Go and Bless!

Bless Everyone.Daily.

When I was pregnant with our fourth baby, I registered for letters to use in his nursery. I thought putting the word BLESSED on the wall would be a good reminder of how wonderful our Lord is as I rocked the baby to sleep.

Or when he cried all night.

Or when I was sleep-deprived and feeling more grouchy than blessed.

On the Registry, the letters appeared alphabetically. Anyone viewing our Registry had to play a kind-of Scrabble game to figure out what we trying to spell.

My sweet mother-in-law checked the registry on-line and emailed me. “Did you know that you registered for ‘Bless Ed’? Aren’t you naming the baby NATE?”

Poor Marcilee.  For months we teased her about her mistake. To explain the joke to my seven-year-old, we even repositioned the letters in Nate’s nursery to look like this:

Even today, the words BLESS ED hang on Nate’s bedroom wall.

During the past couple months, as I’ve written this Bible study, I’ve thought about the word BLESSED, and I’ve thought about that sign. The nursery letters BLESS ED are an excellent reminder.

Not only is our family BLESSED, but we should Bless EveryoneDaily.

Bless ED.

Impossible. I know.

Today we’re looking at the Proverbs 31 woman. If you’ve read the Bible’s description of the Perfect Wife, you know what a commitment it is to imitate her. Just like trying to Bless EveryoneDaily, emulating the Proverbs 31 woman can seem impossible.

But let’s look closer at her and see that yes, she can inspire generosity in all of us.

Everyday.

The Perfect Wife

You know how you feel about your house after reading a Martha Stewart article? You know how you feel about your thighs after you see a photo spread of celebrities at the beach?

Inept? Lazy? Yep. I do.

Reading about the Proverbs 31 Woman might also make you feel incompetent. She is the Virtuous Woman. The Perfect Wife. Check her out. Go ahead, read the whole thing:

A wife of noble character who can find?

   She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

   and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

   all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

   and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

   bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night;

   she provides food for her family

   and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it;

   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

   her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

   and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

   and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;

   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

   and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

   she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

   and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

   her husband also, and he praises her:

 “Many women do noble things,

   but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done,

   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 

If you feel inferior to the Perfect Wife, you’re in good company. This woman is not only hard-working, clever, wise, and generous, but her well-dressed kids adore her.

And she doesn’t seem to sleep.

Trying to live like the Proverbs 31 woman is like trying to Bless Everyone.Daily. You can try, but you’ll probably feel defeated pretty fast. Better to stick with a small goal. Better to not challenge yourself too much.

Right?

Wrong.

It’s not the Proverbs 31 woman who’s amazing—it’s her God! She loves and trusts the Lord. She gets her strength from Him. The description isn’t of her, it’s of what HE can do.

The Lord, who provided for every need the Proverbs 31 woman had, wants to provide for you too. He wants you to rest in Him. He wants you to trust Him. He wants you to seek Him through His Word and through prayer.

Open Arms

The Proverbs 31 Woman does it…she blesses everyone.daily.

This woman lives and works for others. This noble wife has learned the lesson that Life if Not About Me. Instead, she’s a servant. She trusts that God will provide, and, in turn, she gives.

She is the perfect example of a generous woman…a woman fulfilled by living for others.

Blessing! Everyone! Daily!

Go, my friends.

Go and bless your FAMILY by listening and caring and forgiving and praying for them. Live as a Christian example for them and let them see God’s generosity through you.

Go and bless your NEIGHBORS by sharing the gospel with them, taking care of their kids and cooking them meals, calling them when they’re lonely and forgiving them when they don’t call you.

Go and bless your COMMUNITY by providing for those who can’t provide for themselves and by showing the love of Jesus through your lifestyle and your passion for Him.

Go and bless by the WORLD by living your life as a redeemed daughter of a powerful and compassionate King.

Go, Sister in Christ! Be blessed, and be a blessing!

A Special Request

This week’s lesson is the last Blessed + Blessing study.

THANK YOU for participating. I have really enjoyed writing these Bible Studies for the past ten weeks.

This online format was an experiment for me. I passionately believe that women need to be in the Word of God every week…and more than just on Sunday mornings. It’s what God intended for us. His Word is rich with holy love and instruction.

My hope was that Blessed + Blessing would give women everywhere a chance to study serving, in a convenient format, delivered to their email in-boxes. I also hoped that women could connect through the Comments Section with their own stories.

So, could you bless me by doing one thing? Send me an email (or leave in the Comments) what you thought about this format and the Blessed + Blessing study. Did you read most of them? Did you like having them delivered to your email? Would you be interested in another study in this format? Did you find the studies to be too long or short or just right? What would you have liked more or less of?

Thank You!

Prayer

Lord, thank You for blessing me with more than I could ever imagine. Thank You for Your Word, full of love and instruction for me. Help me to live like You want me to, Lord. Help me to bless the world with a serving attitude of generosity. In the Redeeming Love of Your Son. Amen.

Challenges

This is it, your charge is to Bless EveryoneDaily. During Holy Week, think about the sacrifice that Jesus made to serve you. How can you show His love to your family, your neighborhood, your community, and the world? How can you thank Him for your blessings and share your talents, treasures, and time with others?

Compassion + Action

The Needy in Your Life

Close your eyes and picture someone you know who needs help.

See her face. Really think about what he needs.

Have you done anything to help this person?

Now, a tougher question.

If you haven’t, why not?

Maybe it hasn’t been a priority. Maybe you’re not sure how. Or, if you really honest, you could admit that you’ve been too scared, or too intimidated, or too busy to help.
.

Now, will you picture something else? Can you imagine a time that someone provided exactly what you needed, exactly when you needed it?

Leave your story in the Comments or just remember that situation. Really think about it right now. Relish it. Remember what a blessing that was? A compassionate person saw your need and filled it. Compassion + Action.

This week we’re talking about the Shunammite Woman.  It’s too bad we don’t know her name because she is such a fantastic example of seeing the ‘needy’ around her and providing for them.

But that’s not all. God blessed her in the most miraculous ways.

I know you’ll love her story

Empty Offers

“Let me know if you need anything.”

Have you been guilty of saying these words to someone? Maybe even someone who’s going through the hardest time of her life?

I have been.

There stood my friend, eyeball-deep in grief and NEED, and I gave her one of the emptiest offers there is.

As if we were reciting a script, she responded with, “No, I think we’re good!”

She wasn’t good. Her emotions were roller coasting and she was scared to death. She needed a hug, she needed prayers. She needed someone to watch her kids and bring her a hot meal.

I gave her a lame, hollow offer.

When our family weathered through life’s crises, there was nothing like Christian friends who saw the holes in our lives and quietly fill them.

Let’s read 2 Kings 4:8-10 about the Shunammite Woman, who was one of the original hole-fillers:

One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a rich woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.  She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God.  Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”

Don’t you love this woman already? Instead of seeing Elisha was hungry and calling to him, “Let me know if you need anything!” she made him a meal. Instead of saying, “I wonder why that nice prophet doesn’t find a place to stay when he travels?” she remodeled her house for him. She was compassionate enough to see his need …and faithful enough to do something and bless him.

But wait, there’s more! Elisha appreciated her compassion + action so much, he blessed her right back in 2 Kings 4:11-17.

One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.” So he called her, and she stood before him. Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’”

She replied, “I have a home among my own people.”

“What can be done for her?” Elisha asked his servant.

Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.”

Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.”

“No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!”

But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

This selfless woman insisted she didn’t need anything. She said, “I have a home among my people.” In other words, “No, I think I’m good!”

But Elijah didn’t respond with, “Okay! Let me know if you need anything!”

Inspired by her compassion, he was also compassionate. He knew there was something she needed. And, sure enough, there was.

A son! This wealthy, kind, do-gooder was childless!

Elisha was a prophet, who did the Lord’s work. When he said she’d have a son, it would happen. Sure enough, a year later, the Shunammite woman held in her arms the blessing she had wanted for a lifetime.

The rest of this amazing woman’s story is in 2 Kings 4: 18-37. Her son died from a head injury. The faithful Shunammite Woman didn’t waste any time—she rushed her son right to Elisha, who was now at Mount Carmel, because she was confident that God would raise him from the dead.

And He did! Our God, who is compassionate and powerful, restored the boy back to life. What a blessing! What a miracle!

What an incredible, divine example of compassion + action!

Compassion + Action (+ You)

What’s your take-away from this woman’s story? If she could talk to you, what lesson would she want you to have?

More importantly, what does God want you to know? Why did He include this story in Scripture? What message does He have for you, His daughter?

Maybe…

Show more compassion. Instead of judging those in need, see them like I do. I want you to bless them in My name…

Show more action. I’ve put all these people, with all these needs, into your life. How are you helping them? I’ve given you the tools, bless them in My name.

Show more faith. The Shunammite woman trusted that I am a compassionate and powerful God. I want to take care of you, My daughter.

It’s your turn. Trust God. Show compassion + action. With the Holy Spirit, you can bless the world in the Name of your Heavenly Father.

Challenges

Don’t you love how excited the Shunammite Woman was to bless Elisha? She was so enthusiastic to build his room, she was decorating it before the builders moved the first stone. What are you enthusiastic about? Cooking? Throwing a party? Taking care of kids? How could you put the talents God gave you to use this week to bless someone else?

Remember the needy person you closed your eyes and imagined? Pray for the Holy Spirit to change your heart so you can show him/her more compassion. Or pray for the Holy Spirit to inspire you to do an act of service for him/her, even if it’s just praying for a miracle in his/her life.

Prayer

Lord, I’m listening, who needs me to bless them in Your Name? Inspire me to be compassionate. Lord, forgive me when I’m too judgmental. Forgive me when I don’t do anything or I’m too busy to bless others. Motivate me to bless the needy people in my life. Bless me with unwavering faith in You and in Your blessings and in Your miracles. In Your Son’s Redeeming Name. Amen.

Further Reading

During His ministry, Jesus showed compassion when he healed and forgave. Read Luke 7:11-16 for the story of Jesus healing the Widow of Nain’s son. Verse 13, says “His gut moved,” (He showed great compassion). Discuss what this story means for you, a woman who worships a God that is this powerfully compassionate.

Read 1 John 3:17-18, one of the great Compassion verses of the Bible. What does John’s encouragement mean to you personally? How could you live out his words, as an example of Christian compassion + action?

The Bravest You

Guts…

Who is the bravest woman you know?

When I look at the women in my life (you), I’m stunned by your bravery.

Really, I’m just in awe at how courageous you are.

I have a brave friend who is desperately working to save her dying marriage—in spite of her husband’s affair.

A dear friend who has sent her fiancé off to war.

Another sweet friend who conquered an eating disorder.

A loyal friend who has followed her dreams to write books …in spite of temperamental editors and contract cancellations.

A faithful friend who has buried her mother, father, and husband.

My sister-in-law who has faced cancer and won.

My courageous friend who has persevered through the toughest life has to offer, in spite of her ex-husband abandoning her in the middle of it.

My friends who continue to smile, even though they miss their deceased moms or dads or kids.

Not to mention my friends who bravely dedicate their careers to caring for the lost and forgotten; family members silently suffering through health crises; brave women who support friends enduring horrific tragedies; and women who try, every single day, to do the right thing, even when that thing is really hard.

Today we’ll talk about Abigail, one of the bravest women in the Bible.

Guts and Glory (to God)

Have you, like these brave women, also been really scared? Have you ever gotten down on your knees and asked God why He’s given you more than you can handle? Have you, while you’re down on your knees, also cried out to God that you can’t handle this on your own? Have you admitted that to be brave, you need God? That, without God, you really CAN’T do the right thing?

I have.

In the first chapter of Joshua, God commands him several times to be brave. Finally, God says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

There it is. A promise from the Lord who created you, who loves you, who wants to hold you close and wants to see you soar. THAT God is with you wherever you go. You can be brave. You can honor Him.

Abigail believed that. Because of her faith, she stood up to her horrible husband. And to the King of Israel. And to the King of Israel’s army.

The Blessing of Hospitality

Abigail’s story stretches through much of 1 and 2 Samuel. She was married to a selfish man named Nabal. Her husband was so greedy that he refused hospitality to King David and his traveling army. You didn’t do that in Abigail’s time. First, hospitality was very important in the Jewish culture. Second, King David was famous—having him and his men stay at your house was an honor. Third, King David was fighting for Israel, the patriotic and God-loving response was to help the army.

But not Nabal.

When Abigail heard about her husband’s selfishness, she did an incredibly brave thing. She completely took responsibility for her family and blessed David with hospitality.

Read 1 Samuel 25: 18-22.

Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys.  Then she told her servants, “Go on ahead; I’ll follow you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her, and she met them.”

Abigail trusted in the Lord, and she was brave. She eagerly blessed King David and his army with her wealth and hospitality.

Read David’s response in 1 Samuel 25:32-35.

David said to Abigail, ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today! Blessed be your good sense, and blessed be you, who have kept me today from bloodguilt and from avenging myself by my own hand! For as surely as the Lord the God of Israel lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there would not have been left to Nabal so much as one male.’ Then David received from her hand what she had brought him; he said to her, ‘Go up to your house in peace; see, I have heeded your voice, and I have granted your petition.’

Brave You, Faithful You

How are you wealthy? Is it in your friendships? Or your money? Or your job? Do you believe that God has blessed you with this wealth? Do you believe that God wants you to share your wealth by blessing others? Are you brave enough to bless others?

Read Matthew 25:35-40.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Brave friends, God’s command is clear. With our faith firmly in Him, He wants us to share ourselves with the world. He wants us to bless the world with faith, with enthusiasm, and with courage.

Challenges

For lots of us (myself included), we’re cowards when it comes to sharing our faith. Even though we trust in God, we chicken out when He gives us opportunities to share our testimonies with someone else. Is there someone you know really needs to hear God’s Word? Could you share it with him or her this week?

Abigail valued hospitality, in the name of God. Inviting someone into your home is one of the most basic ways to bless them. Preparing a meal for them, anticipating their needs, and welcoming them humbles you and blesses them. Go ahead. Who can you bless this week with your hospitality?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for my courage, and for my faith. Thank You for inspiring me every day to act in Your name. Thank You for the opportunities You give me to help others in Your name. Motivate me to stand up for the right thing—and to stand up for You. Remind me that You’ll comfort and love me forever. In Your Son’s Redeeming Name. Amen.

Further Reading

The Bible is filled with heroes of faith. Certainly Hebrews 11 lists several. But what about brave women, who trusted God? Sarah’s faith led her from home to the middle of nowhere. Mary, the mother of Jesus, relied on God even in the scariest circumstances. Read her Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55. What attributes of God does she list? How does her faithfulness make her brave?

God’s laws for hospitality were very clear. Abigail honored these laws of hospitality, and by doing this, she honored God. Read God’s command in 1 Peter 4:7-9. How do you practice these today in your home? In your community? In your church?

Read the entire chapter of Hebrews 13. What do you think about these instructions for Christian living? Which ones strike you as especially important in your community right now? What do you think about the instruction in Hebrews 13:2?

Come, (Living) Lord Jesus

Super Rich?

Have you heard about the University of Chicago Professor who complained on his blog that making $250,000 a year doesn’t “feel” rich? His point was that, even at that income level, there’s no extra money. The professor even shared his family’s monthly budget, revealing that most of their income was spent on a gardener, housekeeper, nanny, and private school. He lamented there wasn’t much money left over for “luxuries.”

The blogosphere erupted. Most criticized the professor for his tone-deaf self-pity party, but a few sympathized with him.

More than one analyst pointed out that the problem isn’t how much money you make, the problem is how much you spend.

Actually, the problem is with us. Human nature means that no matter what we have, we want more. When this professor first hired his gardener, he was probably relieved to not mow the lawn that weekend. When he first hired his housekeeper, he was glad he didn’t have to clean the toilets. But after a while, his family expected those luxuries—and then they were no longer luxuries.

More and More and More

We’ve all experienced the “luxuries no longer luxuries” problem. Ever gotten a pay raise that thrilled you, only to start complaining about your tight budget a few months later? This “American Dream” quandary is as familiar to us as our own heartbeats. We want more, more, more.

This week we’ll learn from two sisters, Mary and Martha. Even though they lived more than two thousand years ago, both Mary and Martha were blessed and a blessing. Each woman wanted more and more and more. Martha wanted more help and more support.

Mary wanted more Jesus.

Let’s discuss.

The Servant and The Served

Mary and Martha were good friends of Jesus, who had probably had Him over for dinner before. At this point in His ministry, Jesus had a crowd travelling with Him, too. Good hospitality was utmost importance in Mary and Martha’s world. And, of course, preparing a meal for dozens of people took lots of work.

Read Luke 10:38-42:

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I hear you, Martha. Yes, of course it would be wonderful if we could all sit and chat all day, especially if someone is making a delicious meal while we lounged around. But the reality is, this side of heaven, someone’s got to cook and clean.

Doesn’t Martha look pretty justified in her irritation? Maybe she doesn’t want more, more, more. Maybe she’s just pragmatic about the hungry crowd waiting to eat.

The Heart of the Matter

The heart of the matter is, of course, Mary and Martha’s hearts.

Look again at what Jesus says to Martha:

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Here it is, ladies. Jesus clarifies the difference between these two servants by pointing out that Martha’s heart is worried, while Mary’s is content.

Martha gives into the pressure. She’s convinced she needs more than what

she has. She’d be content if she only had more help.

And then there’s Mary, resting in the Lord. Mary is content to hear His Word. Mary is satisfied by His love, by His message.

Inspired by Jesus’ message to serve others, Mary will serve in a magnificent way. She’ll share the living Lord’s everlasting love with the world.

Come, Lord Jesus

Raise your hand (or comment) if you say this prayer before meals:

Come, Lord Jesus,

Be our guest,

And let these gifts to us be blest. Amen.

Every day, maybe several times a day, we invite Jesus into our home to “be our guest.”

Inviting Him in to witness us working for more, more, more? Be our guest to see us busying ourselves with the pressures of this world?

Or, are you really asking Jesus to come and be part of your family? With Jesus as part of your family, you would sit and listen to His Word. You would be content with the blessings He shares with you. You would hear His message of Christian service and trust Him to help you bless others.

A Servant’s Heart

You don’t have to be a Christian to be a terrific servant. The world is filled with people who bless their communities for thousands of reasons besides serving God.

But when we bless others in the name of God, with His Word, we share real hope with them. We offer them the chance to meet the Living Lord, who provides for all of their needs.

Rooted in God’s Word, you can share the Gospel with others.

Challenges

Martha was worried her sister was taking advantage of her. Does this same worry stop you from blessing others? Ask God to completely take away your fear of being a doormat. Now go ahead and do something for someone you know needs it. Share the Gospel of the Living Lord. He will provide for every single one of your needs!

Take a closer look at one area of your life that you’re striving for more, more, more. During Lent, Christians often make a sacrifice to make more room for Jesus in their lives. Could you do that for the next month? Instead of pushing yourself to get more, rest in God’s Word. Pray and listen to Him. Bless the world with your Spirit-filled heart.

How about showing your faith that you believe in the Living Lord? Commit to blessing someone else on a regular basis. Maybe offer to babysit every single month for the next year. Try pledging a regular donation to a group or family that needs it. Promise someone you’ll cook for them every week. Call up a lonely family member every morning. Don’t worry about overcommitting, our Living Lord will bless you so you can bless others!

Prayer

Lord, You bless me every single day with exactly what I need. Forgive me when I don’t trust that You will provide for me. Forgive me when I worry about all the wrong things. Give me Your Holy Spirit, Lord. Bless me with Your Word so that I can bless the world in Your Name. Amen.

Further Reading

Read Luke 11:1-13. Right after the story of Mary and Martha, Luke presents Jesus’ teaching on prayer, including The Lord’s Prayer. In verse 3, Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily bread. In verses 9-13, Jesus teaches that our Father wants us to seek Him daily. Talk about how your daily prayer life keeps you constantly seeking Jesus.

Read Matthew 6:25-34. When teaching us not to worry, Jesus points to the birds as an example of carefree living. He emphasizes that our Father blesses us constantly. So, what do we need more, more, more of?

Read John 13:3-17. I love this phenomenal story of our Lord, serving in the most humble way. Imagine the scene that John describes. What do you think about what Jesus says to Peter in verses 6-8? What does this mean for you blessing others this week?

Your Cup Overflows

Choose Your Cup

I saw this t-shirt the other day and had to share it with you. What a good message—definitely one that I need to hear. Often.

It’s a message that God wants us to hear. These are Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:31-32, under the heading “Instructions for Christian Living:”

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.

Paul (and the t-shirt) make the clear point that it’s your choice to be bitter.

It’s also your choice to be cheerful.

I’m sure you’ve met some cheerful givers. And bitter ones.

There are those who second-guess their generosity. They weigh the pros and cons of serving someone. They stall and worry about giving until they have sucked all the joy out of it. They give begrudgingly. I know because I’ve been that kind of a giver.

But then there are the cheerful givers, those people who aren’t drinking the poison of greediness and self-doubt. Instead, they see that their cup of blessings overflows. They bless others lavishly, extravagantly, and generously—and have a lot of fun doing it.

This week, we meet Hannah. She blessed the world with the one thing she loved most, her son, Samuel.

And she was cheerful about it.

Let’s dig in.

Bitter Roots

Hannah had lots of reasons to be bitter.

First and foremost, she was infertile. Infertility in the 21st century is difficult; infertility in 1080 BC was considered a curse from God. It meant that her husband could take another wife, which he did. The second wife, Penninah, was not only able to have kids, but she was really mean. She “mocked, taunted and teased” Hannah that she was barren.

I Samuel 1:1-11 tells us that Hannah was so depressed she couldn’t eat. But she didn’t drink the poison of bitterness for long.

Instead, she trusted God that He would provide. She promised that if He would give her a son, she would dedicate him to serve in the Tabernacle.

God blessed Hannah and gave her a son, Samuel. Hannah was exuberant and a doting mother (1 Samuel 1:20-28). Finally, she had her precious child, whom she had wanted more than anything else in the world.

Could she really turn him over to the Lord?

Could she really be cheerful about it?

The Cheerful Giver

To be cheerful about giving away the one thing you always wanted?

That would take a miracle, straight from God.

After all, Hannah deserved this child. She needed this baby. Wouldn’t it be reckless for her to give him to God? What if she never had another child? Who would take care of her when her husband died?

But Hannah refused the cup of bitterness. She refused to worry. She refused to envy Penninah or whine to her husband.

Instead, Hannah, the cheerful giver, does exactly what she said she would do.

She takes Samuel to the Tabernacle and leaves him to serve God.

Hannah said, “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1:27-28)

            But wait! There’s more. Not only did Hannah bless the world with her son, she was so excited she couldn’t help but sing.

Listen to her spontaneous praise song in 1 Samuel 2:2-10:

 “My heart rejoices in the LORD;

in the LORD my horn[a] is lifted high.

My mouth boasts over my enemies,

for I delight in your deliverance.

“There is no one holy like the LORD;

there is no one besides you;

there is no Rock like our God.

 The Rock

There is no rock like our God. Do you rejoice in that?

A lot of times, I don’t. A lot of times, I choose bitterness.

What about you? Are you an expert at listing your problems instead of your blessings? Can you find more excuses to not bless others than ways that you could? Are you afraid that God will stop taking care you? Deep down, do you believe that there’s a limit to His love…so there should be a limit to yours?

David’s prayer in Psalm 23 is a wonderful image of God’s unending love for us. You know this one, but here’s some of his powerful imagery from verses 5 and 6:

Lord, You prepare a table before me

   in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

   my cup overflows.

 Surely your goodness and love will follow me

   all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

   forever.

Your cup overflows. God has filled it right up with people who love you, with all the things you need to sustain your body, with talents, and with millions of other blessings.

But most importantly, God is good. His mercy will follow you for the rest of the days of your life.

Hannah’s story ends happily too. God was so good to Hannah, and blessed her with more kids after Samuel. And Samuel was so blessed by becoming one of God’s most useful servants.

Your story will also end happily, because God won’t stop blessing you.

It’s okay. Go ahead. Be a cheerful giver and drink deeply from His cup of overflowing blessings.

Challenges

Have some fun. Create something you love to do, and do it for someone else. Make your favorite recipe. Take pictures of a friend’s kids for her. Paint a picture. Write a letter. Enjoy the process of creating as much as you savor blessing someone else.

How are you blessed? Count the ways. Try keeping a blessing journal this week. At the end of the day, write down five ways that God provided for you. Call it My Overflowing Cup. Pray for God to keep your eyes focused on Him as your Provider instead of the bitterness of your world.

God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Hannah was cheerful because her eyes were focused on God, her Rock, not on the bitter things happening around her. Identify something that makes you bitter. Ask the Lord to take that cup from you. Ask the Holy Spirit to focus your eyes on God, your Rock.

Prayer

Lord, forgive me when I chose bitterness. I know that you give me everything that I need and want. Help me to trust that you are my Rock and will always take care of me. Inspire me to serve other people and to do it happily. In Your Son’s Name. Amen.

Further Reading

Read Romans 8:5-8. Paul tells believers that when we live in “the flesh” our minds are filled with “things of the flesh.” But the Holy Spirit lives in us, our minds are filled with “things of the Spirit.” Talk about this in your own life. When do you choose bitterness? How do you live in the Spirit?

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. What does it mean to sow generously? When have you seen this in action? When have you seen a cheerful giver in action?

Read Hannah’s entire praise song in 1 Samuel 2:1-11. What’s the focus of her praise? How does it compare to Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55?

Happy One-Month Anniversary!

We’re halfway through this journey together. I hope these messages have blessed you. This has been one of my favorite studies to write.

I would love to know how you’re doing with the study. Post in the comments or send me an email.

Also, I’ve been praying for you, the women doing this study. If you have anything specific on your heart, I can pray for that too.

On Monday we’ll look at Hannah.

See you then.

Tina

Two Widows (& Our Control Issues)

The Parable of Mardi Gras

Last weekend our family went to Galveston’s Mardi Gras, where our four kids caught hundreds and hundreds of beads. By the end of the weekend, their little necks were sore from their abundance of plastic beads.

You’d think they would be awed by their fortune, exuberant that the strangers on these floats had shared such riches.

Nope.

The more beads the kids caught, the more they wanted. They didn’t only want more beads, they argued with each other over them. The beads seemed infinite, yet each kid was worried about having enough.

Maybe there’s the lesson here about why not to take your kids to Mardi Gras.

The lesson I thought of was the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35). It’s a story in which Jesus taught His disciples to forgive.

And it teaches us to bless the world.

The Unforgiving Servant

Here’s a review of the parable….

A servant couldn’t pay his debt of ten thousand talents—a lot of money. This was serious enough of a debt that the king commanded the servant and his family be sold into slavery. But the servant begged for more time, and the king released him.

Instead of learning from the king’s compassion, the servant found someone who owed him a whole lot less money, a hundred denarii, grabbed him by the throat and demanded it. The other servant begged for more time, but the unforgiving servant threw him into prison.

When the king heard about this, he was furious. “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?”

Do you see a bit of yourself in that servant who didn’t understand generosity? Instead of celebrating the king’s blessing by helping someone else, the servant was worried about his money. We’ve all been like this—like a kid at Mardi Gras who can’t enjoy her endless supply of beads because she’s worried who might take them from her.

Like a woman who can’t bless her community because she’s worried that her loving God who created and redeemed her might stop blessing her.

Control Freak(s)

For me, this is a control issue. Totally.

My sinful mind imagines something like this: I’m responsible for a busy family, and I can’t risk letting my control slip one bit. You’re sick and need someone to watch your kids? Or a hot dinner? Or some of my time? Or my heart to listen to you?

What about me? If I’m cooking and caring for YOU, who’s taking care of my family? I need tight control on my own situation. It’s so scary to give any of that up and trust…God.

Jesus’ point was that WE are not in control of who deserves forgiveness or blessings or denarii (or Mardi Gras beads).  What a relief! God doesn’t base His blessings on who deserves what. The blessings in our lives are only because of His grace.

Let’s start blessing others like we believe that.

Widows and Control Issues

Think the unforgiving servant had a tough situation? In I Kings 17:8-16, we meet the Widow from Zeraphath. She was so poor she was starving to death. Here’s her story:

Elijah came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?”  As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

              “As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.’” She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

After this, Elijah blesses the widow by raising her son from the dead. The lesson for all us control freaks is so clear. God will provide everything we need. Not in the exact way we’re planning, but even more lavishly.

Another Really Poor Widow

In Mark 12:41-44, we see another widow:

 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

             Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Can you believe how much this widow had to lose? When you read about her, does your inner control freak cringe a little for the widow’s reckless giving? Mine does.

But I’m also in awe. This is what total dependence on God looks like. Did she have enough money to give away? It sure didn’t look like it. But she trusted God would bless her.

God blesses each of us in ways we never can imagine. With more oil and flour for another day. With money that we don’t expect. With friends we didn’t plan. With a Savior we don’t deserve.

And what will you do with these blessings God has given you? Worry they’ll run out? Cling tightly to your few measly denarii?

Or live a life completely dependant on God’s grace? A life that He promises to He will care for us every single day of your life? A full life, that’s more fun by blessing others?

Challenges

Practice total dependence on God, just for today. Really. Don’t worry about the huge problem that’s always on your mind. You know that God loves you. You know He will bless you in ways you never would have expected. Today really believe that. Enjoy His blessing of peace. Now bless someone else worrying by praying for them.

Try giving up being a control freak. Don’t calculate how blessing someone else might work out. Instead, just do something for someone who you know won’t return the favor. Maybe a birthday gift for an acquaintance. Or a loan to someone who probably won’t pay you back. Or a genuine compliment for a person…even if I’m not sure how she’ll take it.

Prayer

Lord, forgive me when I demand control of my life. You’ve already promised me that You have the best blessings in store for me. Help me to live my life completely dependant on You. Help me bless the world, knowing You will provide for my every need. Thank You, Lord, for Jesus and for the gift of Heaven. Amen.

Further Reading

Read the rest of the Widow from Zarephath’s story in 1 Kings 17:17-24. How does she react when tragedy strikes and her son dies? What’s her reaction when Elijah raises him from the dead? Do you see yourself in this widow’s reactions…faithful when life is good and skeptical when it’s not? Explain.

Read Matthew 7: 7-8. This is God’s promise to you. Talk about at time that you have asked and God’s given you something COMPLETELY unexpected. How did this blessing change your life?

 

If you haven’t commented on Ruth, we’d love to hear from you.

Next week we’re learning from some widows in the Bible.

We’ll look to them to see what total dependence on God looks like.

See you on Monday.

Tina

Blessing Your Inner Circle

An Awkward Story

Back when I was new to Facebook, and friending everyone, the name of a popular girl from my high school appeared in that People You May Know section.

I didn’t really know her, and she sure didn’t know me, but I was curious what she was up to. I friended her, and she accepted my request.

Over the next few months, through the strange Facebook phenomenon of knowing minute details of a might-as-well-be stranger, I learned more about this woman than I had known when we walked the same halls.

One day she posted something like, “Terrible day! Got the divorce papers this morning. And Sandi (dog of 15 years) died this afternoon.” Of course her close friends commented with, “So sorry. Call me.” “I’m sad for you. Love you.” Curious, I clicked on the Comments to see what her friends were saying. Except I accidentally clicked ‘like.’

Right underneath this horrible status was the sentence, “You like this!”

Oh no. Noooooo. What could I do?  Should I message her? Explain the whole awkward thing? But, really, she had enough going on, she didn’t need an awkward email from a stranger.

I ended up just obsessing about it for a couple days. I did a Facebook Fast. I stopped reading her posts and hoped she never noticed that I ‘liked’ her misfortune.

For days I worried about this stranger, a woman who didn’t know or probably care about me. And yet, I used so much energy worrying about her.

But at the same time, there were plenty of people in my own life who would have loved some of my energy. Family members I could’ve checked in on. Friends who had sent me emails  that I hadn’t returned. Neighbors who had stopped by to chat when I was too busy.

I ignored them and worried about a stranger.

Consider this picture.

The small group of people, my inner circle, is the one I influence the most. My inner circle includes my husband and kids, my family and my close friends and neighbors. These are the people who need the most from me. They care the most about me. My actions (and inactions) hurt and bless them the most.

I’m ashamed to admit I’m often the most impatient with my inner circle.  Instead I’m guilty of worrying about those who, really, don’t care much about me. I stall when it comes to forgiving the people who need my forgiveness the most.

Today we’ll meet Ruth, a woman who blessed and blessed and blessed (!) her small circle of influence.

Specifically her mother in law.

Some Serious Blessing

Have you read the Book of Ruth?

If you haven’t, go ahead and do that now. It’s only four chapters and an epic tale of drama, love, faith, and evangelism.

There was only one person left in Ruth’s inner circle: Naomi, her mother-in-law. Ruth’s husband had died. Naomi’s husband (and sons) had died. Ruth’s sister-in-law, Orpah, had gone back to Moab, her idol-worshipping home country.

Not Ruth. Faced with the choice of returning to her pagan homeland, or staying with her faithful mother-in-law, Ruth ‘clung’ to Naomi (Ruth 1:14).

And, wow, this was SUCH a blessing to Naomi.

Because of a terrible famine, Naomi was poor and hungry. And she was old. She couldn’t work to gather food. As a widow, she also couldn’t own property. When Ruth and Naomi travelled back to Bethlehem to start a new life (love this anonymous artist’s vision of them, below), Naomi only had her faith. And Ruth.

Unlike old Naomi, Ruth had options. She was young and pretty and a ‘catch’ (Ruth 3:10). She could work. Really, she had her whole life ahead of her.

Ruth could have sent Naomi on her way with a kiss and a ‘good luck!” like her sister-in-law, Orpah, had done. After all the death and trouble these two women had been through, Ruth deserved a fresh start, right? It was time for her to focus some energy on herself, time for her a new life, time to leave old Naomi behind.

Not our Ruth. Instead of taking care of herself, instead of ignoring this old woman, who had been her tight inner circle for more than a decade, Ruth dedicated herself to helping her former mother-in-law. Ruth’s commitment to God and Naomi (Ruth 1:16-18) is beautiful:

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

Blessing Her Inner Circle

Let’s be clear, these two women had been through some SERIOUS life together. The death of both of their husbands, a famine, near starvation, moving, and now widowhood together. I don’t know about you, but when I’ve lived that closely with someone, I could tell you their faults just as quickly as I can rattle off their strengths.

And, because I’m sinful, those faults get under our skin. When someone becomes too real to me, too familiar, I’m quick to correct them, I’m quick to ignore them, I’m quick to shun them.

And, really, not so quick to bless them.

Not Ruth. She blessed Naomi abundantly.

Ruth chose to marry Boaz, a faithful believer who ‘redeemed’ (bought back) Naomi’s property for her. Ruth also had a baby, who grew up to be grandfather to King David.  Read Ruth 4:14-16:

 The women [in the town] said to Naomi: “Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he [the baby] become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

 Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

What a happy ending. As a believer, Ruth understood that God’s people sacrifice to bless those we love. She knew how much she (and only she) could give Naomi. And she did. Through Ruth’s dedication, she blessed her inner circle (Naomi) with food, property, income, and a new grandbaby!

Challenges

Who’s in your inner circle? Anyone in that circle who is important to you, but that you’ve sort of left behind? Read 1 John 3:15. How could you bless this person with a genuine showing of love?

Someone close to you has blessed you more than you could have ever hoped. Who has been your ‘Ruth’? Could you bless this person with a phone call or heartfelt letter that says exactly how much she means to you?

Isn’t it a strange paradox that we often don’t forgive the people we love the most? Have you noticed it’s easy to forgive someone you’re not close to, but you hold grudges against those closest to you? Who in your inner circle needs your forgiveness? Read Luke 17:3-4. What does God command us to do when someone sins against us?

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the blessings of friends and family. Forgive me when I have trouble loving the people who are closest to me. Help me to love these people the way that You love me. In your Son, Jesus’, name. Amen.

Further Reading

Read 1Timothy 5:8, a letter that Paul writes to young pastor Timothy about how to live as a Christian. We know that Timothy’s mom and grandmother were very important to him. Do modern Christian still live to bless our families today?

Look at the Book of Ruth again. Throughout her story, she has several relationships. How do the believers treat her differently than the non-believers? How are we, as Christians, called to treat the world differently?

Appreciation

I so appreciate all of you who shared your Blessing stories in the Comments. Telling your story gives other readers even more to ponder.

Next week we’re talking about Ruth. I’m guessing many of you will be out of your usual routine on Monday for Presidents Day, so I’ll post Ruth on TUESDAY.

Sound good?

Thanks.

Tina