The Weekly Encourager – December 10, 2014 – More Blessed to Give

“Your greatest test is when you are able to bless someone else while you are going through your own storm.” - Regina Malabago

This was posted on Facebook by my friend Ellen, who is enduring ongoing suffering of a nature that I can't even imagine, yet still retains her faith in God with an upbeat attitude. I say AMEN! Our Lord Jesus the Christ lived a whole life of service to others. Even while suffering on the cross, He blessed the thief who repented and His mother who grieved. While dying, He gave to others words of hope! If you are suffering and you can find a way to bless someone else, God has given you His special grace to do that. You are sharing the true sacrificial love of Christ, the love that passes understanding, the love that knows no end. Even if no one else notices, God is watching you, and you WILL be rewarded for every kind word or deed done in His name.

Another friend posted this quote: “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” - Rabindranath Tagore

The apostle Paul told the disciples, “You know, from the first day...how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials....[More] bonds and afflictions await me...but I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God....And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified....In every thing I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” - Acts 20:18-24, 32, 35

When we feel the call to bless another in the midst of our own suffering, it's a test. With “tears and with trials” will we “testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” as Paul did? This is the ministry which we have “received from the Lord Jesus” if we belong to Him. The student is not greater than the Master. We must take up our cross daily and follow Him, offering words of hope to those around us.

Oh Lord, let everything I say and do testify to YOUR LOVE that is greater than my pain, stronger than any death! May the gospel of grace be evident in my life.

Have a blessed, thankful, giving day.

God is faithful,
j