BLESSED TO BLESS OTHERS

“The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’ So Abram left, as the LORD had told him...” (Genesis 12:1-4 NIV).

My New Year prayer wishes to people in the lists of my Internet ministry was based on the promises that God gave Abraham when He called him to leave his native country to a land that He would show him. Let me also base my first message for the year on the promises. The promises are basically promises of blessings. God promised to make the name of Abraham great. This promise was fulfilled in the lives and nation of the people of Israel, the Jews. Even till today, these people and their nation are still great. God promised to bless Abraham. This blessing was in many ramifications. However, he would be blessed to be a blessing to other people. He would be a channel of God’s blessings to other people. In fact, another related promise is that all peoples on earth will be blessed through Abraham. Although, many people and nations were blessed through Abraham and his descendants, undoubtedly, this later promise was fulfilled through Jesus Christ who came as the Seed of Abraham (see Galatians 3:16). The life of Abraham was indeed a blessing to people that he came in contact with. He willingly took Lot with him when he was leaving his people, and Lot became a great man through Abraham. Even when Lot seemingly cheated him and paid dearly for it, he went out to rescue him from his captors. Abraham was a blessing to the king of Sodom when he refused to claim the plunder. He was such a blessing that he was a blessing to angels unknowingly through his unreserved hospitality (see Genesis 18; Hebrews 13:2).

The promises to Abraham seem to be unconditional, but it is evident that they would have not been fulfilled if Abraham decided to be indifferent to the initial command of God to leave his country and his relatives. His obedience to the call of God is pivotal to his blessing and being a blessing to other people.

Do want to be blessed this year? Be ready to obey God and be a blessing to other people. He will make you a channel of His blessings to other people if your make yourself available to Him. You will be blessed to bless to other people this year in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).