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As children of the Lord we are to revel in the goodness of the Lord and
focus on the blessings that He has bestowed upon our life. Many times we
forget of all the good things that surround us and tend to focus on the
negative that is only temporary in nature. We must remember that God never
promised that we would travel through life on flowery beds of ease, but
told us in John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye
might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the world." We were not left unaware of what would
come because the Lord told us that problems would come our way and still
reassured us that All Is Well. (Jeremiah 31:3) (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
If you have been feeling as if God has forgotten you, I want you to know
that He is with you in season and out of season and nothing shall ever
separate you from the love of God. I encourage you to think of the good
that surrounds you and make it a habit to praise God even in the midst of
the trial that comes your way. Praise overpowers fear. The God who
created us has promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us, so
you stand strong and rest in Him. (Psalm 139:1-10) (Hebrews 13:5-6)
I hope today's message ministers to your heart to focus on your blessings
and remember that you are blessed and favored of God no matter how
discouraged you may sometimes feel.
THE BLESSING TREE
I had gone into a supervisor's office to talk about a couple of issues that
needed to be addressed. She, like all of the men and women in her
department, had been through the proverbial 'ringer.' The stress was so
intense, one could almost taste it.
I had been assisting the department during a crunch period of being very
short-handed, and was watching everyone get close to burn-out. When I
inquired about her state of mind, she confessed that her home life was
almost non-existent, because she was 'zombie-ing through the evening'. The
next words out of her mouth expressed a frustration of my own: "This work
is not my gift from God. My family is!"
I had heard of hanging all of one's problems from the office on a "Trouble
Tree" while driving home, to be picked up on the way back to the office in
the morning, and for a brief second thought about suggesting that scenario.
But what came out was: "Why don't we do something different? Let's have a
Blessing Tree. On the way home in the evening, we could pull down a
blessing to dwell on a character trait we adore in our spouse, a particular
reason we love them, the love they or our children have for us, etc. The
list could be endless."
When I tried it on the way home that night, the stress seemed to melt away.
There was a 'spring in my step' and when I arrived, a smile of joy and
contentment was bubbling up from within! For the first time in 2 weeks, I
was overjoyed to greet my wife and children!
The Blessing Tree could make a major difference in your evenings especially
after those Really tough days.
By John Sharrock
Be encouraged to focus more on the blessings that surround you. If nothing
quickly comes to mind, think of the blessings of your health. Think of the
health of your kidneys and thank God that you do not require dialysis.
Think of your lungs and thank God that you do not have emphysema. Think of
your heart and thank God that you have a healthy heart and do not require a
heart transplant. Our blessings abound and the good that is in our lives
greatly outweigh any bad that may come our way. Be thankful always and
when trying times come your way remember to think on your blessings because
they will remind you of how favored you really are in the eyes of God.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) (Psalm 139:14-18) (Matthew 6:25-26) (Isaiah 49:13-16)
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 34:1-4 "I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and
let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears."
Psalm 9:1-2 "I will praise Thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew
forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee: I will
sing praise to Thy name, O thou most High."
1 Chronicles 16:8-13 "Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make
known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him,
talk ye of all His wondrous works. Glory ye in His Holy Name: let the
heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and His strength,
seek His face continually. Remember His marvellous works that He hath
done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth; O ye seed of Israel His
servant, ye children of Jacob, His chosen ones."
Psalm 111:1-5 "Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole
heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works
of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
His work is honourable and glorious: and His righteousness endureth for
ever. He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is
gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear
Him: He will ever be mindful of His covenant."
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: GOD IS ALREADY THERE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem107.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: GOD'S FAITHFULNESS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony190.htm
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
