That I should bless God seems odd, doesn’t it?

I mean, He is to be the One blessing me. Right?

No doubt about it, He blesses me in measureless abundance.

And for that I ought to bless Him.

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3).

Hmmm. How to bless God . . . .

With my lips, praising Him for this and thanking Him for that.

With my lips, saying those things which are pleasing to Him and which reflect positively on Him as my Father.

With my life, choosing deeds and purposes and goals that please Him and reflect positively on Him.

For years I have been impressed by a certain father. Apparently this man really enjoyed serving others. He loved doing things to bless and help others. It’s almost as though he just couldn’t help himself — he simply had to serve his fellow believers.

This father must not have served others at the expense of serving his family, though. When a father puts others ahead of his family, his children seem less inclined to put him ahead of others. So they don’t follow the path he wants them to follow.

Stephanas must have found the right combination of serving his family and others.

“Ye know the house of Stephanas…that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints” (1 Corinthians 16:15).

His household had the same addiction he did — serving the saints.

Wow! How did he do it?!