1996-11-15 - 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. Last night a friend reminded me that everything we get from God is undeserved, that He could have deservedly sent us to Hell, and not provided redemption for us.
2 Tim 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 …. As my friend pointed out--something he heard someone say, "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 opportunities for worship, fellowship and service that we all need:
Eph 5:19 (NIV) Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
Heb 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.Eph 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, sanitary water supplies that prevent serious illnesses like cholera, 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:
Heb 13:15 (NIV) Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Dear Lord, please forgive us for not praising You as we should. Please help us to show more heartfelt gratitude to You for the many blessings You bestow on us every day. In Jesus' name, amen.