For the next six weeks I will be sending out a special daily scripture and devotion Monday thru Thursday (hence the numbers). I will give you a scripture that I would like you to post (on a sticky note or index card) in your car, work area, house, etc., and will suggest some ways to apply it to your life. (I will still send one out Fridays and Saturdays, but they will not be numbered. The numbers line up with daily radio broadcasts that began today on WMIE 91.5 FM at 6:30 a.m. when I am taking listeners through the whole Bible in six weeks! :)- if you are not from our area, you will be able to pick up the six weeks of teaching on our "Abide in His Word" web site or on our Calvary Chapel Space Coast media page.)
SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: (Please print this verse out on sticky notes or index cards and post it prominently so you can read it and think on it throughout your day.)
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. (1Pe 3:8-9)
Weird as it sounds, in God's kingdom the quickest way to getting a blessing is by giving a blessing. The way to be blessed, is to bless. We who are in Christ are the seed of Abraham through Christ and are part of God's great plan to bless the whole world (Genesis 12:3b). Are you fulfilling your calling to be a blessing where you are and where you go?
God's prophets throughout the ages have understood this "secret" or "key" to being greatly blessed by God. The prophet Isaiah recorded the following words of God:
"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
(Isa 58:6-11)
When you are willing to be a blessing to those around you you will find yours days brightened, your burdens lifted, and even healing and answered prayers will be on their way!
Be a light and a source of comfort to others, and the great light of God's favor will shine brightly into your own darkness and bring great blessing. How can you bless someone today?
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.
(If this is too long for you to post, try posting just verse nine which begins with the "not returning evil for evil . . . "- I would love to hear from those of you that are posting your verses. Send me which verses you posted where, and let me know if it's okay to share your action with the devotion readers or radio listeners.)
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