Immeasurable Blessings

Every November my theme for blogs is giving thanks. One of my favorite songs of all time is "Counting My Blessings" by Matt Maher and Seph Schlueter. The words are so perfect for this season (that often gets skipped over) being between Halloween and Christmas. That's why I use the entire month of November to focus on my blessings.

When Paul wrote his letter to the church at Ephesus he started by praising God for the spiritual blessings He has given us through Jesus Christ. 

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ," (Ephesians 1:3 NIV).

I don't think I've ever used those words when I pray. My study Bible offers an interpretation. It says, "that in Christ we have all the benefits of knowing God--being chosen for salvation, being adopted as his children, forgiveness, insight, the gifts of the Spirit, power to do God's will, the hope of living forever with Christ. Because we have an intimate relationship with Christ, we can enjoy these blessings now. The heavenly realms means that these blessings are eternal, not temporal."

If you stayed with me long enough to read that whole comment, you realize how massive our blessings really are! How often do I praise God for all of the blessings Christ gave me-because I first believed? That is a lot of powerful blessings.The words of the song below express that feeling of immeasurable blessings.

Counting My Blessings

by Matt Maher and Seph Schlueter

It's like it was yesterday

I was a praying for a miracle

Scared to have a little hope

And now looking back today

Seeing all the things You've done

I can't even add them up

One, two, three up to infinity

I'd run out of numbers

Before I could thank You for everything

God, I'm still counting my blessings

For all that You've done in my life

The more that I look in the details

The more of Your goodness I find

Father on this side of heaven

I know that I'll run out of time

But I will keep counting my blessings

Knowing I can't count that high

And I know that seasons never last forever

So, God I will remember all of the reasons

My heart has to be grateful

All the times You've been faithful to me

God, I'm still counting my blessings

For all that You've done in my life

The more that I look in the details

The more of Your goodness I find

Father on this side of heaven

I know that I'll run out of time

But I will keep counting my blessings

Knowing I can't count that high

Oh, I can't count that high

High, oh, high

Oh, Your goodness, Your goodness

One, two, three up to infinity

I'd run out of numbers

Before I could thank You for everything

God, I'm still counting my blessings

For all that You've done in my life

The more that I look in the details (the details)

The more of Your goodness I find

Father on this side of heaven

I know that I'll run out of time

But I will keep counting my blessings

Knowing I can't count that high

I will keep counting my blessings

Knowing I can't count that high

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Jonathan Gamble / Jordan Douglas Sapp / Seph Schlueter

Counting My Blessings lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Essential Music Publishing, Sentric Music

O, Heavenly Father, thank you for the countless blessings You have given me through Your Son. I can never express enough thanks to even put a dent in all my blessings. You alone are so good -- beyond what my mind can grasp. Thank You, God. "I will keep counting my blessings", though I know "I'll run out of time" here on earth, and that "I can't count that high"!  AMEN.

Give Me Strength

Tomorrow is Election Day. Citizens of the United States of America have the right and the privilege to voice their opinions by voting. Tomorrow we choose some of the people who will represent us in state and national offices. Tomorrow also means the last day of particularly nasty commercials that have been airing for weeks. We can all be thankful for that.

"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong," (2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV). 

God gives us power that we can never achieve on our own. That is why we pray. We need God in every situation. We should not choose a path of passive inaction, but instead, depend on God to make us effective in moving forward with action that has lasting value. 

I'm not sure that voting is an action that makes an eternal difference, but cumulatively I believe our choices and actions do guide us to our forever home. 

Heavenly Father, help us today, in our difficulties, to seek Your strength as we make choices and take action. Guide us as You would have us move forward. Take our hands in Yours and show us what to do. We are so thankful for the blood of Jesus that washed away our sins. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and make us strong in serving You. Amen.

Strong Towers

When I think of towers in Iowa I first think of windmills that used to mark every farm in the state. Wind storms and tornadoes have taken their toll on most of those icons. 

Then I think of the tall concrete grain elevators. The clusters of gray elevators that stood near the train tracks for easy shipping of Iowa's grain are becoming more of a rarity as they deteriorate from unuse or are used in alternate ways, and the abandoned train lines are being turned into bike trails across the state. Farmers built their own silos on the farm or the familiar silver bins that popped up across the farmlands.

Next, I think of the water towers that mark most of the towns in the state. The unique designs, colors, and names of the towns identified your location before GPS.

Now, Iowa has more than 6,500 wind turbines dotting the landscape and recognized by the blinking red lights after dark.

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe," (Proverbs 18:10 NIV). 

None of the towers I mentioned above are invincible, as God's strong tower.

Thank You, God, for the indestructible tower that You protect us with. You are always there for us, stranding strong against the evil that is around us. Thank You, God, for being faithful and dependable - always! In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

To God be the glory!

Do Not Be Dismayed

Have you ever felt dismayed? I had to look up the definition to be sure of what it meant. "Dismay: v. To fill with dread or apprehension; daunt; n. consternation or apprehension." says my 2001 American Heritage dictionary. It seems deeper than I was imagining. Some people dread going to the dentist, but I can't imagine them saying, "I dismay going to the dentist." 

Oh, sorry, I have no right to question the dictionary wizards. Some words just aren't interchangeable in common speech. I'm far from the one who knows all about language usage. Let's move on.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand," (Isaiah 41:10 NIV).

God tells us not to be dismayed. We have no need to dread anything in our lives. God's got us. He will hold us and help us through every situation. God is with us. He is our God! 

Oh, gracious God, thank you for being with us. Always. Forever. We can't wait to see Your face as You sit on Your holy Throne. Keep leading us on Your path and in Your Word. We lift Your Name in praise! Praying in Jesus' name, Amen.

To God be the glory! 

Use me, Lord

My desk is a mess. I have all these piles of things that need my attention. Today I will have time to address some of them. It makes me nervous having so many tasks waiting. But, nothing bad will happen to me if I don't get things done. I will be greatly disturbed but only one thing is due for someone else.

Paul was imprisoned in Rome when he wrote the letter to the church in Philippi. He had no idea what was in his future but he was determined to live his life for Christ Jesus, 

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain," (Philippians 1:20-21 NIV). 

I have never been tested for my faith as many have been. There are those who are martyrs even today. Here in the Midwest, surrounded by corn and bean fields (and in Ankeny by row after row of houses) there is little threat to our lives, except maybe on the roadways.

Lord God, I feel so privileged here in the middle of rich, black soil that grows bushels of golden grain. Help me be aware of my safe surroundings and give You thanks for every day here. Lord, I want to live like Paul, willingly devoting my body and all its gifts, by life or by death. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Use me today, I pray. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

To God be the glory!

The Art of Blessing

One thing that has been important to me is the giving of blessings upon others. Perhaps only God can give a true blessing, however He taught Moses and those who followed Him how to give a blessing in the book of Numbers. 

"The Lord said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace,"' (Numbers 6:22-26 NIV).

So I believe, through faith, we can ask God to bring blessings upon those we care about. My Bible commentary says these verses show there are five parts to a blessing that asks God to give His "divine favor to rest upon others". 

A blessing hopes for God to "(1) bless and keep them (favor and protect); (2) make his face shine upon them (be pleased); (3) be gracious (merciful and compassionate); (4) turn his face toward them (give his approval); and (5) give peace."

When we  ask God to bless someone we are requesting those five things. Giving a blessing helps the one we are blessing, but it also shows love, gives encouragement, and is an example of how to care for others.

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

To God be the glory!

Appreciating Our Pastor

One of the most underrated professions in life may be of our clergy. October is Clergy Appreciation Month and October 11 was Pastor Appreciation Day. The month is set to honor the service of pastors, priests, reverends, ministers and clergy. 

Hallmark Cards started the initiative in 1992 (to sell more cards, no doubt). However, the month of recognition has become a reminder to church attenders to reflect on the ongoing work of our spiritual leaders. That may also include persons who minister through their music, service, and church staff. Scripture encourages us to recognize our spiritual leaders.

"Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work," (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 NIV). 

None of us see all the hours of prayer, study, planning and preparation that goes into the weekly message. And pastors' work is not limited to the sermons. Clergy also make personal calls or visits, perform marriages and funerals and baptisms, endure countless meetings, offer counseling, study scripture, pray, and much more that we don't realize. I know my list is incomplete.

Lord God, we pause today to honor, respect and encourage our pastors. We ask that You surround them with Your strength and love. Inspire them with Your Word. Guide us with awareness of the amazing job our clergy do in shepherding their flock. May the recognition of our pastors' work continue all year long. We pray in the name of Jesus, the greatest Pastor of all time, Amen.

Thank you, Pastors.

To God be the glory!