Greetings, Dear Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome!
I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.
I'm having a little trouble with the font function on my blog and I apologize for the two font styles and sizes on today's post.
Before I get into my topic, I have some business to take care of. Today I get to announce the winner of the $50.00 VISA gift card and the five recipients of a free copy of my new release, The Uncommon Woman.
Drum roll please...
And the winner of the $50.00 VISA gift card is: Denise! Denise, I don't have your last name but you posted on my blog in August. Please email me at info@susielarson.com to claim your prize. I know your email address so I'll recognize your address when you contact me. :)
And the five winners of free copies of 'The Uncommon Woman' are as follows:
Kelly F
Loree Arington
Anna J
Clair
Michele
Please contact me at: info@susielarson.com to claim your book.
Congratulations one and all!
And one more point of business: As usual, this month I'll award a $10.00 gift card to Caribou Coffee to someone who posts on my blog. We're entering the fall season and for many of us, a warm cup of java soothes the soul. :)
Now, on to my topic.
This morning during my devotional time, I spent some time reading the Gospel of Mark. Quite a number of verses impacted me but for some reason, this one especially jumped out at me:
For truly I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward (Mark 9:41).
A cup of water. A small thing, no?
Well, not really. Not ever.
Has anyone given you a cup of water recently?
I can think of a number of instances for me personally:
- My husband and I volunteered to host the Varsity/JV football(and their friends) safe party at our house. We said we'd do it if someone could help us with the food. My friend Kay cooked sloppy joes for 125 football players and their friends because she's Martha, and I'm not. Amazing.
- One of my mentors asked me to come over for a snack and a time of prayer because during her prayer time, God spoke to her about me and she had some things to share.
- My son Jordan, before he left for school yesterday, prayed that God would heal me.
- A woman I'd never met face-to-face, offered to organize a speaking event and book signing because she believes in the things God has given me to say.
- A friend has volunteered to come to my house and help organize my files (and my closets and my drawers) so I can start out my speaking season fresh and ready.
God cherishes the gift of these precious saints so much that He Himself has written down their deeds in the Book of Remembrance. And though I'll find my own ways to express my gratitude, God considers their gifts important enough that He Himself will also return a blessing.
Their gifts to me are divine and refreshing. And to God, those gifts bring a little of Heaven to earth.
What about you? Has anyone recently blessed you with a cup of water because you belong to Him?
Pause for a moment and consider the idea that those things are sacred and precious to God. Pray for those people and return a blessing to them.
Now let's look at this from another angle.
Proverbs 3:27 says this:
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
Give some things away today.
Give away a smile. Give away your place in line. Offer up a prayer for someone you don't particularly like. Send a card. Write an email. Make a call. Pay for someone's coffee. Forgive a debt. Forgive an offense. Offer mercy instead of judgment.
Because you belong to God, and because it matters to Him that we bless others, give, give, and give some more. Not because it makes you look good, but because it makes Him glad.
Let's take one more angle and then I'll let you go for the day. :)
Read this verse:
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how-much-more will your Father in Heaven, give good gifts to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:11)!
Daily, God pours out His blessings on a waiting and watching world. The problem is, most of us aren't waiting or watching.
Jesus loves to give good gifts - gifts that are specifically designed with you in mind.
The Bible says that He delights in every detail of your life.
Think about that.
Don't be afraid to ask Him for gifts, for intervention, and for a cup of water when you're in a dry and weary land.
Ask, seek, knock. For those who ask, receive; those who seek, find; and those who knock, the door will be opened for them.
Be thankful for the countless ways people come through for you. Notice their deeds and take them to heart, because God certainly does.
Be a blessing and give something away every single day. Your load will be lighter and you'll bless another.
Be sure to ask God for what you need and thank Him for the ways He has come through for you - and for the ways that He will most certainly come through for you.
Aren't good gifts just the best?
Until next week~