Building One Another

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.  I Thessalonians 5:11

Blessing Vol 1 No 7

Dear Friend,

In a recent movie a man loses his beloved wife in a terrorist attack intended for another person.

Her loss was termed “Collateral Damage,” the name of the movie.

Collateral means side-by-side.  Consider the wonder of “collateral blessing.”

Collateral blessings are those blessings that you discover popping up around you… side-by-side with you.

Struggling to shovel a heavy snow, you suddenly become aware of the beauty around you… collateral blessing… a friend comes to help… more collateral blessing.

Attending an out-of-town meeting, you discover a dear friend is also in attendance… collateral blessing.

You visit your doctor thinking you have a minor cold but learn you have pneumonia and receive the needed treatment… collateral blessing.

Become alert to the “collateral blessings” in your life. Indeed, what you think to be a “collateral” blessing may be the “main” blessing… that of becoming aware of the loving works of Jesus Christ in your daily life.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:19*

Joy to you – E. Stanley Ott

©Copyright 2018 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the ESV

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Discussion Questions and Show Notes:

Discussion Questions:

1. Share an experience where there was a primary situation unfolding when you became aware of “collateral” blessings – people, events and things that encouraged you in the middle of what you were doing or experiencing.
2. When Elisha’s servant saw a great army arrayed against them, Elisha prays, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see,” and the servant saw his deliverance - the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. Can you think of other situations and prayers in the Bible in which people’s eyes are opened to see God at work?

Show Notes

Collateral blessings are those blessings that you discover popping uparound you… side-by-side with whatever else is going in you life.

• Struggling to shovel a heavy snow, you suddenly become aware of the beauty around you… a collateral blessing… a friend comes to help… a collateral blessing.
• Attending an out-of-town meeting, you discover a dear friend is also in attendance… a collateral blessing.
• You visit your doctor thinking you have a minor cold but learn you have pneumonia and receive the needed treatment… a collateral blessing.

Become alert to the “collateral blessings” in your life. Indeed, what you think to be a “collateral” blessing may be the “main” blessing… that of becoming aware of the loving works of Jesus Christ in your daily life.

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” [Isaiah 43:19*]

A wonderful collection of prayers that encourage us to be aware of God’s presence and blessings in the midst of whatever is going on:

The Valley of VisionArthur Bennett

https://www.amazon.com/Valley-Vision-Collection-Puritan-Devotions/dp/0851512283/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1531234802&sr=1-1&keywords=the+valley+of+vision

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