The Power of Blessing

As a young black child living in inner-city Detroit, Ben Carson looked like an early failure just waiting to happen. His parents divorced when he was 8, and he reacted to the loss of his father by becoming angry and aggressive. He had a violent temper and frequently assaulted his peers at the slightest provocation. He lost interest in school and by the time he was in 4th grade, he was at the bottom of his class.

As a single parent with little education and no real employment skills, Ben's mother worked 2 and 3 jobs just to make ends meet. Often this meant she was away from home from 5 AM to 11 PM, and Ben would go days at a time without seeing her. Ben's clothing was from the Goodwill and his classmates teased him, which was a constant source of embarrassment.

Ben seemed to be on the fast track to becoming a school dropout and getting involved with substance abuse and/or gang membership. But Ben had a powerful advantage that many children in his position lack. Ben's mother believed in her son and had positive expectations for him. She limited his television time, made his outdoor play contingent upon completing homework first, and required him to read two library books each week and write a written book report.

Ben would have absolutely rebelled at this regimen, but his mother did one more all-important thing. She constantly encouraged him and praised his efforts, frequently reminding him that he could become anything he chose to work for. She was convinced he would go far. She displayed interest in the books he read, and scrutinized his written reports carefully.

Spurred on by his mother's approval, Ben began to love reading and the world of knowledge it opened to him. By the end of the 5th grade he was at the top of his class, amazing his teachers. He graduated with top honors from high school, attended Yale, then medical school, and became the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins at the young age of 33. In 1987 he gained international acclaim by being the first neurosurgeon to successfully separate 8-month-old twins joined at the head.

Ben Carson’s story is more than just a heartwarming tale. It is a striking example of the power of blessing in the life and destiny of a person. Ben’s mother continually planted positive words about him in his mind and heart. The power of her blessing opened the doors of a great destiny for him.

About now you may be thinking “I wish I had someone like that at my back. Someone who really believed in me and encouraged me.” I have good news for you. Father God totally believes in you and wants you to have a great destiny. Psalm 21 assures us, “You (Father God) have given him his heart's desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips, for you meet him with rich blessings. You make him most blessed forever. You make him glad with the joy of your presence.”

As you begin 2014, keep your mind and heart focused on Father God’s many blessings to you. Remember that He is totally for you and as the apostle Paul put it, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Please join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM. I'm beginning a new series entitled The Power of Blessing. This Sunday my message is entitled, “The 10 Decrees of Blessing, part I”. We will corporately begin to decree God’s promises over your life in this New Year.

Pastor Che