Be Your Best Self With Others
“Your Greatest Test is When You are Able to Bless Someone Else
While Going Through Your Own Storm.”
At My Sun & Shade Ministries, we are committed to helping people find the grace and inspiration they need to live a life that is pleasing to God. Our mission is to lead people to a place of spiritual growth and to help them discover ways to put others first. The Lord is always watching our behavior and responses to people. Psalm 139, tells us that the Lord knows when we lie down and when we get up. He knows our thoughts, and even knows what we are going to say before we speak. If this doesn't put the fear of the Lord in your heart, I'm not sure what will.
Ask the Lord to Help You Be a Blessing to Others
My heart's desire is to please the Lord in all I say and do. This alone causes me to be careful in how I conduct myself with my coworkers, family and friends. I especially need to be mindful of my mannerisms while ministering as a pastor's wife. It would pain me greatly to offend anyone or bring dishonor to the Lord's name. Because of this, I ask the Lord to help me be a blessing to the people I interact with on a daily basis. Starting with my husband, who is the first person I see in the morning. Am I kind to him? The Lord sees this interaction between me and my husband for He is aware of everything I do. So, I choose first thing in the morning to set my heart towards the Lord and obey the 2nd greatest commandment in Scripture, which is to love your neighbor as yourself, and isn't my husband considered my neighbor? Our neighbor is the person living near or next door to us.
Our Greatest Test in Life
Our greatest test is when we can bless someone else in the midst of our busy day, difficult trial, or heart-wrenching pain. Don't let a busy life prevent you from showing someone kindness. We often live for ourselves every day without thinking about those in need. Is it possible that we ignore them on purpose so that we won't be bothered? The Lord opened my eyes to see a whole new perspective on loving others, caring for others, and putting others first. I was recently inspired to collect Bible verses on "the Love of God," and "Loving Others," while writing this blog post, Check it out here: Life is So Short.
One day I was in a hurry because I was putting on a big party that afternoon, and I had to run into the grocery store to pick up the cake I hard ordered for the occasion. The day hadn't gone as I had hoped and I was in a foul mood. After parking my car in the parking lot, I looked up and saw an elderly lady roaming around the parking lot with her grocery cart full of bagged groceries. It was apparent she was lost and couldn't find her car. I watched her for a few seconds and decided I needed to help her. So, I jumped out of my car and walked over to her slowly asking her if she needed help. She was frazzled and told me she was fine. So, I asked her if she was having a hard time finding her car. She said, "Oh, it's here somewhere." I asked her what the make and model was and after about 5 minutes we arrived at her car, which was on the other side of the parking lot.
If I had not stopped myself from hurrying along with my day, I might've missed an opportunity to help this elderly woman. Who knows what would've happened, and who knows what heavenly rewards I would've missed out. But, I didn't miss out on any of it because the Lord is my portion and I realized that in that moment, helping this lady find her car was more important than picking up my cake on time.
Scripture Verses on Loving Others
Philippians 2:4, ESV
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Ephesians 4:32, ESV
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.
John 13:34-35, ESV
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Proverbs 21:13, ESV
Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
Galatians 6:9-10, ESV
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Matthew 25:40, ESV
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.'
1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Galatians 6:2, ESV
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Proverbs 19:17, ESV
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
Colossians 3:12, ESV
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Galatians 6:10, ESV
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Luke 6:31, ESV
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
1 Corinthians 10:24, ESV
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
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From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name should be praised, Psalm 113:3.