“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).
Life can be a challenge at times. Too often, we think that once we have accepted Christ for salvation, life will be easy. Oh, if only that were true. We forget that we still live in a fallen world and have free will.
We have no way to see the future, so when we make a decision based upon the limits of our human sight, we can find ourselves making poor choices. For instance, if you decide to marry a person who is not a Christian or who has very different values from you, there can be rough consequences, but God can turn even our worst choices into blessings.
Our choices in life have a direct effect on the joy we experience in life. Every decision we make should be made only after talking to God and listening to His guidance. In spite of poor choices and troubling times, we have more blessings than we can count. Life itself is a blessing. Even though we may have some tough times, we have many blessings directly from God.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS by Johnson Oatman, Jr.
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
We only have to look to Christ’s disciples to see that even having a close relationship and walk with Him, they still had trouble and faced fear. My thoughts jump to the time when Jesus and His disciples were crossing the sea. Jesus had nothing to fear, so he was able to get some rest, but a storm arose. These men had seen many miracles and care from Jesus, but when they were tested, they reacted like most of us would.
“And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38).
Of course, Jesus cared, but in the time of trouble, they forgot that He always cares. “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40).
How often do we forget that Jesus cares? Faith is easy when things run smoothly, but when the storms come, remember the blessings. Counting blessings in good times and bad will bring into focus just exactly how much Jesus cares about each of us.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
Quite often, when the storms in life arise, it’s because of choices we have made. We all sin and make choices that aren’t good. Yet, we blame God for the problems. Still, Jesus is there to help us through. There isn’t a sin so big that Jesus won’t forgive. The Apostle Paul had a huge burden of sin, but when he met Jesus, he repented and was able to serve Jesus until he died.
If you think that God has turned away from you, just start counting your blessings. Where do you begin? Well, you were given the blessing of life. Not only life on this earth, but if you’ve accepted Jesus, then you have life eternal.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he love us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved:)” (Ephesians 2:4-5).
That is truly a blessing. I remember reading about Fanny Crosby, who wrote many beloved hymns, but was blind. She counted her blindness as a blessing, because she said that when she died and she was able to see, the first sight she would see would be Jesus. I know Jesus will outshine the beauty found in His creation, but Fanny Crosby would experience sight by seeing Jesus first. What a blessing!!
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Riches in this life can come at a very high cost. There will always be someone who seems to have more than you. The bottom line is that lands and gold will not bring salvation; only faith in Jesus Christ can do that. Real treasure is what you give in Jesus’ name. I’m not talking about tithing to your church, but what you give to help others that will bring glory to Jesus. Make Jesus the foundation of your life and build on that foundation.
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:11-13).
Every Christian will stand before Jesus one day. We are not saved by works, but our works will be judged. “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).
As you count your blessings, ask God to show you how to use them to bless others in His name. Things done for His glory will earn eternal rewards. Even Buckingham Palace will look like a shack compared to what is waiting for all who serve Jesus.
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). That promise is counted as a blessing.
So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
We live in a fallen world, and trouble is all around us. Sometimes it’s easy to think that previous generations had it easier, or that the heroes in Scripture weren’t troubled like we are. That just isn’t true. In his second letter to the congregation in Corinth, Paul spoke of a time when he was greatly troubled.
“For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:” (2 Corinthians 1:8).
Suffering may not seem like a blessing, but if we use our trials and tribulations to glorify God, our troubles can bless others. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-6).
Suffering may not seem like a blessing, but when you use your own sufferings to help others in their time of trouble, you are a blessing to others. God is always with you and will see you through troubles. None of us can ever suffer what Christ suffered in order to purchase our salvation. That is a blessing of too great a value to even take lightly.
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
If you are having a sleepless night, try counting blessings. Thank God for each one. You may not fall asleep before daylight, but you will have seen how much God loves you. Now it’s time to share His blessings with others. Smile at someone who seems weighted down by burdens and cares. Share the Gospel with someone who needs to hear it. Share how God has blessed you even when you weren’t aware of His blessings.
God bless you all
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites:
www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com
All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).
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