Dave Ferguson shares five ways to bless your neighbors. He says, “From the very beginning, God’s way of reaching and restoring the world has always been through what I would call a blessing strategy…how do we in a very practical way that’s theologically grounded explain to people how they could bless people in places they are incarnating?

They came up with this…

• B- Begin with prayer. We want you to ask, ‘God how do you want me to bless the people in the places you’ve sent me to?’
• L- Listen. Don’t talk, but listen to people, their struggles, their pains, in the places God sent you.
• E- Eat. You can’t just check this off. It’s not quick. You have to have a meal with people or a cup of coffee. It builds relationships.
• S- Serve. If you listen with people and you eat with people they will tell you how to love them and you’ll know how to serve them.
• S- Story. When the time is right, now we talk and we share the story of how Jesus changed our life.

Genesis 12:2-3 says, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

So instead of asking how can you be productive, ask how can you be proactive in your sphere of living to give away yourself? Love your neighbor as yourself. 

One of my favorite authors and speakers on the topic of ministry leadership is Daniel Im (not to be confused with Francis Chan). He said that when he was discerning his call to ministry, his pastor told him "to be rooted, to serve faithfully, and to seek out opportunities to expand my skills and to lead." As a teenager, he boldly asked if he could lead the worship ministry at his church when the position opened up. I appreciate how his story began to unfold at a young age. We should allow teenagers around us to step up in leadership opportunities when they take initiative. We should reward such requests and give room for growth in a safe environment. What bold steps have you taken lately in your faith journey? 
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I recently finished a book that was recommended to me titled From Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship. It was a fantastic read about the journey that author/evangelist Jack Frost experienced growing in faith and in the embrace of Father God, as he put it. In the final four chapters (chapter 7 having the title above), he presents eight defining truths from his own journey that helped him begin displacing an orphan heart and start feeling secure and at rest as a favored son. 

1. Forgive Your Parents for Misrepresenting Father's Love to You.
2. Ask Your Parents to Forgive You for the Way You Hurt or Disappointed Them.
3. Focus Your Life Upon Being a Son or Daughter
4. Forgive Spiritual Leaders and Governmental Authorities
5. You May Need to Seek Forgiveness From Those in Authority
6. Daily Renounce Ungodly Beliefs and Hidden Lies of Orphan Thinking
7. Begin Sowing Into Your Inheritance
8. Entering Into Your Inheritance

He says, "The depth of humility we embrace determines the depth of kingdom life we will experience." I cannot think of another book that goes into the same level of spiritual truths with such heart-gripping stories that this author shares. I really enjoyed reading about his career as a deep sea fisherman (twice), his restored parental relationships, and his humbling path through pastoral ministry and launching a ministry of his own. I can see how my story relates with his story in several ways. I am thankful to the person who recommended this book to me. 

If you are a believer, a child of God, renewed in the image of God, then remember that you have tremendous eternal worth to your heavenly Father. Even though he is listening and responding to millions of prayers all at the same time, he is willing to stop everything to bless you. Don't try to earn his favor, by striving for perfection on your own. He will give you a pure heart, by faith. Like Jesus, you are God's beloved child (son/daughter) with whom he is well-pleased (Matthew 3:17). So, move forward in the spiritual riches that he has bestowed upon you. If you feel alone or lost, then find the path home that is paved in part with restitution and forgiveness that you need with your parents and spiritual leaders; and you will inherently be at peace and rest! ​

For more resources about healing an orphan heart from Jack (now deceased) and Trisha Frost, visit their ministry at www.shilohplace.org.