundant full of joy for the coming groom.