Being Someone's Blessing

It's a famous declaration for us christians that we are born to bless God and those people around us. From those past years that we had lived our lives, did we serve us a blessing for some people?

We are ought to be givers, not merely takers. It may be hard but change should come our way. Disregard selfish thoughts and learn how to think about people. Living our life here in on earth requires give and take situation.

As I was praying to God what word He has for me today, I came to the point when I met a friend of mine outside the church. He was just sitting and it seems that he was expecting something that he doesn't know. It was time for me to go home but I spent additional time with my friend. Both of us started sharing every experiences we are having on a daily basis as a christian.

What's the best thing about our talk is that both of us serve as a blessing through those experiences that we shared.

Being a blessing is not just about giving something, and item, money, object, time etc. Far more than those material things are those encouraging words that we share and advice especially if it comes directly from God.

As you spend your day, do you have that goal of being a blessing for other people?
According to Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."


Quick Note:
I unexpectedly visited a website name "BlessingsFOrLife". It may seem very simple but if you truly have some stories that you believe could uplift other people, you may share it through that website.

Always Remember: BE SOMEONE'S BLESSING



By: Edwin Joseph

Get Over Yourself

“In humility consider others better than yourselves.”
Philippians 2:3 NIV

Columnist Rick Reilly gave this advice to rookie professional athletes: “Stop thumping your chest. The line blocked, the quarterback threw you a perfect spiral while getting his head knocked off, and the good receiver blew the double coverage. Get over yourself.”

The truth is, every touchdown in life is a team effort. Applaud your teammates. An elementary-age boy came home from the tryouts for the school play. “Mommy, Mommy,” he announced, “I got a part. I’ve been chosen to sit in the audience and cheer.” When you have a chance to clap and cheer, do you take it? If you do, your head is starting to fit your hat size.


From: Max Lucado

LIVING FOR CHRIST

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

God has given us life and surrounded us with immeasurable blessings of His creation. We live in a country in which we have the liberty and freedom to conduct our lives any way we please, as long as we abide by the laws that protect us. Ask yourself…“Is the motive of ALL I do directed toward being all God wants me to be? Is Christ my PRIORITY? Not one of many priorities, but THE PRIORITY of my life. Are my efforts, time, energy, purpose, plans, and the whole of my life subject to His authority and sovereign lordship?

When Christ is THE PRIORITY, our daily walk will be centered first on Christ. You might say, “I have a job that requires much of my time. I have responsibilities in my church I’m committed to. I have civic duties and social involvements I am engaged in. I have a family to care for and activities I share with them. Many things consume my time.”

There are two things you said that pinpoint your problem. Let’s look at them closely. First are the words “many things.” You must evaluate whether GOD wants you to be involved in ALL of “these things” that consume your life. All of these things may be perfectly right in themselves…BUT, not when they “take precedent” over what GOD wants you to do. Are they opportunities pursued by you to satisfy your ego, pride or your self interests? Are ALL these “things” HIS will for you to do?

Second, you mentioned that “many things consume MY TIME.” Whoa! Who said the time GOD has given you by His grace is YOUR time? Do you merit this time? Did you earn this time? Do you deserve this time? I’m afraid we all have to answer with an honest NO! Every moment we have, we need to realize that it is TIME ENTRUSTED TO US. Time in which we are to be stewards as to HOW we use it.

It is a “gift from God” and we will be held responsible for how we invest our life in the time HE gives us. Certainly not to fill it with non-essentials that sap our energy, undermine our relationships, or strap us into the “mold of this world.” Our problem lies when we subject ourselves to everything, everywhere, and then ask ourselves, ”Where is the Lord in all of this?” The answer is…right where YOU left Him!

It is imperative to evaluate HOW and WHAT we commit ourselves to. Every opportunity” is NOT God’s will for us to be involved in. We must know the mind of the Lord in these things. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL THESE THINGS shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

God is concerned with our “peripheral endeavors.” He wants us in the “center of His will” where all of the action is. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In ALL thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

HIS way is simple, yet profound. We make it difficult and confusing. Ask God for spiritual discernment for ALL of your endeavors so you will “have the mind of Christ.” Dare to trust Him and persevere with unwavering faith in our Almighty God!


From: Literature International Ministry - Ed Powell

A Gentle Answer

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
-Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

AS I waited for someone to pick up the telephone, I was tense and upset. As the consumer, I had a grievance and they were going to know it. "Hi, I was calling regarding the computer your husband sold me," I said tersely, wasting no time in pleasantries. "It won't boot up; it hasn't for the last month. Do you think he could come and fix it?" I wanted them to know I was serious and to not waste my time with excuses. But there were none.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," was the sympathetic answer on the other side. "How awful not to be able to use your computer for so long! As soon as my husband returns, I'll let him know what's going on."

I hung up feeling a bit foolish. Her gentle words had deflated my anger like a popped balloon. Then I realized, How many times when we have a legitimate grievance do we feel justified in being rude and short-tempered? Though all of us have to deal with our share of challenges and irritations, as Christians we can face them with grace and kindness and so represent Christ well.

I never met this woman or spoke with her again, but she taught me a lesson I will never forget. Her gentle answer was more effective in teaching me than the most eloquent sermon I've ever heard.


Prayer
Father, help us to mirror the character of your son, Jesus, not only in the good times but also when we are tired, frustrated, and upset. Amen.



From: UpperRoom Devotionals - Gabriella Perella Savarese

ONE

“We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NIV)


What difference can one make? In a world of over 6 billion people, what can one do? In Jesus’ three years of ministry on this earth, thousands followed Him. Thousands needed Him. Out of the thousands Jesus ministered to, one mattered …


the one waiting at the pool of Bethesda.
the one leper who was healed.
the one woman at the well.
the one whose son died.
the one who touched the hem of His garment.
the one whose demon was cast out.
the one whose sight was restored.


One matters. One can also make a difference. One has power.

One mattered to us as a ministry when we received a plea through our prayer line. She was about to take her life. She felt she had nothing to live for, no reason, and no hope. We heard her cry, the soul-reaching, heart-breaking cry of one.

At Proverbs 31 Ministries, the cry of one stops our “normal” work day noise and we gather together to pray. As we joined hands and prayed for the cry of this one, the room was filled with God’s presence and His love for this one. He answered our prayer for one and, with praise and thanksgiving, she cried out again:

“Lord, Jesus, I give you praise and humble thanks. I was in extreme distress. I screamed out in pain into cyberspace, overwhelmed and gripped in an attack. I was caught in a suicide space falling and planned to die. I was trapped and could not escape this. I was terrified and ashamed, caught in a deep undercurrent of self destructive feelings. There was no way out. The pressures were too much. Then I received an answer to my cries. Help, love and concern flooded into this dark space, people who cared and stayed with me, passing all kinds of lifelines, they prayed for me. Thank you Lord for these dear and true daughters of Yours.”

As daughters of Christ, His chosen ones, it is our delightful purpose to reflect Jesus, the One and only, to one at a time.

Sometimes it can be overwhelming to think of Jesus sending us into the world to preach the good news. But it doesn't have to be. When we reach out to just one person in Jesus' name, we change the world.

Did you know that you are one of 250,000 subscribers of Encouragement for Today devotion? Just think if every one receiving this devotion reached out in Jesus' name today to pray for a hurting soul, help a neighbor, bless a co-worker, encourage a child, mentor a friend, or come alongside a ministry and partner together to reach just one. What a difference we could make!

Dear Lord, In this world one seems insignificant but with You one is very powerful. It is my desire to be one who reflects and pleases You in everything I do, everyday of my life. Forgive me when I fall short. Help me see the world through the lenses of Your eyes and respond to what I see with the actions of Your hands and Your feet, with the words of Your mouth and the thoughts of Your mind. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



From: CrossWalk Devotionals - Encouragement For Today

The "Go" of Preparation

If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift — Matthew 5:23-24


It is easy for us to imagine that we will suddenly come to a point in our lives where we are fully prepared, but preparation is not suddenly accomplished. In fact, it is a process that must be steadily maintained. It is dangerous to become settled and complacent in our present level of experience. The Christian life requires preparation and more preparation.

The sense of sacrifice in the Christian life is readily appealing to a new Christian. From a human standpoint, the one thing that attracts us to Jesus Christ is our sense of the heroic, and a close examination of us by our Lord’s words suddenly puts this tide of enthusiasm to the test. ". . . go your way. First be reconciled to your brother. . . ." The "go" of preparation is to allow the Word of God to examine you closely. Your sense of heroic sacrifice is not good enough. The thing the Holy Spirit will detect in you is your nature that can never work in His service. And no one but God can detect that nature in you. Do you have anything to hide from God? If you do, then let God search you with His light. If there is sin in your life, don’t just admit it— confess it. Are you willing to obey your Lord and Master, whatever the humiliation to your right to yourself may be?

Never disregard a conviction that the Holy Spirit brings to you. If it is important enough for the Spirit of God to bring it to your mind, it is the very thing He is detecting in you. You were looking for some big thing to give up, while God is telling you of some tiny thing that must go. But behind that tiny thing lies the stronghold of obstinacy, and you say, "I will not give up my right to myself"— the very thing that God intends you to give up if you are to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.


From: RBC - Utmost For His Highest