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from Section I-a ON BLESSINGS AND PSALMS: |
{16} Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. {15} See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, {16} Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. {17} Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. {18} And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;{19} Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
{20} Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
*For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.*
And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
*Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;*
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs, and the rest of my body;
And wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do -
The things that I took for granted.
And I answered,
"It would be tough, Lord, but I would still love You."
Then the Lord said,
"If you were blind, would you still love My creation?"
How could I love something without being able to see it?
Then I thought of all the blind people in the world,
And how many of them still loved God and His creation.
So I answered,
"It's hard to think of it, but I would still love You."
The Lord then asked me,
"If you were deaf, would you still listen to My Word?"
How could I listen to anything, being deaf?
Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts.
I answered,
"it would be tough, but I would still listen to Your Word."
The Lord then asked,
"If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"
How could I praise without a voice?
Then it occurred to me,
God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul.
It never matters what we sound like.
And praising God is not always with a song,
But also when we are persecuted.
We give God praise with our words of thanks.
So I answered,
"Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."
And the Lord asked,
"Do you really love Me?"
With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly,
"Yes Lord, I love You, because You are the One and True God!"
I thought I had answered well, but God asked,
"Then why do you sin?"
I answered,
"Because I am only human. I am not perfect."
"Then why in times of peace do you stray the furthest?"
"Why only in times of trouble do you pray the earnest?"
No answer; only tears.
The Lord continued,
"Why only sing at fellowships and retreats?
Why seek Me only in times of worship?
Why ask things so selfishly?
Why ask things so unfaithfully?"
The tears continued to roll down my cheek.
"Why are you ashamed of Me?
Why are you not spreading the Good News?
Why in times of persecution, you cry to others,
When I offer you My Shoulder to cry on?
Why make excuses, when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"
I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.
"You are blessed with life.
I made you not to throw this gift away.
I have blessed you with talents to serve Me,
But you continue to turn away.
I have stretched forth My Word to you, but you do not gain knowledge.
I have spoken to you, but your eyes were turned away.
I have sent you My servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away.
I have heard your prayers, and have answered them all."
"Do you truly love Me?"
I could not answer. How could I?
I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse.
What could I say to this?
When my heart had cried out, and the tears had flowed, I said,
"Please forgive me, Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child.
The Lord answered,
"That is My Grace, My child."
I asked,
"Why do You continue to forgive me?
Why do You love me so?"
The Lord answered,
"Because you are My creation; you are My child. I will never abandon you.
When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.
When you scream in joy, I will laugh with you.
When you are down, I will encourage you.
When you fall, I will raise you up.
When you are tired, I will carry you.
I will be with you ‘til the end of the days, and I will love you forever."
Never had I cried so hard before.
How could I have been so cold?
How could I have hurt God as I had done?
I asked God,
"How much do You love me?"
And the Lord stretched out His Arms,
As they were nailed to the cross.
I bowed down at the Feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time,
I truly prayed.
The question is: Do we love Him? Do you love Him? Do I love Him?
Author Unknown
| DATE: | Counting My Daily Blessings: | NOTES: |
|---|---|---|
| 1/1/-- | Thank You for healing an affliction. | Answers to much prayer and waiting! |
| 1/2/-- | Thank You for guidance concerning work. | Learning patience from this experience |
| 1/3/-- | Thank You for helping me to avoid a certain confrontation. | Remember to get any "beams" out own eyes! |
| 1/4/-- | Thank You for finding my keys. | Will better "backup" techniques in future. |
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.(Luke 17:15-19)
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.{7} And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
{8} Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
{9} Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
(Phil 4:6-9 KJV)
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.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?,
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?,
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;,
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy,
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;,
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
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