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Bringing Relief to Others
What are the specific features about Jesus’ behavior that Peter used to describe his Master? Acts 10:38.
Jesus’ style fundamentally was selfless. He utilized all His energy to serve others, to bring them relief through His kind words and healing power. Jesus never used His divine powers to benefit Himself. This must have made such an impression on Peter that his description of the Savior was of someone who “ ‘went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil’ ” (vs. 38, NIV).
In the majority of cases, the pressure brought about by work, relationships, money, etc., is self-centered. Focusing on others (rather than oneself) is a good way to remove personal pressure. People who engage in voluntary work, community projects, etc., report greater feelings of well-being and satisfaction than people who do not.
Read Galatians 6:2, Philippians 2:4, and John 15:13. What message is in there for us?
John D. Rockefeller (1839–1937) provided an example of how to survive stress by moving the focus from oneself to others. By 1879 his company, Standard Oil, handled about 90 percent of the refining in the United States. By the age of 50 he was the richest man alive. But in 1891 he had a nervous breakdown and was near death. However, he recovered from his illness in just a few months.
How?
Apart from a simple diet, rest, and exercise, he decided to give away his fortune and spent the remaining 40 years of his life as a philanthropist. Early in the twentieth century his personal fortune peaked at nearly $900 million. At the time of his death his estate was valued at $26 million. His donations did a lot of good in the world. And as for himself, he extended his life by nearly another 50 years, living in contentment to the age of 97.
What has been your own experience with the blessings that come from serving others? Why not make a concentrated and prayerful effort to do more?
| THURSDAY | January 13 |
What are the specific features about Jesus’ behavior that Peter used to describe his Master? Acts 10:38.
Jesus’ style fundamentally was selfless. He utilized all His energy to serve others, to bring them relief through His kind words and healing power. Jesus never used His divine powers to benefit Himself. This must have made such an impression on Peter that his description of the Savior was of someone who “ ‘went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil’ ” (vs. 38, NIV).
In the majority of cases, the pressure brought about by work, relationships, money, etc., is self-centered. Focusing on others (rather than oneself) is a good way to remove personal pressure. People who engage in voluntary work, community projects, etc., report greater feelings of well-being and satisfaction than people who do not.
Read Galatians 6:2, Philippians 2:4, and John 15:13. What message is in there for us?
John D. Rockefeller (1839–1937) provided an example of how to survive stress by moving the focus from oneself to others. By 1879 his company, Standard Oil, handled about 90 percent of the refining in the United States. By the age of 50 he was the richest man alive. But in 1891 he had a nervous breakdown and was near death. However, he recovered from his illness in just a few months.
How?
Apart from a simple diet, rest, and exercise, he decided to give away his fortune and spent the remaining 40 years of his life as a philanthropist. Early in the twentieth century his personal fortune peaked at nearly $900 million. At the time of his death his estate was valued at $26 million. His donations did a lot of good in the world. And as for himself, he extended his life by nearly another 50 years, living in contentment to the age of 97.
What has been your own experience with the blessings that come from serving others? Why not make a concentrated and prayerful effort to do more?
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