September 21
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“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NIV)

Lending an ear, extending a hand, or offering your heart in sympathy to someone in need fulfills the law of Christ. Carrying someone else’s burden seems easy enough, but as they say: “If it were easy, everyone would do it.”

We are tempted to by-pass others in need for the same reasons that those who know not Jesus by-pass persons in need: Helping others takes time.  Bearing the burden of others requires us to be personally engaged.  For these, and related reasons, we decline to help.

The law of Christ is simply stated but broad in its application. Welcome every opportunity to be the friend to others that you would like others to be to you.  – Luther

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September 19
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“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'” (Genesis 12:1, NIV)

This recollection of God’s first encounter with Abram (later called Abraham, the father of the faithful) reminds us that we must first go in obedience to God before God will show us the promise.

Most of us prefer it the other way round, as if to say to God: “Show me and I will go”; while God is saying to us, “Go and I will show you.”

It may be a strange thing to our family, friends, and neighbors to see us commit to something without being able to describe the end-state or the desired outcomes; but obedience ahead of evidence is how God dealt with Abram — and it is how God deals with us.

Whenever God’s spirit moves you to move — move!  God will be with you every step of the way and, in time, you will see the promise.  – Luther

REMINDER: Daily Encouragement will be on break Sunday (tomorrow).  Have a great day in worship and rest.  Lord willing, see you again on Monday!

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September 18
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“Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.” (Proverbs 3: 9-10, The Message)

Do we honor God with everything we own: Our time, our talents, our treasure; the power at our disposal by virtue of our position in life and its prerogatives?

If not, we are operating at a level far below both our potential for blessing the lives of others; and we have restricted the “return” from God to our own lives.

You are what your are; and you have what you have.  Begin to give God the first fresh hour of your day, rather than the left-over minutes at its end.  Give God a tithe of thanksgiving from the dollars at the beginning, rather than the pennies that remain after everyone else has taken their due.

These small, but significant, steps lead to a life of usefulness, abundance, and joyful surprise.  – Luther

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