The "E" in Blessing

The "E" in "blessing" stands for "Equip". A definition that is perhaps oversimplied would simply be "putting on equipment". When you equip someone you give them needed equipment.

My 9th grade son is playing football (actually he has been running a lot) and the season has yet to begin...just daily workouts in preparation. His equipment has consisted of shorts, a t-shirt, and his cleats, which are really all that he needs for conditioning drills and exercises. However, this past Friday he received an alotment of equipent consisting of pads, a helmet, a practice jersey, a game jersey, etc.--equipment that he will need to seriously play the game. Come Monday, the team will start hitting and playing more aggressively. A well-equipped player need not fear injury. With equipment on, the players will practce a little harder, run a little harder, and hit a little harder!

Likewise, a well-equipped church member need not fear injury. They can serve a little harder and certainly hit a little harder.

1 Corinthians 14:13-19 includes an inventory of equipment that we need to be passing out to each other. The discussion is wrapped in the vocabulary of tongues-speaking but certainly has application for those of us who do not possess the gift. The context is the gathered assembly of worshippers and so these are pieces of equipment that each of us should be seeking to distribute every time the church gathers together.

5 Pieces of Equipment that someone needs from you today:

1. Prayer (v13-15)--Whether we are praying "in the Spirit" or "with our mind" our prayers are to benefit those around us. In the assembly we should be ministering through prayer constantly. The translation of the prayer offered in the spirit is important so that we can become involved in the lives of those for whom we are praying. Don't leave the worship service without lifting someone up in prayer. It's equipment that they need in order to hit harder. Take the effort to physically lay hands upon someone and vocally bless them through prayer.
2. Singing (v15)--In the same way our singing is to benefit those around us. Sing loud, sing passionately, sing your praise unto the Lord! Someone in the worship service needs to hear you sing! Equip them!
3. Thanksgiving (v16-17)--The Greek word for "bless" in the text is "eulogeo" (not sure if that is the right transliteration). It sounds a little like "eulogy" and carries the same meaning--"to speak well of". Our testimonies of thanksgiving both bring honor to God and bring encouragement to our fellw worshippers. The moment we pass out of a trial someone around us is perhaps entering into a similar trial. We can equip them to pass through the fire by sharing how we have overcome. Never hesitate to brag on God! God has placed someone around you who needs to hear your story. Equip them!
4. Affirming (v16)--The text mentions the importance of "the Amen" in worship. We need to be quick to affirm truth when we hear and to affirm each other when God works within us. Every time you recognize God's activity--let our a hearty "AMEN"! It's equipment that someone around you needs to hear!
5. Teaching (v18-19)--Finally we need to be teaching each other. The older women need to be guiding the younger women and older men need to be guiding the younger men. The cancer survivors need to be walking with the cancer sufferers. Empty nesters need to be spending time sharing their wisdom with new parents. Every one of us should have a person who is speaking into our lives and another person into whose life we are speaking. Teach! Mentor! Speak into someone's life! Equip them!

Let me challenge you today to be looking for someone that you can equip! They're already looking for you!