MEMORY VERSE
From the fullness of his grace we have all received
one blessing after another. John 1:16
REFLECTION
As hard as it can be to give away things that we value, the concept of giving is straight forward and
easy to understand, much easier than receiving. Receiving a blessing is hard to
do. The humility it takes to truly
receive is, well... hard and humbling. Sometimes we think we are receiving when
we are actually exchanging. We receive a
pay check. We receive someone's hand in marriage. We receive an award. But in
each case, we have done or acquired something in exchange. We hate 'owing' someone so instead of
actually receiving, we exchange. In a book about a sailboat race that went very
bad due to a severe storm, the author commented about how many sailors call out
to God in perilous times, making all kinds of promises of what they will do if
God spares them. Is this receiving or
exchanging? God has blessed us with so much which we hardly notice and simply take
for granted. How about that breath you just took. Or the sun that rose this
morning. Or the Kingdom of God? What can you do or give to pay those back?
QUESTIONS TO
CONSIDER
What are the
things you received from God when you became a follower of Christ?
What are the
things you have received from God today?
What is the
appropriate response when you think of these things?
ACTION STEPS FOR
THE WEEK
Rejoice, sing,
praise, laugh, dance, give thanks to God that out of the fullness of His grace
you have received one blessing after another and that there is nothing that you can do or give in exchange for His goodness!
It is a true that we have received from God more than we have given Him back. Instead of exchanging His blessing for something else, let's be channels of His blessings to others. Doesn't the Bible tell that "rivers of living water will flow from within those who believe in Him?" (John 7)
ReplyDeleteIf we keep our focus and intimate connection with this never-ending Source of living water, we will not just freely receive, but also be prompt to freely give. Isn't this the principle of reciprocity?