Channels of blessing
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 1:9-12 Whether we like it or not, our life can affect others in a positive or negative way. This is what Paul was telling the believers in Rome. He was commending them for people were talking about their thriving faith. “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world” (Romans 1:8). He wanted to encourage them by praying for them. What do people in our sphere of influence say about our faith? Do they know that we are followers of Christ? If so, do they see genuine spirituality reflected in our actions? Each day that God gives us while we are here in this world, He wants to use us to be a spiritual blessing to others. He gives us opportunities to make positive impact and be influencers for His glory. We might not be aware of this; our life has the potential to bless everyone we encounter. We have the opportunity to encourage our family, our friends, co-workers, and fellow believers. This is why God calls us to make a deliberate choice of abandoning self-centeredness and follow His example. “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (Philippians 2:4-5). Let us ask God each day to help us be strong in our faith in Him that others around us will be motivated to do the same. Let us strive to be a positive influence to everyone we encounter for they see in us the joy of serving the One we proclaim faithful. “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Hebrews 10:23-24).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman