February 16

Genesis 49:28 (NIV)
28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.

Have you noticed that this “blessing thing” is super important? In fact, what was said in the blessing happened in life! We all know that God’s blessing is an incredible and powerful edict, but do we really understand the power of our blessing? First I speak as a father and then I speak as a priest (who is also a King!).

What a staggering ability we have as fathers to bless our children! As I was reading today I couldn’t stop thinking that I don’t have to wait to bless my children until I am on my death bed. I can pronounce blessings on them that will be fulfilled in their future! Of course we cannot, as Jacob did not, speak on our own. We must speak what our Father is speaking because we are representing Him. However, I think we need to look freshly at this awesome ability and use it!

All of us who have given our lives to Christ are priests according to the Word of God. We have the power of blessing! We can speak things and have great effect on people. When we say, “God bless you” as a purposeful declaration, we have put a mighty and effective favor on that person. It doesn’t mean that everything will be hunky dory, but it invokes the hand of the Almighty towards that person. We can speak a specific blessing over people as well, but it must come from God since He is the one that will bring it to fruition. You have a blessing to give – start pronouncing blessing on people! Call peace on those who God has given peace, joy to those who need joy, healing on the sick, and whatever the Spirit puts in your minds!

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.