See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. – Hebrews 3:12-13

 
One of the desires that God has for each one of us it to treat one another in a way that builds each other up – drawing us closer to Him.  Hebrews 3 clarifies this point well.  But as I read this, I am struck with an accompanying thought.  When we are sharing the love of God with others, don’t we also find ourselves gaining love in the process?  God’s love doesn’t simply extend into the receiver – it fills the room and provides a benefit to the giver as well.  You know this full well – there is a comfort and a peace that comes from sharing the Gospel message in word and in action.

 
I’ve begun to learn something in this, and this is a point we can all appreciate.  Putting ourselves into the position of giving love is wonderful, but we must never remain in that place so long that we prevent ourselves from receiving that same love.  There are many reasons why we refuse – humility, pride, a belief that we don’t need a particular blessing, and so on.  These thoughts may sound rather noble, but upon closer inspection we find that refusing blessings, even when we feel we don’t need them, is nothing more than limiting God.  Maybe I truly don’t have a need for a particular item that God is giving me today, but looking forward in the supernatural, I have to realize that this may be a piece that God is providing to prepare me for something coming around the corner.  When we realize that our lives our not ours, but God’s to direct into the places He desires us be, then we put aside the traps and open up to the full manifestation of blessings from above.

 
One of the goals that I have had throughout the time I’ve been writing these posts is to do this very thing – to offer you encouragement through the promises of God.  This isn’t to say that you are in need, or that you struggle with your attitude or perspective – far from it.  I offer these because as God has gifted me with the ability to craft my thoughts and has directed me to write them to you.  And yes, I too receive a blessing from writing them.  God focuses my mind upon His Word as I carefully construct my message.  It is my quiet time and God has blessed me immeasurably by it.  May He do the same for you today in all that you say and do.  I pray that your level of success in every area of your work will increase and that God will provide you with whatever you need to glorify Him more through your excellence, drive, and gifting.