Blessed and Being a blessing

  We all go through life, hoping and praying our situations will
turn around and work out in our favor.  We make a lot of promises to ensure we get those blessings. 
But how many of us actually follow through AFTER we’ve been blessed?  You don’t have to tell anyone, but you should consciously think about your actions long after you’ve received your
blessing.  Here’s a story, that I  am sure most of you have been involved in.

I don’t like to use the word broke, instead let’s use “Temporarily in between funds” 
 

Your temporarily in between funds and you cry out to the Lord  asking him to bless you with a financial blessing.  HE hears your cries, and blesses you in a way that you are able to regain
your stance.  You run across someone who is down on their luck, and could use a few dollars for gas. You decide to keep your blessing to yourself thinking” Shoot, I barely have enough for myself” you begin reasoning yourself so that you’ll feel better for the decision you’ve made to not help
someone out   Right?? Wrong! 
 
Another scenario-You bring in your lunch, which is more than you  can consume by yourself and your co-worker either forgot his/her lunch or simply didn’t have the means to purchase lunch.   Its lunch time, and you notice that your co-worker isn’t eating.  You ask and they tell you that they forgot their lunch.  You say that’s a shame, and keep it moving.  You again, begin reasoning with yourself saying-well what I have is just enough for me, if I don’t eat it all-I can take it home for 
dinner.  But you KNOW in your heart of hearts, that you can’t eat it all. Right,
WRONG!
 
Let’s move on to another example.  The person who will bless others, believing they have sowed a seed for what they want.  Allow me to explain.  Imagine someone who doesn’t believe in lending people money or helping them out of a bind because of how  life happened to them.  However; there was a situation where they were in a relationship, and decided to help out their partners family
member.  Now don’t get me wrong, you give to who you want(as long as your cheerful), but the order/manner in which it was done,  sent up a red flag.  Help was extended and actually extended again, under the impression that it was making a good impression with their mate.  The mate wasn’t impressed and even grew angry because of it.  Soon the entire situation spiraled out of control, leaving this person feeling betrayed, hurt and confused.  Why? 
 
I’ll tell you why-When you give with hidden motives/intentions  you are not being a cheerful giver. 2Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. If you’ll look in Acts 20:35 it tells us
that In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and
remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to
receive.’”


   You can’t worry about what the intentions are of the other person, but what’s in YOUR
heart.  I see people all the time, who will approach me asking for whatever their need is at the moment-If I have it, I give it OR I’ll offer to share what I have.  I am a giver, however; lately, I’ve been saying NO a lot.  Why?  Because I don’t have  decided in my heart, that I don’t want to give to certain things anymore without first asking for permission. Why? sometimes we move without asking God for  wisdom/clarity on what we should do.  I’ve been giving out of context, and each time-I’m left feeling empty and/or bamboozled.  Not a good  feeling.  It’s even worse, when you’re doing something that God hasn’t instructed you to  do.

  I am blessed daily, and I try to be a blessing to others-whether it’s giving an encouraging word, buying breakfast for someone, or just being kind.  There’s nothing written saying you have to bless someone financially-but it is written in Proverbs 19:17 “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed”.


 
  We are human, and we tend to forget these little trinkets from time to time.  BUT, we have to remember that we don't give to one another, hoping that we get it back. We give because we are cheerful.

 ***This is the Day the LORD has made! I will rejoice and be GLAD in
It!***

  
All aspects of my life are abundant and joyful.

All my happy thoughts are in a book which serves to lift my spirits whenever needed.

Although I am working hard on my goals, I am always having fun.

As I think positive, happy thoughts, my life lightens and brightens.

Being happy is one of the top priorities in my life, and I practice this feeling
each day.

Being joyful makes it easier for me to realize my dream.

Bliss comes when I am optimistic.

By allowing myself to be happy, I make others in my life
happy too.

Cheerfulness is a habit that I nurture throughout my day.

 Cheerfulness is my natural state.

Each moment of every day I am becoming happier and happier..

Every atom of my being is resonating with joy and happiness.

Every day brings me great joy.

Every day I am having more and more fun.

Every day I discover new things that bring me
joy.

Every day my happiness expands.

Every day of my life is sunshine and roses.

Every day, I welcome more fun into my life.

 Everything feels so right in my life that I can't stop smiling. 

Everything I see makes me smile.

I activate my brains feel-good chemicals by smiling often.

I adorn each day with laughter and cheer.

I allow myself to totally enjoy every moment of my day.

I always follow my bliss.

I always look for ways to bring more laughter and joy into my
life.



 ***Dream it, Believe it, Live it!  Being confident of this, that HE who began a good work in YOU will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus!***