Be A Blessing To Others

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

1 Peter 3:9 

 

This marks the 1000th Cup of Joe, and as such, Joey Pellicci's life is a GREAT example for this devotional.  Joey Pellicci was one of those people who was a blessing to others, even if he didn't agree with them.  He made it a point to encourage others.  He made it a point to do his best to make others' day better.  He truly lived the example of Christ by treating others the same way he wanted to be treated.

 

We see the love of Christ radiating in Joey's life.  Let's strive to radiate the love of Christ through our lives as well.  BE A BLESSING to others! 

What Difference Does It Make?

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? 

James 2:15-16 

 

One of the biggest criticisms I have heard about Christians is they pray a lot but don't DO much.  And to be honest, that criticism, in some cases, is absolutely correct.  How many times have we heard of someone struggling and our response was "I'll pray for you"?  While praying for someone is always a good thing, wouldn't it be even better if we prayed AND helped that person?  

 

Let's look at this a different way: Suppose you were struggling to provide food for your family after a setback, would it be better for members of the church to come and pray for that family?  Or would it be better to bless the family with groceries?

 

Remember when Jesus fed the 5000?  He met their need and as a result, they listened to Him.  And every time Jesus healed someone, He met their need and, as a result, His message was heard.

 

Remember the Good Samaritan?  The person who had been left for dead was passed over by the religious guys.  It was the Samaritan who came along and met his NEED.  

 

Praying is good!  But God requires us to DO something as well, even if it is to sit with someone while the vent.  There is no reason to ever become a "bookshelf christian" where you look pious and collect dust.  Let us be about following the example of Christ!

Oh...I'll PRAY for you alright!!!

But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. ²⁸ Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

Luke 6:27-28 

Ever been hurt by someone?  Ever had someone treat you like something they stepped in whilst wandering through a cow pasture?  Ever had someone stab you in the back?  Me too!

Ever stub your toe in the dark?  Did you get angry and try to destroy the thing upon which you stubbed your toe? When we are hurt, our natural response is to lash out and hurt whatever hurt us.  When someone hurts us, the only prayers we want to offer are prayers that God will rain down vengeance upon them.

But wouldn't that simply escalate the situation?  And what good comes out of escalating a bad situation?  NONE!  Jesus had a different way of thinking which goes against the grain of our natural responses most times.  Jesus teaches us to DE-Escalate situations by doing the unexpected.

I'm not about to say that it's easy to do, and I won't lie and say that I no longer struggle with this, but I'm learning.  Life here slurps swamp water at times!  But that doesn't mean we have to wallow in it either.  In John 10:10 we read "The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."  Did you catch that?  The thief represents everything that happens to us that takes our focus off of Christ!  If we allow it, the thief will destroy our lives, our relationships, everything!  BUT Christ came so that we can have a much better life because we remember whose we are!