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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Help (02/20/06)
We have often heard the saying “In blessings others you yourself will be blessed.” It’s almost a cliché. However, I have finally begun to learn that it is true. In life we are faced daily with the opportunity to give or to take. I have seen in my own life that even though “taking” results in instant gratification, it is not nearly rewarding as giving.

Once I felt lead to give money to a very good cause that I heard about through a Women’s Conference but I held back because I wanted that money to spend at the mall later that day. I had the gratification of having the money to spend but to this day I will never remember what I spent it on that weekend. However, several years later I felt lead by the Lord to give money to a friend at a time that I really needed the money. I had learned by then that when you feel led by God to do something, you just need to do it before you even have time to reason with yourself about it. I gave this unsaved friend the money and it happened to be the exact amount that she had needed to pay an overdue bill. This gesture spoke so much to her about God’s faithfulness and I will always have the memory of how her life was touched that day. I got to see God working in her life and my passion to see her come to know the Lord was renewed. That, I know, is priceless.

In helping others, we ourselves will be helped tremendously. This principle is clearly presented throughout the Bible. In Philippians 2:4 (NIV) Paul plainly states: “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” This admonishment is not meant to be another burden in our lives – on the contrary it is meant to “free” us from the burden of looking only inward at our circumstances.

God’s kingdom presents us with a chance to chose to “die” to self, but in so doing we become alive again. Daily we have the opportunity to go with the flow of the world or to step out of what seems natural and to follow the “narrow” path that leads to life. For God’s ways always lead to life and life abundant. When we are hurting, we must reach out. When we are tired, we must help someone who is weary. When we are thirsty, we should give someone else a drink. When we are lacking money, we need to bless someone financially. In helping others, we will undoubtedly find the help that we need, for there is true freedom in giving our life away.

Peace and joy are only found when we will focus our effort and energy outside of ourselves. When we choose to sow seeds of helping and serving others, we will undoubtedly reap a harvest of peace, joy, and fulfillment in every area of our lives beyond our wildest expectations. Thanks be to God!
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
03/01/06
Great lesson! You might consider taking your second paragraph and writing it as a story, with dialog and a plot structure...it was a powerful way for you to learn that lesson.
Phyllis Inniss 
03/02/06
What a great lesson you learnt and how well you are using it in your life, even in sharing that knowledge with others. God has richly blessed you.