Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “A life that matters”
Our Bible verse for today: “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.” Galatians 6:7-8 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Bless others and you yourself will be blessed.”
Yesterday I reminded you of the classic Christmas story about Ebenezer Scrooge. He was a greedy and self-centered man who cared little about others. His thoughts were almost entirely on himself and therefore he was unkind, inconsiderate, and he shut people out of his life. He also did nothing to help others. As a result his life was dark and lonely and sad. But when he had a change of heart, when he took his eyes off of himself and focused instead on being a blessing to others, his world changed dramatically. Suddenly there was joy and laughter and love and blessings. Scrooge went from being a miserable old man to being happy and joyful – all because he took his eyes off of himself and focused instead on being a blessing to others.
You reap what you sow. Bless others and you will be blessed in return. Make others happy and you yourself will be happy. That’s the lesson Paul was teaching in Galatians 6:7-10. Here’s the rest of it:
“So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.”
Often we can be tempted to think that our own special set of circumstances prevents or limits us in our ability to help others. Sometimes we think we’re too busy. But I know a woman who works full-time, she has a spouse who is ill, she has an extended family of children and grandchildren who depend on her, and yet she consistently looks for opportunities to help others too. And as a result she is alive in her faith, she is upbeat and joyful, and she truly enjoys life. She blesses others and her life is blessed in return.
I also know a man who is disabled because of a heart condition and the doctors have told him not to work. That’s unfortunate because he’s a relatively young man. However since he no longer has a full-time job he has to go to every day, he instead consistently finds ways to fill his time by doing things for others. He is one of the most dependable helpers and servants I know, and his life reflects that.
I know another man who is now retired. He too fills his days with acts of service to others. Every time you turn around you see this guy doing something for someone – and loving it! Happy and joyful, just wanting to be helpful where he can be, his is a life that is full and alive, and all because he makes it a point to be a blessing to others. It really is true that you reap what you sow. Bless others and you yourself will be blessed.
As we continue to consider how we will structure our lives in 2017 – the goals we will set, the activities we will be involved in, and the things we will invest our time in, I encourage you to prayerfully consider how you will be a blessing to others in the New Year. You reap what you sow. Bless others and you yourself will be blessed.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 