April 25, 2024

The Blessings of God

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O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah.
Behold our shield, O God, And look upon the face of Your anointed.
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!
Psalms 84:8-12

The last line…“How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”…pay particular attention to it.  It is a universal truth no matter how hard things can get.  God blesses us every day.  Just pay attention to it because you could miss it in the blink of an eye.

My children are a blessing.  When the opportunity arises, we have camp-outs in the living room.  (Yes, even on school nights.)  Well, we had one last night.  When the kids camp out, I sleep in the living room with them.   I had gotten up early to read some of my policy class work.  Well, I got sleepy. I figured I would take a quick 10 minute nap before the kids got up.  Right as I was drifting off, I felt a little arm brush across my face.  I opened my eyes to see my daughter climbing up into my arms.  What a blessing to get such love in the morning.  I guess God knew that I would sleep past the ten minutes and blessed me with love to keep me awake.  God is so awesome!

God gives us blessings all day.  If we trust in Him and believe in Him, He blesses us with His protection and love.  He becomes our sunshine and we shine with His love to those around us.  Every day is not promised, but at least when I get up in the mornings, I know that I am standing in the court that He created here on Earth.  I am standing on the threshold of His home because I know that is the next home I will have when I am done here on Earth.

A day with God is better than any day without Him.  Just being in a relationship with Him brings a smile to my face.  I place my faith in Him to get through hard days and good days.  If it were not for God, I do not know where I would be right now.  God puts us where we are for different reasons.  We may be able to figure some of them out, and we not be able to come to the conclusion.  Just remember that God knows what is best for us, and He blesses us in that way.

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Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your blessings.  Without them, our days would be longer and miserable.  I pray that we appreciate Your blessings and not take them for granted.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Quiz Your Thanksgiving Attitude

It is the week before Thanksgiving, what is going through your mind right now?

  • Who will be at your house?
  • All you have to do.
  • Who you plan to avoid?
  • How will you get it all done?
  • You fill in the blank….

For me, I am thinking how will I get it all done, especially when I have planned to be out of town the weekend before Thanksgiving. I have to put it all in perspective and focus on what is important…my time with family and friends and truly being thankful for all God has blessed me with this year.

What has Thanksgiving been like for you?  Not having the right perspective can send you into a tizzy—not to mention out of control eating.  To stay in control and actually enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Am I focusing on what is important (or worrying about the wrong stuff)?

Make a list of the things that are really important to you.  Then make another list with the things that worry you or consume your thoughts.  Do the lists match?  We spend so much time worrying about things that just do not matter in the long run.  If still unsure, ask yourself if that “worry” will matter next year, or the next, or the next?

  • Do I get mad easily?

Life is too short to let every little thing upset us. Let this year be the year to LET IT GO.

  • Am I willing to ask for help when I need it?

Never think you have to do it all yourself.  I am sure there are others who can do just as good of a job and want to help. What can you delegate today or ask for from a friend or family member?

As we begin the week, I pray that we all keep a perspective on what is really important and not focus on the food, everything that has to be done, or worrying about the wrong stuff.  A good reminder for me is Colossians 1:1-2

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

No matter what is going on in our life, we can see God’s blessings all around us if we stop long enough and meditate on His goodness.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

In Good Health,

Crystalfamily 2012