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Thursday, October 13, 2011

Do What Is Good


Every day you live, you can Make A Difference.  Each day holds new opportunities to do good.  Opportunities which are different for each of us and have specifically been designed for us.  In fact, you and I have appointments today with people whose names we do not yet know. And those appointments will call for us to "do good." You're skeptical, I can tell.  If you don't believe me read this... Ephesians 2:10 says "For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planed for us long ago."

We know our time on this earth is brief.  Scripture declares it and we see evidence everyday that life is short.  It would be such a waste to live that life only for ourselves, especially in the light of Eph 2:10. God has made us His masterpiece.  He specifically designed us to do the "good things" and he planned these "good things" long ago explicitly for us.  WOW!

Another verse - This one's a favorite. Galatians 6:9-10 "So let's not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.  Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone - especially to those in the family of faith." YES! do good to everyone, ESPECIALLY other believers and DON'T EVER STOP doing good.

I believe that all of us want to do good.  But, in a world turned upside down, where evil is declared good and good is deemed offensive, it's difficult to know where to begin.   Do you lack ideas in your personal campaign to do good?  Here are some starters.

Tithe to your church and then give above that.  Find a place to serve within your church and then find a 2nd place to serve.  Go to Bible Study and Worship faithfully, then stay a little longer to encourage others. Too easy?  Scripture does say "especially to those in the family of faith."  We can't just ignore that because it seems obvious.  We are biblical to start with these three things and springboard from them.

Now for the "don't ever stop" part of the Galatians instruction - But lunch for a friend.  Serve the meal at a homeless shelter.  Invite friends over to dinner.  Send someone an encouraging message on facebook.  Send an elderly widow a bouquet of flowers.  Rake your neighbors yard when he is out of town.  Have a Daddy/Daughter date or a Mother/Son date.  Tell someone that Jesus loves them.  Hold the door for a stranger.  Sponsor a child.  Help an elderly shopper with his/her cart.  help a friend with a repair. Tell someone they are doing a great job.  Tell others that you love them.  Make A Difference.

8 comments:

Susan said...

This is great advice. Doing good means to - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I agree with all of your ideas of doing good, but I think you left one very important thing out; prayer. If we take our willingness to serve to God in prayer, and pray for those around us, He will guide us into the service that best glorifies His Name. God bless you, and keep up the good work.

Alden Schoeneberg said...

Yes, Susan. I agree that prayer is key. That is probably for another blog. But, in some instances we already know how God wants us to act. For example, we don't wake up on Sundays and ask God if He want's us to go to church or tithe. We already know that He desires that from us. Or we don't pray if we should encourage others, when he specifically tells us to in His word. A better prayer at that point would be "how can I encourage so and so. Lord give me the words to say."

Susan said...

Thank you Alden! You are so right. When He has a purpose for your life, and you know what that purpose is, it is time to get going. It is easy for me to encourage others, I never lack for something uplifting to say (thanks to Scripture for that), but it is sometimes difficult to encourage myself. I know that sounds really abstract and selfish. But, I know what my purpose is - He has made it very clear to me - all I have to do is do it. I have been thinking about this all evening. You have helped me and encouraged me. Thank you and God bless you.

Anonymous said...

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Alden Schoeneberg said...

Thanks for the comment, Susan. I'm glad you found it to be an encouragement. I've checked in on your blog and it looks good.

Alden Schoeneberg said...

Thanks, Anonymous. I appreciate you saying that. I'll keep working to make my posts as well written as I can.

mooshie said...

I am grateful that I have a job that allows me to help my elderly neighbors everyday. We spend so much time with our church going friends we sometimes forget those outside of our community.

Alden Schoeneberg said...

That's awesome, mooshie. I believe when it says "especially those in the family of faith," it is referring to believers everywhere. I know that you get to help elderly believers who aren't connected to your church, but are still a part of the "family of faith." Also, it implies that the "family of faith" is just a starting point. If we stop there, we aren't fulfilling the the true command to serve others. Thanks for what you do, mooshie.