Agents of Blessing – Proverbs 11:10-11
“Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted.”
~~~ Proverbs 11:11, NIV
YOU ARE STRATEGICALLY PLACED in this world to make a difference. You probably know this by now, even if, at times, you struggle to see how. Perhaps you spend much of your mental energy focusing on the problems you face or on the people who created those problems and the ways you wish you could fix them. Or maybe you’ve had seasons of seeing your life as your own, wondering how to find fulfillment or manage the tasks at hand. Perhaps there are times when you exist—moment by moment, day by day. Even so, you’re aware of bigger things. You recognize a calling from the Spirit within you. You want to live with a sense of destiny.
On the one hand, we can sometimes be so focused on the big picture that we miss the opportunities in front of us. On the other, we can become so focused on the details of daily life that we miss pursuing the more significant relationships we have already been given. In between those two points of focus, the macro and the micro, we live and work among people who could be influenced in one way or another by a godly attitude. We have many opportunities to pray blessings on those around us—people at the office, in a classroom, standing in line, commenting on social media, passing by on the street—all of whom need, as we do, regular touches from God.
We have platforms from which to improve lives, encourage hearts, and demonstrate Kingdom values and ways. Our calling is to impart grace, and we have open doors to do so—through prayers, words, favors, and acts of kindness and compassion. We are living, breathing, walking agents of blessing.
Listen to the voice that reminds you of all the people placed in your path who need a priestly touch from a son or daughter of God. Be an advocate before God’s throne on their behalf. Ask him to meet their needs. Let your city—or office or neighborhood or school—be exalted through the blessings you bring.
Ask God to show you your potential. How can I bless the lives that cross my path? What words can I speak and pray? What deeds can I do? May every circle of my relationships be lifted up by whatever blessings I bring. All God’s people said, “AMEN”.
~~~ copied from The One Year Salt and Light Devotional by Chris Tiegreen
Whispherers of Lies and Half-Truths
A gossip or bearer of tales does no good. You don’t want to be one. Watch for those who act as a friend but are enemies. Let’s be honest, we all are prone to listen to those who have dainty morsels to share about others. Don’t do that. You might repeat what you hear and further the strife that the whisperer or gossip has started.
Discontent and strife spread among brethren and neighbors, both. It is a contentious man or woman who is hard to please. They are apt to find fault in everyone and everything. They love a good argument and seek to spread the damage as far as possible.
Journalists today primarily act as tale-bearers or whisperers of lies or half-truths. Some know what they say is a lie, while others get instructions on teleprompters from their bosses higher up the chain of command. Seldom are the facts told or shared with the public. If they were, we would likely come to different conclusions. Therefore, strife gets spread among the citizens of this country. What can we do? Research what is said as thoroughly as possible, and turn off the TV and not read their posts.
Boasting of Tomorrow
Death is unquestionable to all men as the fruit of sin or by the appointment of God. It has a fixed specific time, which cannot be exceeded, but no man knows of that day and hour. Therefore, he cannot boast of a moment of future time, tomorrow, or what he shall enjoy on a particular day. He has only today.
He cannot be sure he shall have the next. He cannot assure himself of health, honor, pleasures, riches, and friends. He may have health today and sickness tomorrow; be in honor today, and in disgrace the next. He may bid his soul to eat, drink, and be merry. After all, he has had much wealth and provisions for many years. But vainly, he says that each day will be the same with much more abundance. Yet this night, his soul may be required of him. Today, he may have his wife, children, friends, and relations about him. However, before another day comes, they may be stripped from him.
Riches are uncertain things; they may take wings and fly away. Nor should a man boast of what he will do on the morrow, either in civil matters, trade and business, or acts of charity. Whatever a man finds his duty to do, he should do it at once while he has an opportunity.
In things religious, a man should repent of his sins, amend his life, and hear the Gospel, the voice of Christ. All these things should be done today and not put off until tomorrow. Nor should true believers procrastinate the profession of their faith, nor should any duty or exercise of religion be postponed to another season. Men should work today and always abound in the work of the Lord and found so doing.
You don’t know what a day may bring. Time is like a pregnant woman. She knows not what she shall bring forth till the time comes. Will it be a son or a daughter, a dead or a living child? So are the events of time. They are the secret things that belong to God. The passage of time and seasons of things are in his power. We don’t know what the present day will bring forth. We still know less about what tomorrow will do. What changes will tomorrow produce in our circumstances, in our bodies, and in our minds? Therefore, we cannot be sure what we shall be, what we shall have, or what we shall do tomorrow, even provided we have one.
~~~ John Gill (1696-1771)
Franklin’s Fugio Cent & His 13 Virtues
On April 21, 1787, the Congress of the Confederation of the United States authorized a design for an official copper penny. It was later referred to as the Fugio cent because of its image of the Sun and its light shining down on a sundial with the caption, “Fugio” (Latin: I flee, referring to time flying by). By some accounts, this coin was designed by Benjamin Franklin as a reminder to its holders, he put at its bottom the message, “Mind your business”. This design was based on the 1776 “Continental dollar” coin, which was produced in pattern pieces but was never circulated. It consists of 10 grams of copper.
The reverse side bore the motto “We Are One” surrounded by thirteen chain links, representing the original thirteen colonial states. Notice the 13 interlocking rings on the coin’s design as shown above. It symbolizes the colonies and Franklin’s virtues. He believed every person should be responsible for building his or her own character.
Check out this link below for a further discussion of those 13 virtues:
https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/behavior/the-virtuous-life-wrap-up/
The Power of Gratitude
Is it natural for humans to focus on all the good things they have or instead on all the things they don’t have? It is the latter. And it is a recipe for discontent, depression, and despair, per Gregory Jantz. He wrote an excellent article on “The Healing Power of Gratitude” in The Epoch Times this November. It is from that article that several of the following points are made.
So why be grateful in a world that is so depressing at times? Why incorporate it into our daily lives? Gratitude is the antidote for every toxic thing that comes into our lives. It fosters optimism, which strengthens hope, much lacking in our society today. There is a body of research that demonstrates how gratitude enhances our well-being. It improves self-esteem, better sleep, boosts immunity, decreases depression, reduces anxiety, and stronger relationships.
Some people keep a gratitude journal. They record at least three things per day they are thankful for. People who continue this activity score 25% higher on surveys that measure happiness. They also sleep a half-hour longer most nights. Grateful people exercise 33% more every week than unthankful people.
Gratitude is something we can control. It is a deliberate attitude. When we do, we often find that hope, courage, joy, and contentment rise, shifting our focus from negative to positive. Gratitude reveals the bright side in dark times. Today, we live in dark times, don’t we? So how do we start? Here are a few ideas to get started as shared by the article’s author referenced above.
- Notice the small moments that bring you joy.
- Keep a gratitude journal. List 3 blessings in your life and describe how they enrich you.
- Take a fresh look at friends and family. Count your blessings for those who love and support you.
- Celebrate creativity. Be grateful you live in such a rich and textured creative culture.
- Make daily rituals memorable. Sit and enjoy your morning coffee rather than quaffing it down as you hurry out the door.
- Look at the world through a child’s eyes. Don’t fret about the future or dwell in the past. Appreciate the present moment, with all of its opportunities and pleasures.
- Give a compliment to someone. Write down what you appreciate about that individual and the quality you admire.
- Pray or meditate. Shut out a noisy world and focus personal thoughts on God rather than yourself.
- Mine today for possibility. Every day is an opportunity to steer your life in a new direction and find blessings.
So what are you waiting for? Get started now!
Bill Wyler
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