#4 Blessing of family

In a world where the importance of marriage (between a man and a woman) and family is diminishing it is beneficial to think for a moment how blessed I (and maybe you) are to have a 'real' family.

For me, personally, I am very thankful to have grown up with two parents (a mum and a dad), and what's more is that they are Christians. When I was baptised as an infant Dad and Mum promised to raise me up in the fear of the Lord; they made this promise to all the children in our family. And thus, we have all been/or are being raised up in a Christian family, a family where God is at the centre.

And its such a blessed thing when you realise and understand the beauty of being raised in a Christian family. Not everyone has had this privilege; but if you are someone who has, take some time to thank God.

Thank Him for Christian parents.
Thank Him for giving you a Mum and a Dad
Thank Him for giving you siblings, who have also been brought up as Christians.
Thank Him for giving you parents that bring you up in the fear of God's Name.
Thank Him for giving you a loving environment in which to grow up.
Thank Him for giving you siblings to love and cherish.
Thank Him for giving you people to shelter and care for you as you grow up.
Thank Him for the great times you've had as a family: holiday trips, outings, just fun together at home etc.

These are just some things you can thank God for in relation to your family. I'm sure you could think of more, also ones that may relate to your own family circumstances.

If you can't think of more ways, contrast your family life with someone who has none or very little family. Contrast it with some one who has only one parent (either their mum and dad have split up, or they never had both). Contrast it to an abusive family; contrast it to a family where mum and dad both work and have no time for the kids; contrast it to a family God is not the centre, but greed and materialism dominates the floor instead; contrast it to a family you would not like to be in. And then realise what a blessing your family is.

Take the time to thank God, and tell Him how blessed you are to have a family.

#3 Blessing of the Bible

I'll never forget what one high school religious studies teacher told us about the Bible: he called it the 'Living Word of the Living God'. For some reason this 'definition' has stuck with me, possibly because of its absolute truth and the implication of this in regards to my attitude towards the bible.


For indeed, the Bible is God's word. He spoke through the mouths of prophets and inspired ordinary men to write down His Words. The Bible is not some fictional story book with some great entertaining stories. The events described in it are not 'stories' but accurate descriptions of history. The Bible is a history book: God's History of the Salvation of His people through the redemptive working of His Son Jesus Christ.

The Bible contains all that we need for Salvation, and through it God speaks directly to us. Through the  Bible God reveals Himself to us. It is only when we read it that we can get an accurate picture of who God is and what He has done for us.

And that is why it is such an abundant blessing that we can have the Bible, we can hold it in our hands and read from it, we can study it at Bible Study clubs and we can hear it preached on Sundays. What a rich blessing it is to know that the Almighty, Living God, who is also our Father, reveals Himself and talks directly to us through the Bible.

We have received such a blessing, so let us also share it with others and let them know about our Living God.

#2 Blessing of Life

Life is indeed a wonderful blessing, something which we so often take for granted. God has given life to each one of us, and He has also made us that we may enjoy the life around us. Every morning we wake up to a new day, another day in God's service. And yes, sometimes it can be very hard to get out of bed in the morning, but if we change the focus of each new day into an experience of God's Almighty blessing, it makes it a whole lot easier to get out of bed.

This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

When you see the day as a gift from God your attitude towards it changes. No longer is it a grudge to pull yourself out of bed and face the things that need to be done. Instead you can rise up with joy, eager  to live another day in God's service.

God is the one who has granted you life and the least we can do is live it for Him in thankfulness.

I also thought this song was fitting with the Blessings them:

Blessings by Laura Story

#1 Serving God in Freedom

'Tis truly a wonderful thing to be able to worship God in freedom. It is a thing that we so often take for granted, especially when we have never personally experienced anything different.

Having grown up in a family where going to church every Sunday was the norm it is hard to imagine what it would be like if the government prohibited us from gathering together to hear God's Word preached on Sunday. Its hard to imagine being told you can not publically worship your God. It is hard to imagine a life where I am not allowed to go to church.

That is why it is such a blessing. But there is even more to it.

Being able to serve God at church is a blessing in itself. The fact that we are able to gather together as Children of God, where together we can hear His word as it is proclaimed to us from the hand of the minister. It is at Church that God speaks directly to His people (that is not to say that He doesn't when we are at home reading from our bibles). It is at church were we hear an explanation of the living Word, it is at church that we are spiritually nourished, and renewed with vigour to the coming week.

It is also at church where we can have communion with other fellow believers. That in itself is a wonderful thing. To be able to speak to others about our common faith, being a hand and a foot to each other. The communion of saints is a real blessing, and when you come to see it as such you realise how wonderfully blessed you are to be a part of it.

Thanks be to God who has blessed me in allowing me to come together with fellow believers twice every Sunday to hear His Word preached in Church. Thanks be to God that we can do this in freedom without hinderance. Thanks be to God that He allows us to have communion also with other brothers and sisters in Christ. And it is my prayer that God gives the strength to those who live in countries where the preaching of God's Word is prohibited.

How truly blessed we are!

God truly blesses

I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. (Ezekiel 34:26)

God, who is rich in mercy, showers gifts upon His Children. He showers gifts upon us. Take note for a minute the word shower. God does not drip blessings upon us. We don't receive one here, and then another one some days later. No, God showers blessings. He gives then in abundance. If you are caught outside in a shower of rain (like I was the other day running from my car to the train station), you are absolutely drenched. The rain soaks into you, it completely covers you, and if you are in it long enough there will be nothing of you left dry.

Now apply this to God's blessings. He showers them upon us; He completely drenches us with His love and mercy. He does not leave us dry, no child of God misses His showers of blessings.

Why we may not feel as though God showers us with blessings is most likely because we are not looking for them. Open your eyes and look around taste and see that the LORD is good (Psalm 34:8). 

Just like the old hymn says so clearly:

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 has done. 

Refrain:

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 on singing as the days go by. 

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.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small, 

Do not be discouraged, God is over all; 

Count your many blessings, angels will attend, 

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. 

God showers blessings on us, ones both great and small, we just have to open our eyes to see them. I challenge you, to count them, make and list and see for yourself the extent to which God blesses those He loves. And I also challenge myself to post a blessing I encounter in my life every day, for the next 30 days.

Where is the joy?

Joy is one of the defining characteristics of the Christian life, yet, sometimes I feel as though it is somewhat lacking in most of our lives. Yes, we are generally happy people, but we are often happy enough when we go to party and go out with our friends, or we are happy when we can get together with them and talk about the latest things we have, or what we did on the weekend. Yet, while we have happiness in these areas of life, we lack the same joy when we get together as youth of the church to discuss God's holy Word.

Reading through the book of psalms, I was struck at how many times they speak of joy. And how often  joy is spoken of in the context of singing and praising God. 

Let me mention just a few:

Psalm 5:11 - But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. 

Psalm 16:11 - You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 21:1 - The king shall have joy in Your strength, O LORD; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

Psalm 27:1 - And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

Psalm 32:11 - Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Psalm 33:3 - Sing to Him a new song; Play skilfully with a shout of joy. 

Psalm 35:9 - And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation. 

Psalm 35:27 - Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favour my righteous cause; And let them say continually, 'Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.' 

Psalm 43:4 - Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. 

Psalm 48:2 - Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. 

Psalm 51:8 - Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. 

Psalm 51:12 - Restore to me the joy of salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 

Psalm 63:5 - My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. 

Psalm 65:13 - The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing. 

Psalm 66:1-3 - Make a joyful shout to God all the earth! Sing out the honour of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, "How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. 

Psalm 67:4 - Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth. 

Psalm 81:1 - Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. 

Psalm 89:15 - Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance. 

Psalm 95:1 - Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 

Psalm 96:12 - Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the LORD.

Psalm 98:4 - Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.

Psalm 98:8 - With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King. 

Psalm 100:1-2 - May a joyful shout the the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness, come before His presence with singing.  

Psalm 105:43 - He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness. 

Psalm 106:1 - Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 

Psalm 122:1 - [The Joy of Going to the House of the LORD] - I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD."

Psalm 132:9 - Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your saints shout for joy. 

Psalm 132:16 - I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 

Psalm 137:6 - If I do not remember You, Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth - If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy. 

Psalm 149:2 - Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 

Psalm 149:5 - Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. 

Well that was more than just a few, but I'm sure you get the picture (and well done if you read all of them). In any case, these texts highlight what a joy it is to be called children of God. They speak of the joy these children have when they can come together and worship together. They speak of shouting and singing for joy because the Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever. 

We also have every reason to be joyful. God has taken us out of darkness and brought us into His marvelous light. We are able to have communion with Him, through Jesus Christ, and we are also able to have communion with fellow believers. Shouldn't that be cause enough for joy when we come together to worship or discuss His Word. 

He, the Almighty King of kings and Lord of lords, has chosen, you, and me, to be His special children (heirs with Christ - Romans 8). If we then believe this and take it to heart, let our lives be filled with joy, let it overflow like a fountain, that others may see the joy in us and be drawn to that source of Joy. 

So let us PRAISE THE LORD!

Praise the LORD!

Praise God in His sanctuary; 

Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts; 

Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; 

Praise him with the lute and harp!

Praise him with the timbrel and dance;

Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Praise Him with loud cymbals;

Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD!  (Psalm 150)

Put a Brave Face On

Whether we like it or not, we all have weaknesses. We all have things we stumble over in life, things that drag us down, sins that keep on returning even though we try hard to stop them. And if you can't find a weakness in your life, then you need to look harder. Examine your life in the light of God's Word and you will see the darker areas. 

The problem, is however, that as humans we are so often proud and do not want to admit to others our weaknesses. We would rather that our friends and family see us as strong people, people who life an upright and godly life, people who would never be tempted through weaknesses. We would rather put a brave face on instead of being honest with our family, friends and ourselves. 

However, the greater problem lies in that when we are not honest or open with the people closest to us,  we often lack the same honesty with God. If we spend all day trying to convince ourselves and the people around us that everything is OK and that there is nothing we need help with, we are also inclined to take this attitude to God. 

But this attitude is wrong! When we come before God in prayer, it must be in humility, with a humble spirit, confessing your sins, and also your weaknesses. We must come to God with all our weaknesses before the Devil brings them to us. Satan knows our weaknesses, he knows the places where we are weak and tend to trip up. He knows where to strike. 

But the good news is that you also know Satan's tactics. You know he strikes out at weaknesses. Think of the time when Satan tempted Jesus in the wildnerness. Jesus had not eaten for 40 days, and Satan tempted Jesus with food - Jesus would have surely been hungry. Satan said to Jesus, If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. (Matt 4:3) Satan tempts: he tempted Jesus and he tempts you and he tempts me, however, Jesus overcame. Jesus did not succumb to Satan's temptations, but rather, He rose above. And His defeat over Satan was final when He rose from the grave on Easter Sunday. He defeated death; He defeated Satan. 

What a blessing and comfort it is for us to know that Satan has been defeated. The victory is sure, yet the spiritual battle goes on until Christ returns. Nevertheless, we have the most powerful weapons to turn the devil away. We have God's Word and prayer. Two weapons that go hand in hand. We cannot use one with out the other, but when both are used, they are more powerful than a two-edged sword. 

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edgedsword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

So do not be afraid to tell others about your weaknesses, and above all, come before God in humbleness and tell Him everything. He wants to know, and He wants you to rely on Him. And what better thing is there to do than to rely on the one who supplies us with strength and the weapons to fight the devil. 

Always remember: In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Rom 8:37)