The Blessing1

Throughout the recent Thanksgiving holidays, I heard numerous people proclaim how "blessed" they were.  What most usually meant was that they were "blessed" to have a job; or they were "blessed" with their family; or they were"blessed" because they were financially secure, etc., etc. Granted, these are real blessings, but what does the Bible say about what it means to be "blessed?"  I want to share three devotionals built around this idea of "blessing."

The first has to do not with "being blessed," but how we can BE a blessing to others.

In 1 Peter 3:8, the converted fisherman explains 5 ways that we can be a blessing to others... here's how:

1. Live in harmony with others- Harmony means a unity of spirit and thought. See Rom. 12:16 and Phil 2:5

2. Be sympathetic towards others-which means to "suffer together." See 1Cor 12:26

3. Love people within the family of faith. See the definition of "love" in 1Cor 13:4-8

4. Be compassionate towards others-The word "compassionate" means "pitiful." It also has the idea of being tenderhearted and affectionately sensitive.

5. Show humility- Humility is the opposite of pride. See Jesus' example in Phil 2:6ff.

Alot of us want to be "blessed"...and I will share some thoughts about HOW to be blessed in the next devotional, but in the meantime, why don't we make it our prayer to BE A BLESSING to others!

The Watch

My son is serving in the military at Fort Jackson, S.C.  Before going to Ft. Jackson, he did his Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma.

One of the primary activities of all military personnel is P.T (Physical Training).  They run, do push ups, sit ups, and then run some more.  My son wanted a Sports Watch so he could time his runs and so I ordered him a Timex Triathlon Sport from Amazon.com. They shipped it to him at his post (military installation) and he was excited about being able to monitor his progress.  

Being young, naive, and careless,he left his new watch on his bunk (bed) while he showered one day and someone stole it.  My son saw his watch on the wrist of one of the other soldiers and reported him to the Sargent.  The thief was written up on an Article 15 violation and ordered to pay restitution to the Army in the amount of one month's pay...$1000.00.  Can you believe that!  A $50 watch cost him a thousand bucks!

But then again, what a lesson in the consequences of sin!  How many times have you and I paid dearly for a sin that we have committed?  We committed a $50 sin that carried a thousand dollar consequence!  

I know that you are enjoying my new picture.  My computer has some kind of technological ability to affect my facial features and make them look like I came from outer space!  Along the same line, sin has the ability to affect our lives in such a way that we don't recognize ourselves and say like Paul, "What I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate to do." (Romans 7)

Stay alert my brothers...the devil is a roaring lion and he is on the prowl! Do not let sin be your master and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit!

The Reject

A quick Google Search will yield the Top 20 Illegitimate Children in history. The ranks include Pope Clement VII, the once spiritual head of the Catholic Church; Leonardo da Vinci, Napoleon's wife, Josephine; Marilyn Monroe; and James Smithson, the inceptor of the Smithsonian Institution. Not a bad list for kids whose parents just hooked up!

The list of the Top 20 Illegitimate Children is missing one very important person...Jephthah, the 9th Judge of the nation of Israel (See Judges 11). He had an adulterous dad and a prostitute for a mom. He REALLY DID have a prostitute for a mom...unlike WR Dez Bryant who was the Dallas Cowboys 24th pick in the first round in last weekend's NFL draft. In a pre-draft interview, the General Manager of the Miami Dolphins asked Bryant if his mother was a prostitute...ouch! He apologized today for his classless inquiry.

In addition to having a mom and dad of questionable character, Jephthah had several jealous brothers who led a crusade to run him out of town. But even with his tarnished family background,God was able to use him to lead the nation of Israel to a military victory over the hated Ammonites.

You should read the story...its not that long....and it will remind you that no one is disqualified for God's service if he comes with a humble and willing heart to be used...even if your mother WAS a prostitute! ...*Bro. Jerry

The Elaeagnus Bush

One of my friends had a disagreement with his weekend neighbor over some minor irritation. They both had cabins on a lake, and the neighbor had to look across the property of my friend to enjoy the beauty of the lake. After their little dust up, my friend went to Callaways Yard and Garden and asked for information about the "fastest growing hedge" they sold...they said, "the elaeagnus bush." My friend bought 30 or so bushes and promptly went to his lake house and planted a hedgerow so as to block the view of the lake from his neighbor.

He was relentless in his care for the elaeagnus bushes...he watered them each day with a mixture of Miracle Grow and bitterness. And boy did they thrive! They grew as fast as his resentment, and after several growing seasons, the neighbors view of the prettiest part of the lake was completely cut off!

The Apostle Paul counseled the christians at Ephesus, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Eph. 4:32) Here's the application:
1. If you are considering buying some elaeagnus bushes...DON"T!
2. If you have planted some elaeagnus bushes in your marriage...STOP WATERING THEM!
3. If you consider how much the Lord has forgiven you, I'm sure you should be able to find some kind of tool of forgiveness to CUT THOSE BUSHES DOWN! .....*Bro Jerry