God's Blessings

If you are like me, sometimes you get so caught up on what is going on "now," on school assignments, work deadlines, past hurts, etc. that you lose focus of the fact that God blesses us SO much every day. I once read a quote by an unknown author who wrote, "What a wonderful world this would be if we could forget our problems and easily as we do our blessings." We should never forget or fail to remember all the blessings that God had given us in our lives. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:8-9 (NIV) So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.
This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, That everything that He provides on top of salvation is a bonus, and even if God never did anything else for me," the gift of salvation is so incredible and undeserved! But indeed, not only has God provided a means to satisfy His necessary justness--by giving His Son in our place, but He also gives us blessings everyday. He gives us family and friends. He gives us roofs over our heads. He gives us abilities. He gives us food. He gives us in this country, freedom of worship. He gives us good local churches to provide the opportunties for worship, fellowship and service that we all need:

Ephesians 5:19 (NIV) Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

I hope that you will join with me today, in a concerted effort to be more thankful to God. No matter what our situation, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for. There are things we take for granted every day, like a roof over our heads, food on our tables, employment and a source of income, our health and yes, even a government that is not a dictatorship....Things that people in some countries do not have....And we can be thankful that even in difficult situations, God can work for His glory and our good, and can bless others and teach us in those difficulties. Let's render to God more of the praise He deserves:

Hebrews 13:15 (NIV) Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.