Looking ahead to Looking ahead to ‘40 days of blessing’‘40 days of blessing’

Preparing to walk a 40 day journey as a community

A natural step towards renewalA natural step towards renewal

Intentional

Focused

Renewal

the blessing equationthe blessing equationpart one:part one:

His blessing is written into every human heart

Finding a new and true perspective...Finding a new and true perspective...

We live in a city that tells us: “my life starts and ends with me.”But what if... 1.Everything started from God. 2.We had life because of Him. 3. Everything functioned

according to His law.

We would have to put ‘me’ second. Could that make you happier?

The essence of blessing is finding the right perspective: tuning into God’s perspective of love.

Q. What is God’s blessing?Q. What is God’s blessing?A. It is unconditional, potentially limitless, but not automatic. A. It is unconditional, potentially limitless, but not automatic.

God is a parent

An expression of God’s love for you

3 blessings that God gave mankind:

1. Be fruitful, 2. multiply, and 3. have dominion

Abraham’s blessing from God was based on his faithful attitude. (Genesis 14:22, Romans 4:18-24)

God designed you to be blessedGod designed you to be blessed

God wants to bless every detail of your life:

When you wake your children, when you help them with their clothes, when you pick up the phone, turn on the computer, get in the car, breath, sleep, run, walk, talk, and also when you get married:

Blessing is an attitude: a way of understanding and feeling what God’s love is.

““they that they that waitwait upon the LORD shall renew their upon the LORD shall renew their strength...they shall run, and be not weary” strength...they shall run, and be not weary” Isaiah 40, verse 31Isaiah 40, verse 31

In a big, busy, largely secular city we believe we have no time, we are over run, too many commitments.

The only way to solve this problem is by stopping:

Take time out from all the tangibles in order to be with God.

Grace is God’s blessing for a Grace is God’s blessing for a broken world:broken world:

Q. Why is God’s blessing so often hidden out of sight?

A. Satan’s long term strategy to put ‘me’ first.

God’s heart of forgiveness is for all:The Prodigal Son and the father who sees him coming home from a distance.

There are countless gracious acts performed daily by people all over the world.

greater maturity = greater blessinggreater maturity = greater blessing

Greater spiritual maturity results in greater trust from God.

Greater trust from God results in deeper love in your life.

Blessing is about a personal relationship.

The blessing equation

Saying ‘thank you’ to God: the first small step towards a personal relationship...

Let’s pray:

Thank you, Heavenly Father for your grace and blessing.

We want to express our thanks through our faith and our actions.

The blessing equation. Part 2The blessing equation. Part 2Behaviours that bring blessing

…go beyond being ‘blessed’ in name and move towards feeling blessed in your every day experience…

Being aware of giving blessing to others:Being aware of giving blessing to others:

When we: encourage, pray, give constructive

constructive feedback, forgive, bring new ideas, when we are patient, serve, smile, trust, understand, know :

...we bring God’s blessing to each other.

The Beatitudes: The Beatitudes: How to live in the kingdom of heaven.How to live in the kingdom of heaven.

1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

2. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

3 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

5. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

What is the greatest tool God gave you to What is the greatest tool God gave you to grow?grow?

Your conscience:

The finest instrument designed for the most subtle job – helping you figure out right from wrong, from moment to moment.

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and be not weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.‘Isaiah 40, verse 31:

“God has given you a conscience as your guide. ....It has complete knowledge of every action and step you take; it even knows your thoughts. Your conscience knows all these things about you before your teacher or pastor knows. It knows them before your parents know. It knows them even better than God.knows. “Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, June13, 2006,

How to share God’s blessingsHow to share God’s blessingsThe blessing equation: part 3

When I do what God shaped me to do, two things happen – I enjoy it, and I’m good at it. Never bury your dreams!

Your heart beat is unique.Your heart beat is unique.

Find out what God designed you for.

Passionate people get things done.

God has placed specific dreams and ambitions in your heart.

We were all made to shine

Unlock your heart from…Unlock your heart from…

Disappointment

Fear

Guilt

Bitterness

God blessed you to bless others.God blessed you to bless others.

Recognise that what you have is part of God’s bigger picture.

Make sure your passion is not misused.

Start to feel what God feels for your abilities.

Go from recognising to sharing your Go from recognising to sharing your blessings: blessings:

Write down:

all the things that God has blessed you with.

All the ways that you can share it with others

Put that sharing into action!

Seek significance

…rather than status.