Giving

“It is more blessed to give than receive.” Acts 20: 35 

Acts 20: 35 is one of the “Be Attitudes” as known in the Bible.  It’s unusual—the giver more blessed than the receiver.  Paul, who wrote the book of Acts, shares the “Be Attitudes” and illustrates giving secures more real happiness than receiving.  However, this attitude goes against our natural intuitions and instincts.

So, why more blessed than to receive?  When we have the capacity to meet a need—to bless others, we are obeying God and His call to serve others.  In turn, when we obey God and bless others, God in turn provides and blesses those who bless.  It’s not a one-way street.  God will bless those who bless others—Genesis 12: 3:  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

How do we bless others?  Pray, text a Bible verse of meaning, spend time with others and listen, help with chores, write a personal note, share a meal, provide a meal, share an encouraging story, invite to a Bible Study.  We have endless opportunities to bless others.  Most are small and not very costly; a few are large and can be costly.  No matter the size or the cost, the heart of the giver to meet the need of someone else is the most important.

Today, bless someone, serve someone, give to someone.  If we are traveling, open the door or help someone with their bags.  In our hotel room and locker room, leave it as clean or cleaner than we found it.  These acts seem small, but will be a great blessing to someone else.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill

Listening

Why is listening so hard? Most people just want to be heard but not engage in listening first. Listening well is a skill, almost a lost skill, that is critical for building positive relationships and communicating effectively. Today, people focus on what they have to say, or better yet post on social media, and are more eager to prove a point or sway others to agree with them. But in contrast, people who listen well seek to understand and then respond.

What is the importance of listening well?  Let’s look at 5 reasons:

1.    Listening Well Makes Others Feel Valued.  When people feel heard, they feel appreciated and cared for. 

2.    Listening Well Brings out the Best in Others.  Listening promotes creativity, insight, and participation among people.

3.    Listening Well Resolves Conflicts.  Listening focuses on the goal of understanding, rather than being understood.

4.    Listening Well Builds Your Credibility.  Proverbs 14:8. Fools deceive themselves. Proverbs 1:5. Wise leaders listen to gain understanding.

5.    Listening Well Makes You More Like Jesus.  Even when surrounded by crowds with pressing needs, Jesus took time to be fully present. He asked great questions and made people feel valued. As the ultimate servant-leader, Jesus modeled exceptional listening skills. 

Let this be our goal: Seek to understand others rather than seeking to be understood. Be a good listener. James 1:19 provides great instruction on how to meet this goal:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. James 1:19 

Credit:

https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/why-listening-is-the-most-critical-leadership-skill.html

Knowing God

 This week's devotion was prepared by Rick Loumiet--Replay Official, Big 12.......

It’s not how much do you know God, but it’s more how much does God know YOU !

Believe it or not, God knows you better than you think. It’s amazing that the God of the universe, the God who created all things and sustains everything, actually knows us quite intimately. King David had, to some degree, an understanding of this and in Psalm 8 writes; When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?

Is it possible that the very God who, in Genesis, created everything, including man, has enough time for us. I’m guessing keeping the universe operational takes a lot of energy.  Does God have enough bandwidth for me and you, individually, to really know and care for us? The answer is obviously YES !

King David goes on to write in Psalm 139:

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

 

Think about how much God actually knows you. I love the verse that says before the words even form on my tongue, God knows it. He knows what you’ll say and when you’ll say it. We think we’re pretty slick and may be able to fool others around us but we’ll never fool God. My prayer is for each of us to take some time and consider our relationship with the living, Almighty God. Consider how much He knows you and if you feel like you really don’t know Him, or even if you feel you do, make it your goal to get to know Him more. How do we do that? Easy…start by reading the Bible, even just one verse at a time.

Jeremiah 29:13 ; You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.