Blessings or Curses?

 Jennifer Lynn Joy © 2004

A few years ago, I heard the terminology: generational curses, at the time my immediate question was…..and what about the generational blessings, what happened to those, who received those?  With certainty I had received all the curses from my family heritage and few if any of the blessings.

The Holy Spirit has given me revelation about generational and genetic curses in our family since that time. HE has taught me some simple truths about curses and blessings, which is my heart to share with you now.

 1. Who gives blessings?

 “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich and HE adds no sorrow to it” (Proverbs 10:22).

 The LORD GOD gives blessings.

 2. Who reverses curses?

 “And it shall come to pass that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, So I will save you and you shall be a blessing” (Zechariah 8:13).

The LORD GOD can reverse a curse to a blessing.

On December 31, 2003, my friend and sister-in-the-LORD called to pray in the New Year. As we were praying she said that she kept hearing the number ten. So I made some suggestions: John 10:10 the Scripture for the 2004 Anointing Oil, the ten commandments, the ten spies sent to the seek out the land, the ten plagues. Each one had the same answer, “No, that is not it.”  Then she asked, “What happened to you when you were ten?”  “My grandfather died, my baby sister was born, I was baptized the year before, it was the first time I had bronchial pneumonia and … oh … that was the first time I remember being molested.”  “Bingo, that is the one!” she exclaimed. Prayerfully she asks the Holy Spirit to open the heavens and reveal HIS truth. The Holy Spirit gave her a picture of me in a straight jacket, bound very tightly, unable to breath. My mind sweeps through a panoramic view of the season.  A male relative that was visiting invited me to get in his sleeping bag to get warmed up….there are things that a ten-year old does not expect or know how to deal with. As my friend prayed, she asked if witchcraft could be involved. When I answered that I had learned in my adult life that his mother was a practicing witch a new light came upon the incident. The Holy Spirit revealed to her that often I had been accused or labeled insane and crazy – that the curse gave the appearance of insanity.  Immediately she saw the LORD come and with large pruning shears and sever the leather straps off  the “straight jacket curse.” And then I could breathe, as I have never been able to breathe fully into my diaphragm. “I can breathe, really breathe” with tears streaming down my cheeks. 2004 is going to be a year of open doors and so much more! We continued praying for a season. 

Later as I was pondering before the LORD the effects of the curse this is what HE brought to remembrance.  Bronchial  Pneumonia three to four times yearly for over 30 years. Swimming Lessons – always hurt my lungs to go under water because there was not enough air. Junior High Band – could not make a clear sound on the trumpet – 13^th chair for two years because there was not enough air. Church Choir – could not make a clear tone – asked to “pretend sing” because there was not enough air. Cross Country and Track – lost every race I ran in six years because there was not enough air. College Basketball – could never play the whole game because there was not enough air. Pregnancies - extremely difficult and deliveries even worse because there was not enough air. Family Reunions – many climbing, hiking, scaling mountains – I could not because there was not enough air. First Ministry Trip to Tennessee – the humid air was like a semi truck hitting me in the chest because there was not enough air.

When people ask me how long I plan to live, I proclaim “100, so that I can celebrate my grandson’s 50^th birthday!”  My Jubilee began in 2001 and I anticipate the overt favor of the LORD for the next 50 years of my life. To God be the GLORY! There is AIR TO BREATHE! Glory to KING JESUS! YES, HE IS THE AIR I BREATHE! HE IS!

“Keep on asking and it will be given to you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking reverently and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, the door will be opened. Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your FATHER who is in heaven, perfect as HE is give good and advantageous things to those who keep asking HIM!” (Matthew 7:7-11).

3. Who gives curses?

“And now, O Priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear and if you will not take it to heart to give glory to MY name, Says the LORD of hosts. I will send a curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already because you do not take it to heart” (Malachi 2:1-2).

The LORD GOD may send a curse.

In Genesis 12:3 God is speaking to Abram, “I will bless those that bless you and I will curse him who curses you and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

People can curse and bless. God can send a blessing for eternity.

4. How long may or will a curse last?

“And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD GOD, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth keeping mercy for thousands and giving iniquity and transgression and sin, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the 3^rd and 4^th generation” (Exodus 34:6-7).

A curse may last at least 4 generations.

5. Who receives blessings from GOD?

“Blessings are on the head of the righteous.” If you want to be blessed of the LORD walk in righteousness and we know that righteousness is through the Blood of the Lamb of JESUS CHRIST (Proverbs 10:6).

“Blessed are those who put their trust in HIM (The LORD GOD). When you truly desire and want HIS blessings you will trust HIM in all things (Psalm 2:12).

6.      Is it possible to receive an earthly blessing?

“The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked but HE blesses the home of the just” (Proverbs 3:33).

Yes, we may receive earthly blessings.

7.      Is it possible to receive a spiritual blessing?

“Blessed be the God and Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 3:3).

Yes, we may receive spiritual blessings.

8.      How do we get free from the curses in our lives?

 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in CHRIST JESUS, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13-14).

We do not have to be influenced or walk in the consequences of generational or genetic curses because of the accomplished work of JESUS CHRIST on the cross.  

9.      What did JESUS say to do about those that curse you?

 “But I say to you who hear; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28).

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).

As a Christian, it is imperative that we bless, love, forgive and pray for those who have cursed us. It is not about how we think or feel, it is obedience, it is a choice.  

10.   What does a generational or genetic curse look like?

       Let’s take a look at my family history, just two examples:

My grandmother’s brother died of leukemia, my dad’s dad died of lung cancer, my mom’s dad died of cancer, my sister died of ovarian cancer and my dad died of liver cancer. I believe one could term that a genetic curse. Praise the LORD for a reverse of the curse as my brother-in-law who was diagnosed with leukemia – it is as though he never had it and my niece has been supernaturally healed of cancer affecting the fluid in joints.

What is it about walking with a limp in my family? My grandfather walked with a limp, as a result of a broken hip. My sister and mom walk with limps, results from car wrecks. I have walked with a limp as a result of car wrecks. My son has walked with a limp from a leg broken in a soccer game. It is time to reverse the curses!

Take a moment and seek the Holy Spirit for open doors of revelation regarding generational and genetic curses in your families. Come before HIM with a repentant, forgiving heart. Take the full authority of the resurrection power of JESUS CHRIST and HIS blood and end the curses once and for all. Ask HIM to release the fullness of the earthly and spiritual blessings, which include healing and restoration in all realms to be poured over your life and the generations to follow you as a testimony to the glory and power of JESUS CHRIST!

Scripture References: Proverbs 10:22, Zechariah 8:13, Malachi 2:1-2, Proverbs 10:6, Genesis 12:3, Psalm 2:12, Galatians 3:13-14, Luke 6:27-28, Matthew 6:14-15, Proverbs 3:33, Exodus 34:6-7 and Matthew 7:7-11.

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		MARCH 2006 MY FATHER'S UNIVERSE! Sent to: Patricia White, Laurel, DE, USA ~ May 2006 Scriptures: Jeremiah 32:17, Daniel 6:7, Matthew 18:18-19, Genesis 1, Romans 8:22, Revelation 21, Revelation 22, Deuteronomy 4:39, Deuteronomy 10:14, I Samuel 2:10, Psalm 150, I Chronicles 29:11, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 69, Psalm 119, Psalm 85, Psalm 103, Psalm 135, Mark 13:7, Luke 11:2, Philippians 2:10, Colossians 1:16 and Revelation 14:6-7 Handmade by Jennifer Lynn Joy