RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
FRIDAY, 20TH JULY 2018
BE THE “BLESSER” AND THE GIVER
Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand (Philippians 2:4 MSG).
Sometimes it’s easy to think, “Since no one cares about me, I won’t care about anyone!” Don’t be that way. Be the one to remember, care for, and love others! Be the first to love. Be the blesser and the giver. The blessing you get from receiving is less, compared to that which you get from giving to others. Jesus said, “...It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
God’s promise isn’t to the one who receives but to the one who gives. So, rather than seek attention, for example, give it instead. Give love. Demonstrate love to everyone, including those who may have offended you, and to the ungodly that have no hope. That’s how God wants you to live.
Some people only know how to enjoy attention; they only crave love from others. That’s dangerous, because when they don’t get the love and attention they seek, they could become cruel and wicked. You’re the seed of Abraham, and the seed of Abraham reaches out; he’s a blesser; he hears the cry of the needy and responds.
You’re the answer the world is looking for; you’re the one to meet other people’s needs. You may not think so about yourself, but it’s the truth. Genesis 26:4, referring to you, the real spiritual seed of Abraham, says, “…in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” Galatians 3:29 says, “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
You’re blessed in blessing others. Your greatness is in making others great. That’s where real joy is. It’s a higher way to live when you learn to look away from yourself and become concerned about the needs of others and be the blesser and the giver.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for granting me the grace, wisdom, and strength to raise and build others, helping them discover their greatness, and limitless potentials in life. Through me, your blessings flow so bountifully to others, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: Genesis 12:2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.
Luke 6:27-32 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN Acts 26:19-32 & Psalms 19-20
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN Galatians 6:1-9 & Isaiah 40