Observations:
I asked myself after the salutation, what does Paul  do?
Paul does four things:
1. Paul writes, 'Grace to you from God our Father.'
2. Paul, writes, 'Grace to you from the Lord Jesus Christ.'
3. Paul writes, 'Peace to you from God our Father.'
4. Paul writes, 'Peace to you from the Lord Jesus Christ.'

Interpretations:
I asked myself the significance of what Paul did?
Paul could have begun his letter right away after the salutation to the Philippians but instead he wants to bless them with grace and peace from the One He has a personal relationship with who is also the Creator of the Universe. He wants the Philippians to know that the blessing of grace and peace is available to them too just as it is available to Him from God who He refers to as 'God our Father' emphasizing a son-Father personal relationship. He also acknowledges the Lordship of Christ where the grace and peace come from, for him and also for them whom he wants to bless.

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life. Just as Paul blessed the Philippians in the Name of the Father and the Son, as He was led by the Holy Spirit, I too need to bless others whom God puts in my way. In this world of curses and sadness, it will be refreshing for others to be blessed by words and deeds as I depend on God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

When my focus is on the Lord Jesus and my desire is to bless others through words or deeds, He does provide a way. Everyone needs compassion & blessings and it is awesome that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ can choose us to bless others just as He chose Paul. I want to always be a blessing to others as my Lord and Savior provides me an opportunity. I hope you can be a blessing to others too.

I ask you now dear friend, when do you bless others in life?
Dear friend, if you bless others in your life when it is only convenient to you, you are missing out on blessing them when they need that blessing. We are not called to bless others at our convenience. Paul did not even do that. Paul blessed the Philippians with words of GRACE and PEACE while he was still in chains. We to  should take every opportunity to bless others that the Lord puts in our paths as we depend on God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for those opportunities. You need not be a leader to bless others. You however need to be content with where the Lord Jesus placed you to bless others. If you are not content where you are then, you will be coveting what others have and you won't be in a mood to bless others.

I used to think that if I am in a leadership position then I will have opportunities to bless others because I will be calling the shots. So, when I was removed from different leadership positions at different times in my life, I became very discouraged and wallowed in my misery. Sometimes I still thread that path but the Lord Jesus has used Pastor Hugo and Marie Chan to remind me that blessing others can be done where we are at.

Marie told me a story about how her mom would pray for every single student that crossed her path everyday blessing them with prayers reaching Father God and that I can do the same when it comes to the students I come across in my job even though it is not through a Christian organization. With the Lord's help I decided to use my job to bless others as the Lord Jesus helps me. You can do that too.

Friend, you may not know who you will touch with the love of Christ until you  make yourself faithful, available, compatible, and teachable as one of my pastors, Pastor Hugo says. This counseling advice was given to me when I was going through a hard time in my life. Regardless of what we go through, we can bless others.

For that to happen, we need to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior first so we can bless others in the Name of Jesus Christ. It starts with Jesus Christ and not with us. Paul had a relationship with God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit before he started blessing others. We too need that relationship if we do not already have it. When we have that blessed relationship with Christ, we can bless others leading them to the blessed Lord everyday, saving souls.

Many years ago, when 'Counseling Broken Hearts with the Love of Christ' was my mission, I had written a poem called, "Downing Depression" and handed it out to people I knew who were working at a particular Giant Eagle. When one of the employees found that poem laying on the floor, he decided to read it. He then sought me out and told me that he was planning to commit suicide and this poem and especially the prayer came at the right time. Recently, when I saw him he was as happy as he could be and never forgets that day. I was just the instrument but it was the Lord who showed Him grace and peace through the poem He helped me write. This poem and the prayer showing Christ's love to the person changed that person's life around. I thank the Lord Jesus for that opportunity. Praise the Lord. Again it reminded me that I did not have to be in a leadership position to bless others.  Another person gave her life to Christ and became active in a church after reading the devotionals everyday. Always open yourself up to be a blessing to others and you will be amazed how much you will experience His grace and peace too.

I love what Daniel & Amy Spector have done in the past. They made it a choice to have a guest room in their place to bless others who pass by.  To bless others does not have to be gigantic but can even be simple. Either way when it is done in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for His honor and glory, ripple effects in the lives of others can be seen!

We live in a world filled with curses. Now is the moment to take time to send others a blessing in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior whether it is through writing a letter, speaking over the phone, texting someone, or even personally meeting with them as the Lord Jesus provides opportunities. He may want to use you to bless someone and save them. Take that opportunity friend.

May you come to bless others as our blessed Lord everyday saves souls!

"Blessed Lord Everyday Saves Souls! (B.L.E.S.S)"/"When do you B.L.E.S.S. in life?"  

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much for loving us and dying for our sin. Thank you so much for coming back to life to save us covering us in your precious cleansing blood. Oh Lord thanks for blessing us by your grace and peace. Help us to bless others as we depend on you Jesus. Lord, you have given us the greatest blessing in the Salvation you bestowed upon us by your grace. Thanks so much Jesus. I want to be a blessing to others throughout the week. Help me Lord to do that. Thanks so much Jesus. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!