Blessed to be a blessing

Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son. One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:8-12 Whether we purposely plan it or not, whether good or bad, our lives will affect those we have in contact with. From the text, the Apostle Paul prayed that he can continue to be a blessing to the believers in Rome. The Christians in Rome have not met Paul personally. He had heard of them and their eagerness to grow in their faith this was why he longed to go to be with them. He was eager to come so he could help in building them up in their faith. He always included the believers in Rome in his prayers. Paul was committed to be a blessing to others by proclaiming the gospel and to help those that responded to the message of salvation in their spiritual growth. His letter to the Romans is one of the most cherished and challenging books in the New Testament. Every believer should follow the example set by Paul in leaving a spiritual legacy. God will always provide us opportunities so we can encourage our parents, our children, our friends, our coworkers, and our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. But once God had open up the opportunity, we have to make a deliberate decision to obey Him and to not let our self-centeredness get in the way that we will be prevented to reach out to others. Paul knew that he could not separate himself from the call God provided for him. He also knew that as he blesses others to help them grow in their faith, he will also be blessed. “I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours” (Romans 1:12). You may not realize it, but your life has the potential to bless everyone you encounter. Are others strengthened and encouraged in their faith because of their relationship with you? Do you usually look at others in terms of what they can do for you or in terms of how you can encourage them? As you live the life God gives you each day, spend time with others and strive to be a positive influence to everyone you encounter.

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com