How To Be The Blessed Man

How to Be the “Blessed Man" in this

New Year...?

A Helpful and Concise Answer By Dr Terry W. Preslar Copyright (C) 2008. Terry W . Preslar All rights reserved.

“...when thou comest, bring with thee...the books, but especially the parchments. (2 Tim. 4:13) Psalms 107:2 S É S Romans 12:1-2 P.O. Box 388 Mineral Springs, N.C. 28108 1(704)843-3858 E-Mail: [email protected]

How to Be the “Blessed Man” in this New Year The approaching New Year marks a beginning in our lives. There are many such beginnings through our span of life. The way we respond to these new starts or react to these starting points is a matter of our Spiritual condition. There is a great difference between the “knee-jerk” reaction and a measured and proper response. “The Prayer of Jabez” is the example of one man’s response. (“And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 10And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” 1 Chron. 4:9-10). Those who “react” are like the mediocre subjects who receive only the commonplace return. There are many who can expect God to answer mightily because of a Spiritual response to the material need in the New Year. Wouldn’t you like to be the one who depends on a “Sure Thing.” (“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalms 1). The path of success is not easy to find and the subject of success is the criterion of judgement in most of our lives today as we look into the open portal of this New Year. In the verses above (1 Chron. 4:9-10), we find the “Prayer of Jabez.” This supplication was clear and unabashed. Jabez was a needy man, in need of a “Blessaing.” There was, to him, no other blesser than the Lord to whom he prayed. As God heard his prayer, it was answered in that passage, the need was supplied and we read of the exploits of Jabez in result of these answers. I have known of the lesson of Jabez for many years and my life is an adventure. I would not trade places with “Indiana Jones.” I live after style of the storybook tales. In Psalms One we find the discussion of the “blessed man.” I want to be that man in this coming year. To be the “Blessed Man” in the New Year, we find the instructions clear. Then the contrast is drawn – either you are “blessed” or you are numbered among the “ungodly.” I am aware that this seems a little harsh, but this is the precept of the Word of God. Are we going to be blessed or not?! It is required that the blessed be: #1) Separated from the world (Vs.1) – “...walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly...” the steps of a righteous man are of high concern for God, “...nor standeth in the way of sinners...” take not the position of the un-holy in thought or deed, “...nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful...” the mindset of a scorner is counter-productive for those like Jabez. We see that Jabez reaches out to the ordinary with help and takes little but seems to live an abundant lift. Then we look again to the “Blessed Man” who is: #2) Satisfied with the word (Vs.2) – He receives God’s Dictation “...his delight is in the law of the LORD...” he is teachable, then we see the Devotion of that “Blessed Man” “...in his law doth he meditate...” he is aware that his help cometh from above and now his Determination “...day and night...” For all who hope to be this “Blessed Man,” see his situation change: #3) He is Situated in His (God’s) Will “...by the rivers of water...” (Vs.3). This is no, mere, “name-it-and-claim-it” teaching. This approach -1-

offers a change of the situation consistent with the best relationship we have with our Redeemer God. (2 Cor. 5:17) For the “Blessed Man”, first, we notice his Prominence (“...like a tree...”). Here he is not like the Wicked – (“I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.” Psa. 37:35) this is a false prominence. The Faithful are sure (“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.” Psa. 52:8) and the Righteous are certain (“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” Psa. 92:12). After the pattern of the “Blessed Man” we now see his Permanence “...Planted...”, speaking of the rich fact of eternal life (“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psa. 126:5-6). Now we look to his Position “...planted by the rivers of water...” Many things in the believer’s case are positional. The believer’s Sanctification is positional, in Christ. (“...In Christ...new creature.”), Paul was “...separated unto the gospel of God” (Rom. 1:1) – in that day that is to come He will place the believer in a place where nourishment is abundant and the possibilities are beyond ample. (“Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. Ezek. 47:1-5). Yet in this day He offers blessings Royal, Rich and Real. We live underneath the spout where the Glory comes out. There was Glory in the Tabernacle in the wilderness, there was Glory in the bones of the Prophet that he could not withstand stopping his message, there was Glory to Baptize John’s disciples, there was Glory for Christ to feed the five thousand, there was Glory to transfigure Christ on the Mount, there was Glory on Calvary when He gave up the Ghost in death, there was Glory in the tomb to leave it empty, there was Glory on the day of Pentecost, there was Glory on the Damascus Road to save a Pharisee named Saul, and on we could go but there will be Glory for me when He comes to bless us in that day. (“Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” Luke 18:30) The state of the ministry of the “Blessed Man” is his Productivity “...his fruit in his season...” (“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:8) The standing of the “Blessed Man” is his Perpetuity “...his leaf also shall not wither...” (“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5) And last, but not least, our concerns turn to the Prosperity of the “Blessed Man” “...and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (“For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Heb 6:13-15). Will we be blessed in the New Year? Time will tell and history will record. But, if I never have another blessing and never experience another Spiritual adventure. If I have no more fruit and by breath to speak His Word be taken away I’ll wait until I see Him and rejoice forever in His presence. He has been better to me than I have been to Him. Along with young William Borden, if I live with no Reservations, and serve with no Retreats, then I can die with no Regrets. That would truly be the “Blessed Man.”

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Preaching

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Psalms 107:2 S É S Romans 12:1-2 E-Mail: [email protected]