THE BLESSING THAT LASTS

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May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
Psalm 115:15 ESV

None of the manifold blessings we might wish for each other are complete without this one: as Jesus tells Nicodemus, we must be born again. Abram had to become Abraham. Sarai had to become Sarah. Jacob had to become Israel. By their names Israelites took their place in the bloodline of God's people. According to those names their offspring derived their identity . But the blessing is not to those born of the flesh, but of the Spirit. Many, like Ishmael, receive God's blessing for a season. Without being born again, though, good things go bad. Pride leads to boasting. Unintended consequences crop up. But upon those who abide in Christ, following His commandments, the blessing remains.

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