Oh My GOD!!

A must see for everyone, including non-Christians. Its not preachy.

Now what were you saying? Because after watching this, I had NOTHING to say.

LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him? – Psalms 144:3

Until the whole world hears

-SheepdogMJ

It’s Not About What You Know ……

its about who you know.

We have heard this statement in our lives at some point or another. Whether pertaining to finding a job, or to meeting someone special, or to getting some privileged item.  I want to focus on this simple yet powerful statement in relation to Christianity based upon Pastor Jack’s commentary this morning that went a little something like this:

God: What do you know?
Jack: uhhhhh ….. not a whole lot?
God: Well, then Who do you know?
Jack: uhhhhh ….. I know Jesus!
God: Alright, come in [heaven].

I wanted to take it one step further and ask what good does it do to know someone, when they don’t know you? We all know of people and know about them. I know the President of the United States, I know Miley Cyrus, I know Michael Jordan. But these are all “know ofs.” Will any of that translate into getting me into the White House to hang out, or on the next episode of Hannah Montana, or even a game with the greatest of all time? I think that’s a big a no. Knowing of these people doesn’t do me jack because they don’t know me. In the same way, our Christian life has to be the same.  Knowing of Jesus Christ isn’t the same as knowing Him. We need to know Him on a personal level and walk each day with Him.

Christianity isn’t a state of mind, feeling, society, church membership, or whatever else you can name. It doesn’t matter how you felt when you received Christ because there is no feeling, only knowing that God is alive in you and working in your life until He completes that work.  Going to a certain church over another doesn’t give you a VIP ride to heaven either. We as a people have grown accustomed to believing in merit based works and my way is better than someone else’s way. We need to remember that Christ through His love and grace forgives us of our sins and bridges us with the Father.
“By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” –Ephesians 2:8-9
I wonder, when Christ was born if He came out draped in fine wrapping paper and a bow, because isn’t He such an amazing gift from God above?

We forget so easily that though our Creator God is magnificent as He is, knows ours struggles, triumphs, sadness’, success’, on a daily basis and always invites us to walk and talk with Him. All that He asks is that we spend time in our days getting to know Him. Therefore I can repeat again, Christianity is a relationship. I have written before on this topic and believe you cannot truly know someone unless you spend time and put energy into the relationship.  The same principle applies here. It does you no good if you know about God, His nature, His stories from the Bible if you do not “know” Him.  You can stalk God all you want but if He doesn’t live in you and abound daily by your actions, how can you say you know Him. One example we can look at is the scribes and Pharisees.
‘“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.’ – Matthew 23:25-26

As religious leaders of the time, scribes and Pharisees were known to be people who meticulously knew the Word, were masters at keeping to the traditions of men, and for priding themselves in being able to keep the law. In front of men they appeared to be men of God, deep down though, God knew the heart. These were men looking for self-glory and to be praised in the streets for their self-righteousness. These jokers of men didn’t even recognize the Holy God incarnate when He was right in front of them. Friends, lets not become like these men who claimed to have known God and the scriptures, but rather lets become children that would recognize God by His nature when we hear His call. It does a person no good when you have all that knowledge but don’t know how to carry it out and live by it. Because they didn’t know Christ and have the power of the Holy Spirit working within, they could only know of God without ever having the ability to know and experience the God they knew of so much.

Lets be careful not to get trapped like them. Can we stop being “Sunday Christians” and those who believe citizenship in a certain nation or a strong family history of Christianity can be inherited? Can we stop believing that one prayer before we sleep or one envelope in the offering plate a week is going to cover the cost of our weekly skin? Can we stop reading one chapter a day and priding ourselves like we did our God a favor? Let’s stop kidding ourselves and live wholeheartedly for Christ. Anything less would not only be cheating ourselves, but falling short of living for His glory.

And how do we do this you might ask? How else, the same way you get to know anyone else. If you want to know God, you have to spend time with Him. I think we can all honestly say that we never do this enough.   We need to: pray more and play less, worship more and whine less, listen more and demand less, spend more time on our knees instead of in front of the TV, more time in the Book and less on Facebook. Or maybe that’s just me. We need to do these things that we might become like Him.
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. – John 10:14

He knows each and every one of us. And for those that are privileged enough to know Him, cant help but bow at His feet and praise Him for all of His glory. I love the fact that Christ came to pay our cost through the sacrifice of His blood in order to redeem us, and also that He also stands interceding on our behalf.  Therefore, I believe as believers, we not only need to stress knowing Him, but also knowing Him more and more each day.
In my head, I envision the day of judgment with God (Yĕhovah), sitting on His throne as the Judge while our defense lawyer Jesus (‘adown), showcasing a flawless legal record and never one to find a case He couldn’t win, constantly litigates on our behalf in order to throw out any sin in our lives that prevents us from receiving His Kingdom.  Mind you, this is a constant job that requires His service 24/7, 365 and then some. We are lucky that He doesn’t take breaks and that he works pro bono. Not even a bailout would be able to pay that off. May I say good luck sirs and ma’ams if you do not have Jesus defending you in this courtroom because your case will surely lose.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.”’ – John 14:6

“There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” – I Tim. 2:5

My prayer tonight, and every night hereafter, would be to that we will take time out of our day to listen to Him, to know Him, and to do the things in this life that He has planned for us. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. – John 10:27

And I’ll end with this, its not about what you know, or even who you know, its about who knows you. And I know Jesus knows me and has my name written in His Lambs Book of Life. Does Jesus know you?

‘“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’’ – Luke 13:24-27

Until the whole world hears,

-SheepDogMJ

PS: I want to thank all of my friends and readers for taking the time to visit my blog as well as offer suggestions and encouragement. I thank God for the opportunity to serve Him and others by what is written here and as always give Him all the glory for using me as a tool in order to further bless and encourage others in our race towards the prize. I’ve come to realize if you are willing to serve, God has plenty of areas in need.

Psalm 24

A Psalm of David.

1 The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.

3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah

This Little Light of Mine

Scripture Text: Luke 19:11-27

As most of my readers are aware by now, one thing I can’t stand is idle, spectator, Sunday Christianity.  When we chose to enter into a relationship with Christ, it meant that we were to become active soldiers who would take up the cross each day and live our lives according to the example that was set for us.  This includes shining brightly and spreading the Truth. Sadly, this is not the case for many so called “Christians.”

Imagine seeing a person about to get hit by a bus.  What would you do? Obviously, you would find some way of intervening in order to prevent the person from getting hit.  Now let us translate this to our Christian lives. If you were to encounter a non-Christian person, God has given you the responsibility to preach them the Gospel.  Whether directly through speech, prayer, or lifestyle, you are to make sure you shine your light on the person.  These people are leading a life that will lead to eternal condemnation, aka Hell, where they remain in a constant state of “getting hit by the bus” but never dying.  How come as Christians, we don’t want to or are too embarrassed or ashamed to carry out the values of Christianity. I’m not even sure how much longer this nation, built on Christian beliefs, will even allow us to have the freedom to do so. Now you may ask what if they do not wish to hear of the Gospel. Then you “shake off the very dust from your feet” (Luke 9:5) and move on as Jesus tells us but that does not spare you the responsibility of continually praying for them, especially if they are your neighbors, friends, and coworkers. 

We have ALL been entrusted with the duty of going out and making disciples of everyone, need I remind you of Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  When Jesus comes back, He will most definitely hold us responsible for the investment He has put into our lives.  Consider the Parable of the Minas in Luke 19.  Jesus praised both servants that gained by trading and rewarded them for being faithful in the little things and from the servant that withheld and hid his “mina,” judgment came down sharply.  This parable is to describe our lives and the things that He has blessed us within it.  When we are faithful and diligent with what He has let us borrowed to use in the matters of His heart, then ultimately He is faithful and just to reward those who invested in the Kingdom. We are not to take the Gospel and the gift of salvation and be happy holding it within, knowing that our own lives are saved. If this is the manner of your heart, I highly question if you know Christ at all. We are to proclaim His name from the mountaintops and to share the news with those we encounter. A day is coming, and by the looks of it, it appears to be coming soon when Christ will return in all of His glory.  This time, He wont come as a baby in a manger, He will come back to rescue His bride and unleash judgment on those who did not want to be reigned over.  Believe me, make good use of your investment, and await your treasure in heaven where there is no stock market to crash.

Finally I want to end by saying little children know a good thing when they see it.  They don’t care what others will think of them and just act like, well children do.  I remember singing this song in Sunday school.  And sadly as I have grown older, I’m not sure how bright my light has become.  How about yours? Are you like a single tea light candle or like the lighthouse on the shore? More importantly, do you take your light and hide it under a bushel or do you let it shine so brightly and boldly that people can see Christ by your actions alone. I pray that it’s the later in both cases.

By His Grace

-SheepdogMJ

My Desire

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of thosewhose heart is loyal to Him. – 2 Chronicles 16:9

WOW! Thats powerful stuff. How awesome would that be?

Idling Christianity is Dying Christianity

While I was driving today, I realized how my trip from point A to point B was similar to the life of a believer.  Christianity is a racing excursion similar to a cross-country rally car challenge rather than a high speed Nascar race circling but getting nowhere or to that of a golf cart putting around the course at a leisurely pace.   For us Christians, we were all at a starting point somewhere, driving around aimlessly not knowing what we were doing.  But at the moment we received Christ and started to dive into the Word (aka road map), we discovered our destination. We stopped driving for ourselves and we let Him take the wheel and direct our lives. As for myself, that was the moment I started truly living. 

I’ve come across some people that believe that attending church isn’t a necessity in order to be a Christian. I believe, and my opinion means nothing, if you are able and willing, I don’t know why you would not reserve the Sabbath day in order to worship Him. It is a day of rest that was solely created for one purpose. People around the world risk their lives to worship and here in America, we would much rather enjoy a day of sleeping in and watching football. Rather pathetic in my opinion. We have become too comfortable in our settings and sooner or later, the door we have already unlocked will swing wide open and be impossible to close again. Apathy is a dangerous state to be in. In the world that we live in, attending Church services are becoming more and more important in order to get filled up [with the Holy Spirit] similar to a car at a gas station. Sooner or later, your own strength will run out and you will be left stranded with nothing to energize the spirit within. 

Similarly, the laws of the roads are like the teachings in the Bible.  Many people view we Christianity as a religion of rules and regulations that bind and limit us in what we do.  We as Christians know it as quite the opposite, a freeing and liberating relationship that separates us from the sins of the world.  As the rules of the road are out there to protect us, the Bible also teaches us how to protect ourselves from the ways of the world that lead to nothing but death. 

But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:22-23

What would happen if people could just do as they pleased on the road: run red lights, speed excessively, drink and drive, etc. Chaos would most certainly ensure. It is no wonder the world is in the state that it is in when many are Christians by name, but few are Christians by actions.  We Christians need to remember that “man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD” – Deuteronomy 8:3.  You can’t choose to follow verses that are convenient to you, and reject others that are too “challenging” or ones that you “feel” are against your beliefs.  It’s an all or nothing deal. Don’t minimize the importance of diving into scriptures. 

And as a car that idles in one place doesn’t reach its destination, likewise an idle Christian will never truly understand what it will be like to enter into a growing relationship with the Lord.  It has been too long that Christians have sat back with the mentality that if I am not sinning or the one caught in sin, that I am not doing anything wrong. I believe that the devil will try to use that justification in order to prevent many from utilizing the gifts and talents they were blessed with.  Just because you are not the one caught in sin does not spare you responsibility.  One day you and I will both stand before our Lord to be judged. He has blessed us with many talents, and not utilizing them to its fullest potential for His glory is a sin.  He will not judge us on what we did, but also on what we didn’t do. 

You can think of yourself as the best Christian you think you can be by going to early service every Sunday, bible study in the middle of the week, tithing responsibly, reading the Word, and living your live to the best ability as Christ lived His. Let me ask you, didn’t the Pharisees do all these things and were they not the ones that Jesus blasted the most? But if you are only working on making yourself better and not speaking up or acting up when you should be, that is a cause for concern.  The Christ within us should compel us to be people that act. We are not people that should be satisfied with our own salvation.  We should actively be trying to save others or discipling the ones around us. If your friend is caught in sin, rescue them and point them in the right direction.  And just because the world is crumbling all around us and continues to get worse with each passing day, that does not prevent us for sticking up for what is right.  Whether in voting practices, demonstrations, use of our time, it should always be used to defend His truth as well as to reach out to others. We need to stick up for those that cant speak up for themselves. We need talk about the president less and pray for him more. Our culture teaches us to mind our own business and mingle in affairs that only deal with us. We cannot do that.  We have to deal with affairs and matters that deal with God no matter how uncomfortable it may make us feel.  

 Open your mouth for the speechless, 

      In the cause of all who are appointed to die.

      Open your mouth, judge righteously, 

      And plead the cause of the poor and needy. – Proverbs 31:8-9

Idling Christianity is not Christianity.  Idling Christianity is dying Christianity.  The race that we are on is long and challenging hill filled with many potholes set out to deter us.  The ways of the world are much easier.  A car on this hill will always follow the laws of gravity. It takes energy for that car to travel upwards. The Christian life is a hard battle in which we are enlisted soldiers that requires sacrifice.  If you leave your faith idling, eventually it will run out of gas and momentum and slip backwards.  I challenge you to be reckless with your faith.  Not in a manner that will compromise the Gospel but in a manner that you are doing whatever it takes to make sure the message is delivered to people that you know. In a manner that says I will not be silent anymore. In a manner that will let you be the salt and light in this dark world. It doesn’t always start with the big things. Start being faithful in the little things and He will surely bless you with the bigger things. Remember we ought to always be in our Father’s business and for our hearts to break for what breaks His. 

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ – Matthew 25:21

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:13-16

And I will leave with one final thought.  We are told by the world that the nail that sticks up gets pounded down.  If you are a Christian reading this, I encourage you to be that nail that sticks out. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what is right. I encourage you to stand up even if no one else is willing to around you. Be that man or woman that God will use to stir hearts around you. Your faithfulness may be blessed with starting a revival, which we so desparately need. It may cost you your friends, families, jobs, or whatever else it may be, but don’t restrict yourself because of these losses.  Just imagine how much more the Father will reward you when you lose more. 

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. – Phillipians 3:8-11

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

By His Grace

-SheepdogMJ

Watchmen Alert

For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish;
       it will be utterly ruined. – Isaiah 60:12

We as Christians are called upon to be Watchmen.  Never holding our peace or keeping silent for the name of Jesus.  This is a critical time in our nation, a time that is in need of Jesus more than ever. As Christians we must take this opportunity and ought to be praying more than ever for our country and those who inhabit its borders. At this time, please join me as I continually pray for our new president, our military, and for the unborn.   

I ask that we will pray for President Obama and those elected to positions of office that they will hear the Lord speaking and will act accordingly. I am not convinced that Obama knows what it means to have a relationship with the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.  It seems as though he has some skewed view of Christianity and I pray continually that he will know what it’s like to know the only true and living God.  Pray also for his wife and two daughters that they will be kept safe and that they will come to know Him as well. 

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. – 1 Timothy 2:1-4

I ask that we will continue to pray for our military: that we will continue to remember each of the individual soldiers and their families for the sacrifices they continue to make. I pray that our leaders will hear our Lord almighty and act according to His will.  I pray that we will not be like the tribes of Israel initially as in Judges 20, but rather as they did so eventually, become a people that fast and pray to seek His face and ask for His guidance in matters such as war.  Pray also for their safety and victories in battle.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. – Psalms 131:7-8

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. – John 15:13

We should also pray for the enemies. Pray that God will break the bonds of spiritual deceit and evil they are caught in by the only true enemy we have in order that they may be free. For the continual revival among Muslims to receive the grace and mercy that only Jesus Christ provides.

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, – Matthew 5:44

No matter if you voted for, Obama or not, I think as Christians we must unite in our stand on abortion.  God is the giver and cherisher of life. The Bible time and time again refers to life beginning at conception. Continue to pray for those that are thinking about getting an abortion or have already done so to receive the healing and guidance that our God provides. It is funny to me that at a time of our struggling economy, that tax payers money would be used to fund abortions in other countries. Take a stand Christian. Our tax dollars are being used to murder the innocent. We will not be held accountable for the sins of our nation, unless we sit back and do nothing.  Our voices need to be heard.  Many will try to silence us, our efforts may all be for nothing, but that does not stop us for standing up for righteousness.  God knows the desires of our hearts and the effort we put to stand up and defend truth.  If you don’t take the stand, then who will?

Open your mouth for the speechless,
     

In the cause of all who are appointed to die – Proverbs 31:8

MOST IMPORTANTLY.

Please sign the petition on the website below to stop tax funded abortions. 

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL09A01

If you want more information on how to pray for our military, I have 31 ways to pray for our military, obviously corresponding to each day of the month.  Also if you want more information on a women’s care clinic, please visit www.awomenscarecenter.org.

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14

 By His Grace

-SheepdogMJ

Remembering First to Pray

Can we wake up each morning and with our first thoughts, thank the Lord for watching over us throughout the night and for giving us another day to live for Him? 

By His Grace

-SheepdogMJ

Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, 
      Because His compassions fail not. 
       They are new every morning; 
      Great is Your faithfulness.

-Lamentations 3:22-23

What it Means to Represent Christ

As Christians, we are held to an entirely different set of standards, those that are defined in the bible.  We are not to be of this world and we are not to be caught up in the affairs of it. A friend told me the other day, she expected more from an individual because they went to church.  She then tells me that she expected even more from me because I go to church twice a week.  At first I didn’t know how to respond because I had never heard someone actually say that to me.  I had always known but I had never heard it directed at me from an unbelievers point of view. We are supposed to be held to a different set of standards, to a much more higher set of morals. Unfortunately, I don’t see that. I believe that the dominant lukewarm Christians of today have the most damning effects on Christianity.  

We need to remember that we are constantly being watched.  Christianity isn’t something that we turn on and off when no one is around.  It’s a lifestyle.  People will watch us and analyze how we act, what we say and do, how we react to situations.  You may not think of it, but you may be the only Christian someone knows and their interaction with you is the only version of the gospel they may hear.  Therefore, we need to be careful how we represent Christ.

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him. – Luke 12:1-4

In this passage, Jesus reminds us that we need to be careful of our actions.  If by something we do, we happen to deter another person from being saved; it would be better for us to be put to death.  People watch us and want to know what we are about. Others may watch us and want to see us fail. We need to remember that we belong to a dark world and if we are not shining, no one will. 

I will even be bold enough to say I believe that if you don’t have the Word living in you and discipling you, how can you say you are truly saved.  I say this not to deter others away, but to make those aware.  I was once lost and comfortable in my Christianity. Let me just say how glad I am that Christ did not return at that time. A life with Christ is a changed life. The sins that you used to consume you are no longer the desires of your heart. I’m not saying you wont continue to do them or even have the thought cross your mind. The devil is smart, the more you grow in His word, the more He will try to tempt you.  However the easier denying yourself occurs everyday, the easier overcoming the temptations of the devil become. One day when the world passes and we look around in heaven; we will be surprised to see many people whom we wouldn’t think would be there.  Sadly on the contrary, I think we will also not see many people whom we thought would be there. 

A mark of a true believer is one where Christ is the centerpiece of their life.  When you take up the cross, you don’t take it up for 23 hours of your day, or on certain days of the week, you do it in every decision, every action, and with every breath that you take. You don’t leave Him at home when you go to parties or hang out with your friends. He is with you all the time. Sound excessive? Who am I to say? But that is how scriptures tell us it is.  Sadly, I know that many times I myself fail to live up to this standard.  Only by actively praying, reading, and walking each day with the Lord can we step up to the challenge of even being able to come close to accomplishing it.  Remember that others are watching. Be aware of how you represent Christ.  

By His Grace

-SheepdogMJ

Why I Support Israel’s Fight Against Terrorism

Not only because the Israelites are God’s chosen people, but also because:

“I will make you a great nation;
      I will bless you 
      And make your name great; 
      And you shall be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,
      And I will curse him who curses you; 
      And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 

-Genesis 12:2-3