WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
Be generous with the different things God gave you,
passing them around so all get in on it:
if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help.
That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything--encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!
1 Peter 4:10-11 (The Message)
After we’ve received.
I know. I saw it last Saturday.
Who have held out open hands and accepted gifts from God.
Who have encountered the Savior up close and been changed by his glory.
Each one had a gift to share with the rest of us.
For one it was songs—with us and for us. For another it was activities—tangible ways to show us how God flows into our emptiness. For others it was food; words; videos; Scripture readings; communion; prayer.
“So here's what I want you to do.
When you gather for worship,
each one of you be prepared with something
that will be useful for all:
Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story,
lead a prayer, provide an insight.”
1 Corinthians 14:26 (Msg)
It was all overflow.
When we’re empty, he fills us. When we’re full, we overflow onto others. 
It’s purposed. We’re not gifted just for our individual benefit, but to benefit the whole body (1 Corinthians 14). To build up others. Encourage others. Comfort others.
When our gifts are made visible, even outsiders might learn to worship God and declare he really is among us (1 Corinthians 14:25).
Let it always begin with God.
“The focus must always be on Him first.
Come to Him and He will give…”
~ Michael Dubruiel
He came to us.
We come to him.
He gave to us.
We give to others.
Will you keep it flowing?
* * *
What gift from your overflow can you encourage someone with today?
6 comments:
Lisa,
What a sweet time of fellowship! Thank you for sharing encouraging words from your overflow and blessing me! I appreciate you and your love for Him and His truths.
I love those kinds of gatherings! So true that we can't give until and unless we have received, even in the spiritual realm -- especially in the spiritual realm.
Thank you for reminding me that I need to be giving more. But I can't do that until I'm filled myself. When I try to give if I haven't let Him fill me, I'm giving the dregs of my life. ICK!
i think it is good if i flow encouragement more than i have been...especially with my husband...oh how i can not be a gift with words to him:(
i love the last four line sequence...
thanks for this...it's a blessing!
now, you be blessed!!!
my dear lisa, this really showed me the church. how blessed you are, to know these people, to receive so fully from them. and how blessed we are to receive from you. thank you sister. xo (just so you know, this was the final imperfect prose until the new year. merry christmas!)
I was just thinking the other day that in order to give we must first receive. I come from a long line of Scots-Irish who loved to give, but were stubborn about receiving. I have been like this at times--full of pride. I didn't see how I was denying myself a blessing, and denying the would-be-giver of one as well. How many times do we do this with God, thinking we can give, give, give without first receiving the gift of Himself? Oh, He blesses us to be blessing. What a wonderful God He is! Thank you for this reminder. Many blessings!
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