Tag Archive | gifts

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 33 – Blessed to Be a Blessing

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 33

 Blessed to Be a Blessing

Lord, I am so grateful for all that You have blessed me with. How may I be a blessing to others? How might I pay it forward? What is Your plan and purpose for my life. How might I best serve You, bring glory to Your name, and bless Your children in the process?

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

My child, I have blessed you to be a blessing. Just as I blessed Abraham (Genesis 12:2) to be a blessing, I have blessed you to be a benefit to others. I have given you much and much will be required of you (Luke 12:48). I have entrusted you with much, so I ask much more of you. Will you prove faithful? It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Give generously out of the abundance you have received from Me.

You are blessed when you trust in Me (Psalm 40:4). I give you My strength and peace (Psalm 29:11). You are blessed when I discipline you and teach you. I will never reject you or forsake you. (Psalm 94:12-14). Blessed are you when you revere My name and take delight in My commands (Psalm 112:1). Blessed are the ones who seek Me and find My wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 3:13), who seek My instruction and do not disregard it, who listen to Me and find life in My wisdom (Proverbs 8:33-35). My blessings bring wealth without the pain of striving (Proverbs 10:22).

I bless the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted because of righteousness, and those insulted because of Me (Matthew 5:3-11). Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial; that person will receive the crown of life I promise to the one who loves Me (James 1:12). I bless all who call on Me (Romans 10:12). You are blessed in all these things.

I do not bless you so that you may keep it to yourself. Freely you have received; now freely pass along your blessings to others (Matthew 10:8). In the spirit of giving, when you give so much as a cup of cold water to one in need, you will show yourself to be Mine and not lose your reward (Matthew 10:42). Be generous with your gifts; give liberally, as you have received generously from Me. This includes the gifts of love and forgiveness.

Do not be stingy in your giving. You have been blessed with much, you must, in turn, contribute much to the well-being of others. Give food to the poor, and spiritual food to the poor in spirit. Share a meal along with the good news of the gospel. Those who give to the poor will lack nothing (Proverbs 28:27). I consider you pure and faultless when you look after the widow and the orphan (James 1:27). This is a cause I feel strongly about.  

Do not keep to yourself what you have learned in strife. Be a blessing to others by sharing your experiences and what I have taught you. A teacher does not withhold the blessing of experiential learning. Let others learn from your mistakes whenever they are willing to listen. Share your story, the story I have written in your life, as well as, My story of love in the Bible. Be prepared at all times to give an account for the hope which you have in Christ Jesus. Share the message of the gospel and offer the prayer of invitation when the Holy Spirit prompts you. Do not shrink back from My requests. Whenever possible, guide others into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

You have been blessed so richly because of My mercy and grace. Will you now be a blessing to others? Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, but give generously and store up treasures in heaven where nothing will destroy them (Matthew 6:19-21).

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I am blessed by You to be a blessing to others. Help me use the gifts given to me by the Spirit to benefit the body of Christ, as well as, those who do not yet know you as their Savior. Lord Jesus, help me to not be stingy with the gifts you have given me. Let me give generously to others as You have given generously to me. Lord, I ask You to give the voice of Your Spirit to me generously now as we meet for a few moments alone. Lord, allow me to hear Your wisdom and direction for my life. Thank You for the blessing of Your Holy Spirit living in me. I pray that I will always pay attention to Your voice in my thoughts. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Two-way Conversation with God: 

  • Father God, will You now remind me of the blessings I have received from You and how You want me to use those to bless others? (Record all the thoughts that flood your mind right now.)

 

  • Jesus, my Savior, will You bring to my mind the face of someone You want me to bless today. Then, show me, Lord, the best way to show Your love to them. Let me see them through Your eyes, and see the real need that will benefit them most. Then, give me the courage to give generously to bring glory and honor to You. (Write down the ideas He gives you.)

 

  • Holy Spirit, may I always be tuned in to Your promptings and Your whispers as You direct me to be a blessing to others. Help me know the means and the extent You desire me to give. Please show me Your will for me today. How may I best use my gifts and resources to bless another? Please be specific. (Journal His words and promptings.)

 

Review God’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.

Prayer:

Almighty God, thank You for sharing Your heart for Your children and ways I might show Your goodness and love to others. I pray that out of my abundance I will always give with a cheerful heart and a generous spirit. Thank You for the ideas You have given me on ways I may show Your love to others while blessing them by meeting their need. Lord Jesus, You were the best example of this. Holy Spirit, continue to transform me into the likeness of Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, who gave the ultimate gift with His death on the cross, I ask all these things. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Genesis 12:2-3, 2“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Psalm 29:11, The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.

Psalm 33:12, Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.

Psalm 40:4, Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

Psalm 84:4-5, 4Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they are ever praising You. 5Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

Psalm 89:15-17, 15Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, Lord. 16They rejoice in Your name all day long; they celebrate Your righteousness. 17For You are their glory and strength, and by Your favor You exalt our horn.

Psalm 94:12-14, 12Blessed is the one You discipline, Lord, the one You teach from Your law; 13You grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. 14For the Lord will not reject His people; He will never forsake His inheritance.

Psalm 112:1, Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in His commands.

Proverbs 3:13-15, 13Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, 14for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Proverbs 8:33-35, 33“Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. 34Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. 35For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 10:22, The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.

Proverbs 28:20, A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 28:27, Those who give to the poor will lack nothing but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

Isaiah 30:18, Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!

Matthew 5:3-11, The Beatitudes – He said: 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 6:19-21, 19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves to not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 10:8, “Freely you have received; freely give.”

Matthew 10:42, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 12:48, “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. “

Acts 20:35, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Romans 10:12, For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

James 1:12, Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:27, Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

His Matchless Love

My darling, I love you, much more than you will ever comprehend. Your life is like a mere ember that can be squashed out any time. However, My love for you goes on forever. I will love you into all eternity. I love you to the moon and back, past the stars, and beyond the oceans. My love for you is greater than the expanse of the heavens. I love you long into the night and all throughout the day. There is no match for My love. Sit with Me a while and rest. Lean on Me and feel the warmth of My embrace. I kiss your cheek and whisper in your ear, “All is well, My love. I am with you always. I will never leave you.”

 You are My beloved child. I am your loving Father. Stay with Me and absorb the abundance I give you. All I have is yours. Claim My blessing and My affection. It is yours for the taking. Ask, and you shall receive. I give you whatever you need, and then, I give you more. I will pour out My abundant blessing and My wisdom. My mercies are new every morning. Begin each day with Me and end it the same. Listen to My still, small voice throughout your day. I have much wisdom to impart. I will teach you all things and remind you what I have said. I will offer you conviction and encouragement, forgiveness and redemption, blessing and love.

Love is the greatest of My gifts to you, because it is unconditional, no strings attached. I love you no matter what. I love you regardless of your sins and shortcomings. I will forgive you again and again, when you ask. I help you in your time of need. When you are tempted, I offer you a way out. I strengthen you for each battle. I prepare you for every circumstance. I walk you through all your trials. I lift you up when you are down. I protect you when you are weak. I carry the weight of your burdens. I walk through fire for you. I modeled the depth of My love for you when I died on the cross, in your place.

You are the crown of my creation. I desire your full devotion. Do not give time to other gods. Put Me first. I am your One and only true God. I am your loving Father, your faithful friend. I will never leave you. I am with you at all times. I enjoy spending time with you. Will you sit with Me each day?

 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Apart from Me, you can do nothing. Experience all of Me when you spend time with Me daily. I am delighted in you. Delight yourself in Me, and I will give you the desires of your heart. You are My special angel. I am your doting Father. All I have belongs to you. I can’t wait to pour out My blessings upon you, when you spend time with Me. You are My child. I love you perfectly and completely.

 

Three Gifts for Christmas


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.Great things come in threes. God gives Christ followers many awesome gifts, too numerous to mention here, but the greatest are these three: 1) God the Father, 2) Jesus the Son, and 3) God the Holy Spirit—a.k.a. the Trinitarian, Three-In-One God.

God, the Father, sent His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to: 1) be born of a virgin, 2) walk the earth in the flesh as a man, and 3) die on the cross as a sacrificial lamb of atonement for the sins of all people. Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb. He descended into hell to bear the punishment for all our sins. Three days later, God: 1) raised Jesus from the dead, 2) seated Him next to Himself at His right hand, and 3) placed all things under His feet, appointing Jesus to be head over everything (Eph. 1:22).

Matthew narrates the Christmas story highlighting the visit from the Magi in Matthew 2:9-11,

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Again, the number three triumphs. The wise men from the east bowed down and worshiped the Christ child. They presented Him with three treasured gifts: 1) gold, 2) incense, and 3) myrrh.

As you honor Jesus this Christmas by giving gifts to family and friends, bosses and co-workers, employees and charities, think about what three gifts you could present directly to the Christ child. Will it be,

1)     love, obedience, and trust,

2)     glory, praise, and worship, or

3)     tithes, offerings, and service?

Whatever you decide, you can’t out-give God. He already demonstrated the great depth of His love for you by giving the ultimate gift—the birth and death of His Son, Jesus Christ, as payment for your sin.

Perhaps you could honor the Christ child today with these three gifts: 1) your time, 2) your attentiveness, and 3) your discerning ears.

1)     Make TIME to BE STILL with God today.

2)     Escape the crowds and noise, and FOCUS your attention on Him only.

3)     LISTEN to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit within.

God loves you more than you will ever comprehend. He wants to spend time with you, showing you and telling you. In your quiet time with Jesus today, bow down and worship the King on His birthday. Present Him with your three gifts: 1) time, 2) attentiveness, and 3) listening ears. It is better to give AND receive JESUS.

My three gifts to God and you today are three FREE Kindle books, 1) Manna for Today, 2) 7 Simple Steps to Hearing God’s Voice, and 3) 7 Roadblocks to Hearing God Speak. Download your three FREE Kindle books today, in honor of Jesus Christ, my King.

Manna for Todayhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B019T6OWTU

7 Simple Steps to Hearing God’s Voice https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017XXKPYM

7 Roadblocks to Hearing God Speakhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M10Z420

 

In the love and service of Christ,

Sindy Nagel

Author/Speaker/Blogger

 

 

His Heart will Sing

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2).

Beloved one, make it your pleasure to offer yourself—heart, mind, and soul—to Me, in reverence. Do not be as the pagans, who do not acknowledge Me as God. You previously belonged to this world and its ways. However, now you are a stranger to it. Do not imitate the ways of those who do not know Me or accept me. You are My child, I adopted you as My heir. My Holy Spirit, who dwells in your heart, transforms you by the renewing of your mind. Pay attention to His voice within. He teaches you and reminds you of My good and perfect will. You need not question how to please Me. Love Me with your obedience. Set yourself apart from this world, remaining pure and holy as your spiritual worship. Serve Me wholeheartedly according to the gifts I have given you. Live into the purpose I created you for and let My heart sing.


 

Faithful and True


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1: 7-9)

I am called Faithful and True. I am faithful and true to my promises. I will keep you strong to the end when Jesus Christ is revealed. I have called you into relationship with my Son and have adopted you as my own sons and daughters. You do not lack any spiritual gift. You have been enriched in every way. You have the gift of knowledge available to you through my Spirit who lives within you.

Listen to the voice of my Spirit of Truth and grow in spiritual wisdom. This way you will remain strong to the end, when you remain in continuous relationship with me. Do not forsake meeting with me and listening to me. I am the voice of reason in a world that has gone astray. Pay attention to my teachings. Remain pure and humble. Be obedient to my commands. Follow my instructions and you will be blameless on that final day. Be forever faithful and true to me.