In Galatians 5:22-23, God lists out different aspects of what living in His Spirit looks like. Each one of the "fruit of the Spirit" is an aspect of love, and faithfulness is a big one. In Part 1 of this series on faithfulness, I mentioned that the ideas contained in faithfulness are to stay connected, keep blessing, and provide security. When God prompts or whispers stay connected to a person or keep blessing that person or keep providing security, He is really saying "be faithful." Today, we'll look at what God is asking you to do when he whispers "keep blessing."
Keep Blessing
When God is asking you to "keep blessing" it is quite often the person he is also asking you to stay connected to. Think about the fact that in our own lives, God does not just keep hammering us with messages of what we should do or what we should stop doing. He blesses us and gives us little delights, even as we may be ignoring Him in certain areas of our lives. There will be times when God whispers to you that you are to bless someone else with the idea that you are demonstrating God's grace like he does to you. Sometimes it is the person that you least feel like blessing at the time. Other times it is a somewhat distant person. We need to realize that we are God's delivery agents and at times He blesses us so that we can bless others. Often, it will be those closest to us.
I can remember a number of times as a pastor that members of my church would call me and say, "I received an unexpected bonus at work and I know it is not for me. Do we have anyone in the church who has a need?" It was always amazing, because God would make a need apparent, enabling us to say, "Yes, we have someone who can't pay their mortgage this month and your amount matches their need!" This can happen all the time if we are open to it.
I have watched family members bless the prodigal for years with little gifts here or there, and eventually the wayward person wakes up and embraces God and the love of their family. Faithfulness to friends, family, and neighbors is not normal these days, and it stands out when you listen to God's promptings. Is God asking you to bless someone in your life who really doesn't deserve to be blessed? Is he asking you to get them a gift card or buy them a cup of coffee? What is he saying to you right now?
Life is relationships, and when you listen to the Lord prompt you to engage with people through faithfulness, you grow a rich, relational life. Listen for His voice that says, "Bless ___________ by doing __________." He will guide you in growing the fruit of faithfulness, and everyone will be blessed.
I look forward to interacting with you during your spiritual journey. Please email me at info@ptlb.com to let me know how God is working in and through your life. Keep learning and growing in wisdom and in truth; I'm confident that your greatest life is just ahead.
In His service,
Pastor Gil Stieglitz
Allow Us to Bless YOU!
A free preview to:
The Keys to Grapeness:
Growing a Spirit-Led Life of Success
by Dr. Gil Stieglitz
Many people have the wrong definition of a successful life, one based upon the world's measurements: piles of money, fame, power, beauty, possessions, and the like. I want to suggest that Jesus gave us a very different definition of success. In Matthew 22:37-39, he said the two greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In two short sentences Jesus tells us the secret to a successful life-success is filling our lives with loving relationships. Join Gil Stieglitz as he takes you through the practical aspects of the fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23, God's keys to "grapeness" in life and relationships.
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