The word for this week is: “Blesses”.
The thought for this week is: God blesses us so we can bless others.
Does your love of God motivate you to serve others and does your relationship with Him inspire you to services just as He has done for you? This is a truth that we must embrace to experience the abundant blessings of life. Often we feel that we do not have much to offer to others. The fact is that God has given us a great many ways to minister to others with various abilities and resources.
In Ephesians, we learn about a church that was very blessed as Ephesus was a wealthy and influential city that had tremendous potential for spreading the gospel. As Paul wrote his letter to them he was thinking of how they could have an impact on Christianity throughout the world. However, the first thing would be to show them that wealth is not earthly but rather spiritual in nature. In Acts 20:35, he teaches them to use his example of laboring for the weak. He admonished them with words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. Just as it was for the Ephesians, God’s gifts to you were not meant to be hoarded but rather were given to be used to minister to others.
Begin by reading Ephesians 4:1-16. First notice the qualities of life that are worthy of Christ and ask yourself why are they important as you follow Christ. Second, note what it is that Christ gave believers in order to bless each other. So, what are your spiritual gifts? Now, continue reading verses 17-32 and explore the change that is to occur in the way we view ourselves and others.
Now consider all of the special people in your life that have shaped you into who you are today. Have you considered how much they gave and their willingness to share their God given gifts? So now, back to the original question. Does your love of God motivate you to serve others and does your relationship with Him inspire you to services just as He has done for you?
Pray through the following Scripture and strive to memorize I Peter 4:10 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Prayer: Our Father, you have gifted us with so many talents and treasures. Help us to understand the value of your spiritual blessings and to use them wisely in service to others. Grant us an awareness of the gifts we have been given that they might be multiplied in service. Transform our lives that we may affect the world with the gospel. In Jesus’ Name we ask this prayer, Amen.
By Rory Barneche