Paul Banta's Global Soccer Ministries - International Devotional - January 1, 2010
BE A BLESSING GIVER WITH YOUR TALENTS
Scripture: Genesis 12:2 says, "I will bless you ... and you will be a blessing."
... From first hand knowledge I can tell you that it's much better in the world we live in to give than to constantly be taking in as the receiver. Being a constant receiver changes our lives to be dependent on others and not God. I've learned by giving over and over again we become dependent on giving our gifts away to where we have to become more relying on the Lord to supply our resources. I can guarantee that if you're truly a committed person of God there will be blessings waiting for you beyond your imagination in Heaven and to tell you the truth you'll be getting them before you even get there and this has nothing to do with 'Prosperity Christianity'. It just the way God in His deep love for us works.
How about doing the "New Year Resolution Thing" and plan just how you're going to bring blessing to others ... so God can bless your life in 2010?
... When We Put an Effort into Others Stuff Happens
God promises that if we will concentrate on blessing others, he'll take care of our needs. There's almost nothing that God won't do for the person who really wants to help other people. In fact, God guarantees this blessing. In Luke chapter 18, Jesus says, "I guarantee this. Anyone who gives up anything for the kingdom of God will certainly receive many times more in this life and will receive eternal life in the next world to come."
When We Bless Others Things Happen to Us
The more you bless others, the more God blesses our lives. Luke 6:38 tells us, "Give your life away and you'll find your life given back. But not merely given back. Given back with bonus and blessing." Not a bad deal right? You cannot out-give God. The more you do the blessing other thing in the game, the more God says, "I'm going to pour blessings out on you."
Who Are Your Pouring Your Life Into
God wants us to be blessed not just so that we can feel good about ourselves, not just so we can be happy and comfortable in life and have a clear conscience before our Lord, but so that we will bless others beyond their imagination. God told Abraham in Genesis 12, "I will bless you and you will be a blessing to others."
If God Is Giving Providing for You He Expects You to Help Him
Jesus said it this way in Luke chapter 12 "Much is required from those to whom much is given. For their responsibility is greater."
Based on the blessings of your life (think about them), what is God expecting from you?
...
2 Peter 1:5-11 says, "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. So if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he (she) is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he (she) has been cleansed from there past sins. Therefore, my brothers (sisters), be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel
No comments:
Post a Comment