BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE

A friend of mine recently had this on their Facebook "We are blessed so that we may be a blessing" and I just keep thinking about it in my mind. It is a funny thing how the Lord will impress something upon your heart and then for the next few days you keep seeing things that relate to that very idea! That has been me... Facebook, church, veggie tales, quiet times...

Most generally people tend to bless people financially... which is a wonderful thing! This is not the only way to bless others. This week of Thanksgiving, as I am reflecting on all that I am thankful for, I am thinking about how I can use the blessings that we have received to bless others! Not everyone can bless someone with monetary gifts, but we can all bless others by using the gifts God has blessed us with! How have you been blessed and how can you use that blessing to bless someone else?

Last week I was reading in James 5:1-5 ...the misuses of "stuff" and we had just watched the veggie tell of Madam Blueberry and all her "stuff". Things we have will not last. It is not in the accumulation of "stuff" that is wrong. It is in the pride we allow to creep in as we take our focus off Jesus and put it on ourselves and the things that we have. This morning in my QT as I read Proverbs, 21:13-22, I was again reminded of the importance of using our "stuff" for eternal purposes and not internal pleasures. V. 20 says that there is precious "treasure" in the dwelling of the wise. This person may have earthly materials but they understand how to use them for the Glory of God. The true value in life does not come from the possession of "stuff" but in the wisdom to handle those possessions wisely. Matt 6:19-20 Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also. Is it time for a heart check?

Three areas that we, the Hartzler's, have been blessed beyond measure is our home, our children and our marriage. God has impressed upon my heart to use these as a blessing to others! Our home, the things we possess should and can be used as a blessing to others. God has blessed us with a beautiful home, and we want to use it to be a blessing to others. What are some ways you can use your home to Bless? We are blessed so that we may be a blessing...

The treasures in my home are my children. WOW! We certainly have been blessed beyond measure in this area :) How can we as a family, ALL 8 of us bless others? We want to teach our children to be a blessing too! What are some ways that even the little children can be a blessing to those around us? What are some ways that a family with young children can serve? Do not let the excuse of "little" ones keep you from being a blessing!

Lastly, a wise man understands how to live within his means and handle his possessions wisely. Corey and I have learned much over the years. Wealth has no lasting value without the wisdom to know how to use it for the glory of God! Many people ask us how we do it, how can we do the things we do, and have the things we have... with such a large family and being in the military. We have been blessed beyond measure by friends who have shared with us Dave Ramsey :) We are debt free, aside from the house, and save what we can... there is not much left over with a large family of 8 :) but when an emergency arises, we are not surprised! We do not have to scramble to find the funds. We have been able to bless others by sharing how we have learned to live a debt free life and how it has changed everything we had ever thought about money. There are many ways to stretch the dollar! Any suggestions?

How have you been blessed? There are so many ways to be a blessing to someone.. Prayer, Hand written notes, play dates, watching a child for an hour for someone, taking a meal to someone, saying hi to a new neighbor.... add to the list! How will you turn your blessing into a blessing for others?