Blessings

We should be counting our blessings each and every day and not just on the special day of Thanksgiving but alas, we are in such a tizzy going to and fro with other activities that we fail to thank the Lord as we should. If you are too busy to pray, then you are too busy. If you are too busy to read the word of God in a timely manner, then you are too busy. The scriptures teach that we should be busy but busy about the right things. God doesn’t expect us to neglect the necessities of life and providing for our own; He just expects us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The food we eat, the air we breathe, are all blessings from the Lord as the “Doxology” song declares, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!”

How much does the Lord bless us as His children? We’ll never truly know until we get to heaven. However, listen to this account of a Christian who tells his story of feeling so abundantly blessed: “One morning R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was asked how he was feeling. “I’m burdened this morning!” was his reply. But his happy countenance contradicted his words. So the questioner exclaimed in surprise, “Are you really burdened, Mr. Chapman?” “Yes, but it’s a wonderful burden–it’s an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude!” Seeing the puzzled look on the face of his friend, Chapman added with a smile, “I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He ‘daily loads us with benefits.'”–Source Unknown. The full reading of this verse in Psalm 68:19 says, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” This is a burden that we should be thankful to have.

We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ according the the apostle Paul. The word “blessed’ means that God pronounces happiness, prosperity and benefits on those whom He blesses. That doesn’t necessarily mean prosperous in material things but it doesn’t exclude that either. Abraham was a materially rich and blessed by God but he also was rich in faith and an example for believers today. Yes, there are truly blessings and or benefits that the Lord bestows upon His children which we should not forget or take for granted. The Psalmist David was determined to bless the Lord with his soul and thus declares, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” (Psalm 103:2). This Psalm goes on to describe many of those benefits the Lord has provided.

The Lord of heaven is worthy of praise and adoration by His children and thus David asks the question: “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12). We surely should be willing to render due service to the One who has so abundantly blessed us and made us to prosper. Paul says this is a reasonable service to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. (Rom. 12:1). David answers his question with these words: “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.  I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.” (Psalm 116:`3-14). It is a glorious privilege to gather together to worship the Lord and pay our vows in the presence of all His people. This is another blessing that we sometimes take for granted.

We are blessed today in a mighty way, some more than others, but all are blessed in some way. The greatest blessing of all, however, is the blessing of knowing the Lord and the gift of eternal life which can never be taken away. Amen!–November 24, 2016–Elder Larry Wise

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About wisepb

Pastor: Bethany Primitive Baptist Church
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