Blessing vs. Curse

            The first eleven chapters of the Bible contain very little good news.  It seems mankind just staggers from on curse right into another.  Figuratively from the frying pan into the fire repeatedly the human race hopped.  The fatal sin of Adam and Eve was catastrophic to them personally to us also, and to the entire planet.  First God cursed the serpent for his involvement in the deception, making him subject to the seed of the woman.

So the Lord God said to the serpent:  "because you have done this, you are more cursed than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.  And I will put enmity between you and the woman , and between your seed and her Seed;  he shall bruise you head, and you shall bruise his heel."  Gen 3:14-15

Satan is to be dominated by man this is his judgment for his rebellion and deception it is as sure as the curse that was placed upon man, the earth, and women.  God considers him to be the lowest form of creature that slides around on his underbelly in the dusty earth and man is to despise him.  The serpent in fact is cursed and made lower than any other beast upon the entire earth.  As a result of this curse the woman and the serpent share a hatred for each other. 

            The curse to satan is a promise to man.  The Seed of the woman will bruise the head of the serpent and the seed of the serpent will bruise the seeds heel.  Few have ever died from a bruised heel but a bruised head is fatal.  I like the odds we have been given in this fight. 

            Eve received this word:

To the woman He said:  "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband. And he shall rule over you.  Genesis 3:16

Because I am a male in this species I have never experienced the horrors of child birth or the monthly cycles that accompanies it.  I do, however, know that this curse is real.  Enough said I am trembling in fear as I write this because this is a very serious subject to women. 

Adam also received a curse for his participation. 

BLESSING AND CURSES

            The world and its systems are a satanic perversion of God's creation.  The ecosystems, planting and reaping cycles, and virtually everything  in the world has been tainted by the curse that was placed upon Lucifer and his followers.  When Adam and Eve submitted their authority to the subtle beast, the whole of creation was place under the curse and is frustrated by it.

 For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God.

For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope

that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Rom 8:19-22

  Even the ground itself would now produce thistles and thorns, if not cultivated by the maan who si cursed to work it by the sweat of his brow.  The very creation that was good and was to bring glory to God has been subjected to the frustration of the curse of sin and death. 

            Planet earth is under the control of an occupying force of darkness working and deceiving mankind to remain under their insidious power.  That has been the reality man has existed in since the fall of Adam.

            Now, on the contrary, Christ has abolished the law of sin and death, changing the reality that can be lived in.  Just as the word went forth and became light the ruling force both over the day and night.  The sun was to rule over the day and moon was to rule over the night.  The Word of God has come and revealed truth to us like a light shining out of darkness revealing the blessing that God has intended for mankind, and that blessing stronger than the curse before it.  So total is this revelation that there is no day or night in Heaven.

            The curse has its origin in the ground or in nature.  Remember the ground would produce thorns, the serpent would eat the dust, and mankind would return to the dust they were formed from.  The curse is always connected to the world.  The curse is the bridge between the kingdom of darkness and the earth and its elements.

One can clearly see the curse has its origins in the earth and climbs like a murderous vine.  It begins small at the feet of man and grows up with the man eventually overtaking his mind making him more depraved in the end than in the beginning.  Consider the parable of the soils.

 Hear then ye the parable of the sower.

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side.

And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it;

 yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth.

 And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

 And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew 13:13-23

The world and ist's systems are cursed and cannot bless.  That is why so often you see those who become super rich through deceit and manipulation struggle with depression.  The United States has been plagued with chronic depression and I am sure it is connected to the worldy worries and lusts.

Notice the portion of the parable devoted to the thorny soil.  The seed that falls among the thorns.  The tree and the thorns will grow together.  The curse remains through the deceitfulness of riches and cares of the world.  Mark also adds the lust for other things

And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word,

and the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mark 4:18-19 ASV

When the seed falls among thorns they grow together until eventually the cares of the world overtake the fruitfulness.  Worldliness is an enemy of faith and must be nailed to the cross.  The curse has been broken when Jesus wore the crown of thorns upon the cross.  This is why Jesus could with a clear conscience instruct us to:

Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment?  (Mat 6:25)

Don't let the desires, concerns, and ravings of the world choke the life out of you.

The blessing on the other hand has its origins in heaven and flows down.

A Song of David decrees.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  Psalms 133:1

            The curse is temporary, while the blessing is eternal.  The curse does not have power to live but only to kill, while the blessing comes to give life and life more abundantly, a life that remains forever(John 10:10).  The curse comes from man's choices and actions while the blessing is released because of God's faithfulness(2 Timothy 2:13).  Heaven's laws are higher than hell's or even natures.  Father God is superior to mother nature for mother nature came from the Father.

REALITY CHECK

In today's world we are in dire need of a reality check.  We need to ask ourselves what reality is in fact and what is temporary?  What will endure and what will fade?  Instead Christians simply continue living as if the Word of God does not come from a heavenly source.  Theologians pretend that it is inaccurate and outdated while making  plans and  formulating doctrines that continue building lives and churches without consideration for the blueprint that was dawn in heaven. 

            The carnal seem to be living by a number of carnal ideologies that are expressed in a bushel of cleverly crafted common sense platitudes.  Like Esau, they have sold their God-given birthright for the red soup of a carnal system with its roots burrowing deep into the thorny soils of hell.  This generation has become perverse and unbelieving.

            A perverse and unbelieving spirit is seldom disgusting on the surface because It masquerades as commonsense in order to pull people from truth to satisfy the carnal cravings of a sensual being.  A perverse generation is usually only slightly perverted or deviated from the true standard.  This is exactly why so many quickly embrace the cunning ideologies of this world.   The devious monster of religion is then unleashed and begins to feast on its helpless victims smashing lives like a wrecking ball swinging wildly out of control.  This mindset opens the door for unbelief and then the twisters enter contorting and bending the words of light to fit with the ideologies of culture and the societies of darkness.

            God's word is the witness of His rule.  It is the creative force of the living God.  It is His law and the laws heaven lives by.  The words that God speaks are more authoritative and powerful than any other word ever spoken.  His word supercedes both supernatural forces and natural forces.  If God says it, it is truth even if the laws of nature deem it impossible.

Certainly not!  Indeed, let God be true and every man a liar.  As it is written:  that you may be justified in you words and may overcome when you are judged.  Romans 3:4 NKJV

            When the Father said let there be light, everything that was not light made way for that which was light.  Earth's laws of darkness were overpowered by the expression of God's rule of light.  Likewise, the chaos of Genesis 1: was overcome by God's orders, edicts, and commands.  Therefore, when God speaks to us through any mode such as the bible, prophecy, a sign, an inner voice, or even an audible voice that word supersedes any law that might be in place.  When God sent the Word, or Christ, it superseded the law of sin and death.  Mercy indeed triumphed over judgment and God sent His word and healed us.  Therefore, salvation is a greater reality than condemnation, healing is more of a reality than sickness, life more than death.

            God's word is unconditionally true.  It is true that some or even most of His promises are conditional yet the promise is unconditionally true.  No matter what the situation looks like, the reality of Heaven is eternal while this world is temporary.  Sickness is temporal while healing is eternal.  Poverty is temporary while wealth is everlasting in heaven.   The things of this world are all passing away and the things of God's word will never pass.

Heavens Location

Heaven has been referred to as the sweet by and by that exists for those who have already passed through the gates of death.  It is a promise for all who heed to the invitation to come to Jesus.  A land someday you will receive as a reward for both living and dying right.  This teaching is absolutely true there is a place for those who are now dead in Christ and the place is undoubtedly called heaven.  Through the gates of death is a new body that is immortal and glorious awaits any who believe on the Lord Jesus. 

            However, the misconception of Heaven being like a glorified earth is an underestimation of the reality of heaven for us today.  Heaven is not in a far away galaxy beyond the stars but is among us, in us, and around us.  Jesus told His disciples that the Kingdom of Heaven was within them.  Even the glorious throne of God or the Holy of Holies is not far from us in fact it is not so much a location as it is a realm.

Blessed be the God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.  Ephesians 1:3 NKJV

            In the original texts the word places does not appear it only says in heaven.  Heaven is made in realms or dimensions with the throne being in the highest place.  These realms or dimensions are invisible to the carnal eye.  In fact,  we have heard it called the spirit world or the supernatural. 

            It is in this dimension or realm that Christ sits upon His throne and all places are filled with His lordship, His rule, and His presence.  This realm is home to God and the holy angels, and it is where reality is both formed and governed.  What exists in heaven is a greater reality than that of earth because it is eternal, while what exists on earth is natural and temporary. 

WE ARE BLESSED

Blessed be the God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.  Ephesians 1:3 NKJV

Many will protest at the reading of this verse that it sounds too good to be true.  They protest that they don't feel as if they are blessed and certainly not with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. 

            Others would argue that this verse is talking about when we die we will blessed with every spiritual blessing.  That is, the blessing is coming when Jesus returns to this earth. 

            However, the wording of this passage implies that we have already been blessed.  The use of the word has and blessed implies past tense meaning that we are presently blessed because it was already given us.  We already have the rich privileges of sonship and every spiritual blessing in heaven. 

            One may say I will believe it when I see it but this is a carnal mindset that will never see because God requires faith to release the blessings. 

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Hebrews 11:6 KJV

You have already been given every blessing in Christ Jesus, you will be rewarded

If you seek Him.

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20 KJV

The only limitation to the blessing is has God promised it?  If God has promised the answer is yes in Christ Jesus and the amen must be spoken by us.  Prayer then is not so much a pleading for God to hear us, but more of a declaration of God's already yes answer to the request of a promise.  He has promised many things in His word and it is His will to provide what He has promised.  So when the amen is spoken or, so be it, the creative power of the Word of God is released invoking blessing over an otherwise cursed situation.  At that point impossibility becomes the reality of possibility and even probability, while the curse is overwhelmed by the blessing that is in Christ. 

UP TO YOU

            Heaven is filled with blessings and the world is filled with curses.  Seek the world and the blessings of heaven flee.   On the other hand seek the kingdom of heaven so it can be received as well as all the things needed in this world.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33

It really is up to us which dimension we live in.  Will we seek the world or will we seek heaven?  Whether we exist like God or will we live like a mere man.

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 1 Corinthians 3:3

In the carnal world life is led by five senses.  Carnal people pursue what they see, touch, smell, hear, and taste.  In heaven another reality is pursued.  The Heavenly minded pursue God.  For He can be seen as He is the Light of the world, he can be touched by the feeling of our infirmities, he can be smelled because He is the Rose of Sharon, he can be heard because He is the Word of God, He can be tasted because he is the Bread of Life. 

            So if Heaven becomes one's desire then one find himself praying after the manner which Jesus taught His disciples to pray. 

The heavenly minded are not praying to be heard by men or even devils.  Strength does not come from the number of words used or the amount of time spent praying, but rather to whom the prayers are offered and His position to answer.  When God is called on, one should understand first of all that he is talking to the Father.  Children of God are not asking a stranger who has no feeling for them but rather they are asking of their own Father.  Only the Spirit can give this spirit of adoption. 

When we call on God we are approaching Him as one we have relationship with.  If we have been born of Him, we are His children and that is revealed by the Spirit of God.

            We also must recognize that our Father is in Heaven high above all our problems, high above all our enemies.  He has a completely different point of view because he is all powerful, all knowing, and ever present.  He loves us as a Father and our daddy rules the universe.  Praise God!

            When we pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done we are asking for it to be here as it is in heaven.   So God's will is for what He has in Heaven to become a reality upon the earth.  Strange isn't it?  We spend our ministries and efforts to get people to heaven when Jesus instructed us to get heaven to people.  He wants us to have heaven's will on earth. 

            Unbelief says it can never be, yet Jesus prayed for the kingdom to come.  He prayed for heaven's will to be done.  Could it be that we have failed to see the reality of what God wants from his church?  After all, we are to be proclaiming the gospel of this kingdom to all the nations of the earth.