ACTS 20:28-35 – “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
THEME OF THE DAY: THE BLESSED LIFE. What is the definition of the word blessed? It basically means “to be happy.” And what person does not want to be happy? Everyone. We are wired for happiness. God put within each us the desire and longing for happiness. The problem is we seek it in all the wrong places. God desires our happiness, but the condition is one. It is only found in Him, and since the catastrophic fall in the Garden of Eden by our first parents, Adam and Eve, every person has sought happiness apart from the only source of happiness or the blessed life – the Lord.
When it comes to the blessed or happy life, Jesus would give us the blueprint for it in the portion of the scriptures known as the Beatitudes –
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account” (Matthew 5:3-11).
But there is something else to add to the blueprint for constructing a blessed or happy life. It is found in today’s scripture and the last instruction the Apostle Paul gives to the Ephesian elders. His last statement sums up the whole earthly life of the Lord Jesus and the call He gives to all His people for living a happy life pleasing to Him as well as influential for Him. Here is the summary . . .
The Christian life is to be one of giving, not taking; of serving, not being served; of self-denial, not self-fulfilling. It is to put the interests of others and Christ far above self-interests. These are the things of substance making for the happy or blessed life. May the Lord help us to pursue them and find our happiness in the only place possible – Him.
PRAYER: Father, help me to see my life is to be one of giving, not taking; of serving, not being served.
REFLECTION: To live the Christian life as the Bible directs is to live for the interests of Christ and others, not self.