20 DAYS IN 2 HOURS CHALLENGE: “BLESSINGS” (Day 18)

SHOWING APPRECIATION FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made
myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
(1 Corinthians 9:19)

MEDITATION:
There are three basic reasons for obedience.
    1. A slave obeys because he has to.
    2. An employee obeys because he needs to.
    3. But a loving son obeys because he wants to.

Too many of us live like servants or slaves,
even though Jesus has said,
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does
not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called
you friends, for everything that I learned from my
Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

What has Jesus made known to us?
Think about the primary reason He came to earth in human form.
He didn’t come to attend worship services
(although He was often in the synagogues).
He didn’t come to heal people (although He healed many).
He didn’t come to cast out demons
(although He did cast them out).

The main reason Jesus walked among men
was to tell everyone the “good news”.
He wanted everyone to know of the Heavenly Father’s love
for them, and His merciful plan of salvation available to all.
He learned this from the Father
and has made it known to all His followers.

The question we should ask ourselves is,
“What am I doing with this knowledge?”
In other words, “What am I doing for the Lord?”

We aren’t talking about those things that are expected
of believers (worship attendance, prayer, giving,
praising the Lord, etc.).
The question is,
“What am I doing outside of those expectations?”

Paul loved the freedom he received as a follower
of Christ and made a conscious decision to use the
gifts God had given him to point others to Christ.

In Paul’s case, God called him to be a traveling missionary.
He took this responsibility seriously and remained
determined in his commitment, in spite of the problems
he faced as a result of his decision.

God has called each believer to a specific area of service,
based on His knowledge of the spiritual gifts, personalities
and capabilities He has given them.
Like Paul, we have a decision to make,
“What will we do with what He has given us?”

ACTION:
How would you respond to the question,
“What are you doing for the Lord that is
above the things expected of believers?”

How often have you gone out of your way to minister to the
needs of someone else (encouragement, listening, helping, etc.)?
There are many people who are hurting a “silent hurt”
and have a need to know that someone cares,
is concerned, and is praying for them.
Have you made yourself a servant of the Lord for reaching others?

Our acts of kindness and concern could open a door of
opportunity for sharing the good news with some person,
or someone who knows that person.
Pause for a moment and think about the things Jesus did, and
the abilities God has given you for participating in His ministry.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the freedom You have
given me as a follower of Christ! Forgive me if I have failed
to do anything with the blessing of salvation You have given
me. Help me to discover ways to interact with others, which
will give me opportunities for sharing the good news of
salvation (as Jesus did). Teach me how to become a person
who looks for the good in others, and one who finds opportunities
to encourage and lift their spirits. Forgive me for the times I
have ignored the needs of others, and make me more sensitive
to those who need encouragement (those who are down, the
brokenhearted, and those who are dedicated to serving You
in the areas You have chosen for them).”

20 Day Challenge – Day 1:
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/07/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-1/

20 Day Challenge – Day 2:
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/08/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-2/

20 Day Challenge – Day 3:
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/09/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-3/

20 Day Challenge – Day 4:
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/10/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-4/

20 Day Challenge – Day 5:
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/11/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-5/

20 Day Challenge – Day 6:
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/12/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-6/

20 Day Challenge – Day 7
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/13/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-7/

20 Day Challenge – Day 8
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/14/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-8/

20 Day Challenge – Day 9
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/15/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-9/

20 Day Challenge – Day 10
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/16/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-10/

20 Day Challenge – Day 11
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/17/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-11/

20 Day Challenge – Day 12
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/18/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-12/

20 Day Challenge – Day 13
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/19/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-13/

20 Day Challenge – Day 14
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/20/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-14/

20 Day Challenge – Day 15
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/21/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-15/

20 Day Challenge – Day 16
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/22/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-16/

20 Day Challenge – Day 17
https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/2021/06/23/20-days-in-2-hours-challenge-blessings-day-17/