What does God Bless You mean?

All Questions, Other Questions You always wanted to ask

What does it mean when someone says ‘God bless you’

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Other Questions, All Questions

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Nov 08, 2020

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If you have been in a Church, or if you sneezed in public – you would have heard this phrase ‘God Bless You.’

However, when the Bible uses this phrase what does it mean?

Like me, many of us Christians are guilty using the words without really knowing the real meaning.

A famous verse often quoted in churches is from the book of Numbers where the priestly tribe of Aaron was called to bless the Israelites saying to them;

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

24 “‘The Lord bless you

    and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face shine on you

    and be gracious to you;

26 the Lord turn his face toward you

    and give you peace.”’

A blessing is a way of asking for God’s divine favor to rest upon others.

The above blessing can be divided into five parts conveying a message of hope that God would do the following;

(1) “Bless” and “Protect” His people;

(2) Smile on them (be pleased with them);

(3) Be Gracious (merciful and compassionate) to them;

(4) Show them his Favor (giving them his approval); and

(5) Giving them Peace

When you ask God to bless others or yourself, you are asking Him to do these five things. The blessing you offer will not only support the one receiving it, but it will also demonstrate love, encouragement, and provide a model of caring for others.

The blessing you offer will not only support the one receiving it, but it will also demonstrate love, encouragement, and provide a model of caring for others.

SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

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Many people are deeply saddened by the news of the ravi zacharias scandal. But how should we deal with this?

Why did Jesus weep at the death of Lazarus?

John 11:35 (NKJV)
Jesus wept.

Why didn’t Jesus allow the demons to reveal who He was

All Questions, Other Questions You always wanted to ask

Why didn’t Jesus allow the demons to reveal who he was?

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Other Questions, All Questions

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Sep 23, 2020

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Mark 1:34 (NIV)

and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Every evangelist who reads this verse would be thinking of the impact that it would have had on the people watching if the demons themselves declared that Jesus as the Messiah.

But even thou this was in front of people and could have inspired so many people? Jesus still had an ulterior motive for not allowing the demons to speak.

(1) By commanding the demons to remain silent, Jesus displayed His authority and power over them.

(2) Jesus wanted the people to believe He was the Messiah because of what He said and did, not because of the ‘demons’ words

(3) Jesus wanted to reveal His identity as the Messiah, according to His timetable, not according to ‘Satan’s schedule.

(4) Satan wanted the people to follow Jesus around for what they could get out of Him, not because He was the Son of God who could truly set them free from ‘sin’s guilt and power.

Jesus Works on His own timetable and not according to Satan's Schedule

SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Why take Communion?

Receiving communion is a common practice at most churches. But why do we do it? Here are 4 reasons why we should take communion;

How do we deal with the Ravi Zacharias scandal?

Many people are deeply saddened by the news of the ravi zacharias scandal. But how should we deal with this?

Why did Jesus weep at the death of Lazarus?

John 11:35 (NKJV)
Jesus wept.

What does Amen mean?

All Questions, Other Questions You always wanted to ask

What does amen mean?

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Other Questions, All Questions

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Sep 20, 2020

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Christians end their prayers with the word Amen, however, sometimes it may seem as though some are saying it robotically as a format of prayer and not really knowing the meaning behind it.

So what does it mean when Christians end their prayers with the word Amen?
The word Amen is taken straight over from the Hebrew word without any translation.

Amen means ‘may it be so in accordance with Your will.’
In essence, we are telling God that whatever our requests may be, our prayer’s primary principle is for it to be in accordance with God’s will alone.

Furthermore, when we say Amen, we are actually using the words of the creator himself.

The word Amen is a word that is identical with Jesus Christ as seen in the book of Revelation where He is the Amen, the faithful, the true witness, and the ruler of God’s creation so by using the word Amen we are also praying in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Revelation 3:14 (NIV)

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him, the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

Amen means 'may it be so in accordance with Your will.'

SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

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Receiving communion is a common practice at most churches. But why do we do it? Here are 4 reasons why we should take communion;

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Many people are deeply saddened by the news of the ravi zacharias scandal. But how should we deal with this?

Why did Jesus weep at the death of Lazarus?

John 11:35 (NKJV)
Jesus wept.

How can false prophets be distinguished from true prophets

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How can false prophets be distinguished from true prophets?

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Other Questions, All Questions

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Aug 25, 2020

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Matthew 7:15 (ESV)

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves

The verse above introduces us to the existence of false prophets, and with the rise in many religious cults who claim to be prophets, it is important for us to discern if they are truly a prophet of God.

False Prophets were common in the Old Testament times. They prophesied only what the king and the people wanted to hear, claiming it was God’s message. False teachers are just as prevalent today as it was in the days of Jesus.

Jesus warns us to beware of those whose words sound religious but who are motivated by money, fame, or power.

The Bible exhorts believers to “test” those who claim to be prophets using the scriptures.

Some of the tests we can carry out is as follows:

Do they ever give false prophecies? Do 100 percent of their predictions of future events come true?

Deuteronomy 18:21-22 New International Version (NIV)
21 You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?”

22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.

Do they contact departed spirits and use mediums or witchcraft?

Deuteronomy 18:11 New International Version (NIV)
11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.

Do they follow false gods or idols?

Deuteronomy 13:1-3 New International Version (NIV)
1. If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Do they deny the deity of Jesus Christ?

Colossians 2:8-9 New International Version (NIV)
8. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.

9. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

Do they deny the humanity of Jesus Christ?

1 John 4:1-2 New International Version (NIV)
1. Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

Do their prophecies shift the focus of Jesus Christ?

Revelation 19:10 New International Version (NIV)
10. At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

Do they advocate abstaining from certain foods and the need for marriage for spiritual reasons?

1 Timothy 4:3 New International Version (NIV)
3. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

Do they promote immorality?

Jude 4 New International Version (NIV)
4. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

Do they encourage legalistic self-denial?

Colossians 2:16-23 New International Version (NIV)
16. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

20. Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22. These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Do their teachings minimize Christ and glorify themselves?

John 3:30 New International Version (NIV)
30. He must become greater; I must become less.”

A positive answer to any of the above questions is an indication that the prophet is not speaking for God.

God does not speak or encourage anything that is contrary to his character and commands as recorded in Scripture.

We must listen carefully and thoroughly examine the words of those who say they have messages from the Lord. Their messages may be coming from the Holy Spirit’s leading, or they may reflect their ideas, feelings, or wishes. New messages or revelations from God must be consistent with Scripture and agree with God’s previous messages recorded in the scriptures.

1 John 4:1-3 (NIV)

4. Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3. but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

God does not speak or encourage anything that is contrary to his character and commands as recorded in Scripture.

SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Why take Communion?

Receiving communion is a common practice at most churches. But why do we do it? Here are 4 reasons why we should take communion;

How do we deal with the Ravi Zacharias scandal?

Many people are deeply saddened by the news of the ravi zacharias scandal. But how should we deal with this?

Why did Jesus weep at the death of Lazarus?

John 11:35 (NKJV)
Jesus wept.

what is a cult

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What is a cult? How do you identify a cult?

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Other Questions, All Questions

Post Date

Aug 22, 2020

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The answer to this question will aim at two things.

(1) It will give all Christians a basis to discern from error. By laying out the essentials of the Christian belief.

(2) It will also provide a foundation for reasoning with any non-believers who may tag your denomination as a cult.

An important Bible verse for us to keep in mind is in 1 John 4:1 where the Bible instructs us not to believe every spirit but to test the spirits to see whether they are from God.

1 John 4:1 (NKJV)

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Q. What are the marks of a Cult?

To simplify, we will break this down into two levels; (1) theological and (2) Sociological.

On a theological level, a cult is identified by the rejection or the addition to any of the core Christian doctrines. Some examples include the following;

(1) They add certain revelations which contrast the originally written Bible.

Galatians 1:8 (NIV)

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!

(2) They portray a distorted view of Christ, denying the deity of Jesus and pervert the message of the gospel.

Jude 4 (NIV)

For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

(3) They disregard the essential beliefs of the faith such as; dismissal of the original sin, the Trinity, redefinition of Grace and representing new means of obtaining salvation other than the works of Jesus on the cross.

On a sociological level cultists are often brainwashed by an ultra-authoritative leader. These leaders create a sociological wedge between their followers and the world by promoting isolation. Cult leaders often dictate what their followers are to believe, speak, feel and even what they wear.

Luke 21:8 (NIV)

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.

In conclusion, some cults are easy to identify while others are more difficult to detect to the less discerning.

To recognize a cult, you must be theologically routed in your own Christian faith. Therefore, become a student of scripture and once you do that start comparing to what the beliefs say about the core Biblical teachings.

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.

Luke 21:8 (NIV)

SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Why take Communion?

Receiving communion is a common practice at most churches. But why do we do it? Here are 4 reasons why we should take communion;

How do we deal with the Ravi Zacharias scandal?

Many people are deeply saddened by the news of the ravi zacharias scandal. But how should we deal with this?

Why did Jesus weep at the death of Lazarus?

John 11:35 (NKJV)
Jesus wept.

Are people good by nature?

All Questions, Other Questions You always wanted to ask

Are people good by nature?

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Other Questions, All Questions

Post Date

May 2, 2021

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If you were to ask a group of people if they would consider themselves “good,” most would answer by comparing themselves to others.

When faced with guilt, our natural human tendency is to look at the world and say, “certainly, there is somebody worse than us.”

But the dilemma is God is not going to judge us based on how we stand or stack up to other’s morality, but we will be judged against the background of His eternal purity and Holy nature.

So are we good? Let’s see what the bible says:

Romans 3:10 – (NKJV)

As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one;

Isaiah 64:6 – (NKJV)

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

The word used for rags literally translated means menstrual rags (a type of disposable feminine hygiene product). We may think of our good deeds and righteous acts, but in reality, they are more like rags in front of a Holy and Righteous God.

When God looks down on our efforts/attempts to earn Heaven and be righteous, He sees us as wholly and utterly sinful.

So are we good? The answer depends on who you are comparing yourself to.

When we compare ourselves to the world, we may be better than some worse off people. However, when we look at God’s eternal righteousness, we realize how dark our sins are.

This is where the hope of the gospel shines because God showed us mercy and grace by sending His son to demonstrates His love for us, and now by trusting in Jesus and repenting of our sins, we can receive the gift of eternal life.

Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us..

God’s love is immense and eternal for all those who believe in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, we should take hope that when God looks at us, He sees the blood covering of His Son over our lives, and He then looks onto us as pure, spotless, and blameless children.