Paying It Forward!

In Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth he stated. . .
"(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and GOD of all comfort, (4) WHO COMFORTS US in all our affliction, so THAT WE MAY be able to COMFORT those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." ( 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV)

The New Living Translation reads: "(4) He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." [NLT, © 1997, Wheaton, Ill., Tyndale House]

Because WE HAVE BEEN comforted, WE CAN comfort. Though we may comfort others in sorrow -- offering them support and encouragement during a time of loss or great trial -- we also bring comfort to the lives of others by fulfilling their needs. Therefore, as WE HAVE BEEN blessed, WE IN TURN CAN bless others.

We cannot repay God for what He has given to us. Whether it be physical or spiritual blessings, there is nothing we can do to deserve them or repay God for having granted them. God, in fact, does not have a need of anything because all belongs to Him anyway. ( Psalm 50:10-12) However, others are hungry and in need of shelter. It is those individuals WE CAN help, glorifying God in the process. As we seek to live faithful to Him and His Will, we ought to live a life of "thanksliving" to Him. Part of that "thanksliving" is through being willing to "pay it forward" by acknowledging the NEEDS OF OTHERS (as God has acknowledged ours) and DO WHAT WE CAN to help.

I have thanked God for the opportunity to serve this week as the cold weather came in so suddenly. It has been a reminder of how blessed I am while others are not so fortunate. Since our local seasonal winter shelter with which I am involved was not scheduled to open until this coming Sunday, there were still people who needed to get out of the cold. It was wonderful to see things begin to fall in place this past Monday as the police department made a meeting room available and people began to volunteer to monitor during the night and bring in food. I was privileged to serve alongside another man from our community as a monitor through the night Tuesday. Things were covered again Wednesday night, and I (as of this writing) will be joined by another to monitor Thursday night. Thursday morning I dropped a small plug-in cooler by with some milk and juice and thus to also provide a place to keep the sandwiches fresh in the room being used by our guests.

I'm not expecting anything in return. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to help for I HAVE BEEN richly blessed. The "thank you" from those for whom we have helped provide some shelter is enough. The physical need of the moment is being met. And hopefully some more focus is turned upward in thanksgiving to God for that is the purpose of our "thanksliving". ( Matthew 5:16) May God -- the Gracious Giver and Sustainer of life -- be praised!

Have a great day GRATEFUL TO SERVE!
Carl

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