Don't Forfeit Your Inheritance (The Blessing of Abraham)

If you happened to read my blogpost The Bitter Pill - Part 7 of my Will You Be Made Whole series (released 7/27/2016), I talked a little about Esau and the birthright he gave up (referencing Hebrews 12:14-17) near the end of that post. I want to talk about this "birthright" a little bit more in depth. 

If you have a Bible, let's start with Galatians 3:13-14. It says that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Now I know many people are jumping, singing and shouting in church about the blessing of Abraham and they are going to get their inheritance. That's all well and good; however, I wonder if anyone is hurt or crushed of the mere fact that they haven't seen their manifestation of their inheritance at this very moment (or you feel that you let your inheritance pass you by). If this is you, you are the one I want to talk to today.

So, what is this thing called "inheritance" and how will I be talking about it in this post? I'm glad you asked, so let's go back to Genesis 25. Rebekah finds out that she's carrying two children in her womb and the first child (Esau) will serve the younger (Jacob). Well, one day Esau was coming from the field and was faint. He asked Jacob for some of his soup; however Jacob saw an opportune time to seek Esau's birthright in exchange for a bowl of soup. 

So, what does this birthright entail? 

1. Leadership in worship and headship in the family

2. A double portion of the inheritance

3. The title to the covenant blessing of Abraham that God promised Him

When I read that, I think, "wow, Esau is has to make a choice. A bowl of soup, or maintain those three items above." One would think he would cherish the birthright (since technically, it's the inheritance of the firstborn). Verse 32 of Cahpter 25 is interesting. Esau says behold, I am at the point of death, and what profit shall this birthright do to me? In other words, I can't think straight and this temporary moment of hunger is more important of a promise that will bless the remainder of my life and leave a powerful legacy. This birthright isn't important to me, (Bishop TD Jakes said it like this), it's worthless and I'm selling it for nothing.

Can I ask you a question right here? How many of you have thought of something or someone as worthless and you walk away from that very thing or person because it didn't bless you at that very moment? 

What Esau didn't realize was that birthright was very valuable and would bless him as time progressed. Can I encourage you to not forfeit your inheritance today? I believe that many of you reading this are staring at your inheritance and are thinking about walking away from it because it's not manifested yet. If you happened to let it pass you by, don't fret, repent and ask for forgiveness. God is so awesome, He is a restorer and will restore what you loss and those wasted years.

Let's continue with the story of Esau and this birthright. In the final verses (verses 33-34) of chapter 25, it says that Esau sold his birthright. And it says that despised his birthright. Wow, that tells me that Esau had a choice. Although he was not in his right mental state when Jacob asked for Esau's birthright, he should've stopped and thought about it. Sometimes we are faced with situations when we are in a vulnerable state. This is something we have to be very mindful of and the devil thrives in these situations. We must really seek God when faced with a situation that could alter the course of your life (for better or worse) even if you are faint like Esau or in a vulnerable state. Once a decision is made and it turns out to be for the worse, well, let's move to Genesis 27. 

This particular chapter focuses on Jacob & Rebekah plotting to get Isaac's blessing on their terms. After Jacob gets the blessing, Esau realizes that Jacob stole the blessing so in verse 34, he weeps bitterly. I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound good. Verse 36, Esau said that Jacob took away his birthright. I disagree, he sold it (even though it was under duress). Because his cry was bitter, he is now plotting to kill his brother. You could say that Esau just tasted the bitter pill. Of course, the punishment for Jacob seeking the blessing his way and not God's was that he would never see his mother again (because he had to flee from his brother).

As we are living in the last of the latter days, don't forfeit your inheritance. If you are on the verge of your inheritance, go get it! Don't let the devil talk you out of it, don't let him get you in a place of duress (mental, financial, spiritual, physical or emotional) where you stand a strong chance at forfeiting it. He loves to paint a picture that your blessing is to be gratifying at that very moment. God wants you to be patient and at peace as you wait for the inheritance He has for you. 

Now everybody say this: no devil in hell is going to cause me to forfeit my inheritance!

Blessings,

The Mayne Man

How We Tend To Miss Our Blessings

During my drive home from work this afternoon, I thought about how I am seeking to bless other drivers by letting them in my lane when a lane is ending and they have to merge onto my lane. Some will not consider my desire to be a blessing to them, and then they'll speed by and drive on the side of the road and then squeeze between other drivers. Of course, this creates accidents in some cases or it causes traffic jams. This made me think about this principle. There are some people in life that won't accept a blessing. When you seek to bless others, people will reject it. Now watch this, the same one who will reject you will seek to demand a blessing from others on their own terms. Esau wanted to demand a blessing from Isaac on his own terms, and he cried, "bless me, even me" (I hope that song didn't come from what Esau said). The message: people who are wrapped up in "self" will always want things their way, and then when true blessings come their way, they won't be able to because they either become callous to it, or they are not prepared to receive it.

The children of Israel got mad when they had to wander in the wilderness. As they believed the 10 spies who said they can't inherit the land, they would die. They had their blessing right in front of them, but they forfeited it. Now watch this, they tried to achieve it on their own terms, and they died as a result.

Another way we miss our blessing is because the devil does not want us to have it. So, he will come through obstacles or people. And as I think about it, the devil wants us in a position where we are not paying attention. 

So how can we not miss our blessing? Let me just give one way to you to consider. Get away from people who constantly tear down the very thing you're believing God for in your life. Another way of saying that is this: get away from those who want to glorify your problem causing you to nullify the very thing you're believing God for. Because if you don't they will talk you out of receiving your blessing and you will miss it. Now this isn't a bad thing and it doesn't mean you're cutting them off. The message is that not everyone is going to support your assignment or rejoice when you receive your blessing especially if your heart is close to God's heart. Again, it's not a bad thing, it's just where people are in their life. But seek to get with people who have your solution and will support your assignment and rejoice when you are blessed.

Blessings,

The Mayne Man