I remember a commercial quite a while ago where the actor was asked for help and he responded: “What’s my motivation? What will it do for me?” In other words, he was more interested in what he could get out of the situation versus how could he help. In Acts 20:35, the Apostle Paul echoed the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, who said: “‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The Greek word for blessed is multifaceted. It means: supremely fortunate, happier, Part of the nature of being blessed is that it is of the highest good.” So Jesus revealed that is is more blessed, (more fortunate, happier, it is of the highest good) to give than to receive. Consider how happy we are when we give gifts to our children or to a loved one. I don’t know who is happier; the one receiving the gift, or the one who has given the gift? I remember on Christmas Day, I would be so excited to see my children open their gifts. I could hardly contain myself! As the giver, it gave me great joy to give something to my loved ones that I knew was going to make them happy! In actuality, mankind is at his highest joy when he/she is helping others. Part of our DNA is to give to others. God is the greatest giver. He gave us the greatest gift on the cross! Reject this culture of selfishness and become a great giver. Give love, joy, grace, patience, kind words, forgiveness, revelation, affirmation, help among other things. Remember: it is more blessed to give than to receive!
Looking Out For Number One! Minister Cynthia Isales
Looking out for number one is the world’s view but God says in Roman 12:18:”
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all
men.” So how does that fit with society’s view? It doesn’t. God’s ways
are not our ways and and His way doesn’t always seem to make sense at
times but it’s the only way! The word of God says:”His ways are not our
ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.”(Isa 55:8) It also says that
if we are to have friends we must be friendly.(Proverbs 18:24)
So let me ask you? Who will you befriend today? Will you strive to be at
peace with all men or will you be busy trying to get your own needs met
and having it your way? Will you seek peace or try to get what you want
by any means necessary? Will you put others needs ahead of your own or
will you look out for number one?
These are the questions you must ask yourself if you really want to be
like Christ. You must die to self daily; selfishness, self centeredness,
self aggrandizing, self absorbtion, self seeking and self sufficiency. This may seem paradoxical to the world but it’s Godly wisdom. These are
the things you must do to truly look out for Number One!
“So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but
few chosen” – Matthew 20:16
