01/23/2015
A wonderful testimony shared by Marilyn Bradford of Concord Church in Dallas, TX! Something we all should think about!
Relationship Rescuer
Proverbs 3:27-28
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you"
- when you already have it with you.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
What does it mean to show favor toward someone? We show favor when we are willing to bestow kindness, approval, advantage, privilege and help to someone based on an inclination in our hearts. We may not have known them very long, or much about them at all. I have been on the receiving end of favor for much of my life. There have been people in my life who have simply felt inclined to help me move ahead. You see, I did not achieve the college education levels that I desired to enhance my career life. BUT GOD saw fit to bless me through the good favor of others. Good parents, a good husband, good children, good friends, good teachers, good managers, and good jobs with great privileges to travel and make a good living.
With so much good in my life, how could I withhold
good gifts from others when it is in my power to give!
I must share this testimony with you today about a couple that I had the privilege to serve in a ministry here at Concord. This wonderful couple felt so inclined to bless me in obedient faith to God that they returned to my class and gave me a thank you card. I humbly accepted the card with hugs and warm feelings of appreciation. As I sat in the pews waiting for Sunday service to start, I opened my card with a smile, expecting to find encouraging words from my new friends. But lo and behold money started falling out - twenties and hundred dollar bills. My husband and I were astonished at this unexpected, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over blessing of favor, kindness and CASH! My Lord!
Why? Was it to bless me with money because I was so good? No my dear sweet Christian family, it wasn't for the money and I am not that good! It was for the relationship. Sometimes our relationships need rescuing with the gift of new friends, new trust, new beginnings, encouragement, and new hope. God is Good! And He desires to do great things through us and for us. Praise His Holy Name.
Thank you Lord for restoring our faith with Your goodness. Give us the heart to be a Relationship Rescuer like Jesus, willing to help each other by giving good and timely gifts to those in need. Amen.