Friday, June 27, 2014

Being Blessed


Numbers 6:24-25

‘” The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD
make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

God blesses those who love Him and obey Him. He brightens our days by letting us know we are His. The LORD comes to our assistance when someone prays for us. Each of us has experienced times when we felt the prayers of our Christian brothers and sisters.
We have times where we actually see God working in our lives, a result of God’s actions- we call these times God moments. We have a need; something happens and we feel His presence or we receive favor from Him.
When we receive a blessing from our Father, we should give thanks. We then get to give testimony of the blessing we received when we go to worship with our faith community. There was a time in my life I didn’t feel close to God. The church where I worshipped had a time of testimony at each service. At one service, I started writing down the names of those who gave praises and testimonies. I realized God was at work even though I couldn’t see it.
I enjoy writing down the gifts God has given me. This is an almost daily exercise. When I happen to have a bad day, I go through my list and thank Him again for what he has done for me on an earlier day.

As I worked on this entry, I had to make some phone calls for my hubby. Doing this kind of activity always unnerves me. I had to call a store that sells home improvement items and other merchandise. The first call netted me talking to four different departments. I had to hang up and call again. I talked to the woman in the department I couldn’t reach on the first call. Then I had to call the manufacturer. The number we gleaned from the paper work of the item we had purchased gave me a busy signal several times. I went to the website and found I had been given a number minus one digit. I called that number to make contact to find out the price of the item we needed to replace. Then we found out they only take credit cards, no checks or money orders. I received a blessing in all of this. I did not get upset or lose my cool. I am calm and composed That makes me feel blessed.


Graphic: Pinterest- Sunshine Taylor

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

A Blessing




‘” The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD
make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

I remember back in high school the Choral Club ended each performance with a musical arrangement of this passage of scripture. I was not a member of this group or any chorus but I enjoyed hearing those groups perform. I had forgotten how special the passage was.

This passage, a part of my devotions one recent morning, touched me as I read it. I felt led to call four of my church sisters and one of my church brothers and share the message. One prepares for Vacation Bible School to be held this upcoming week. The second lady had confided in me her feelings about a situation that keeps letting us know of its presence. One of my friends grieves her sister’s passing into heaven.

Several of us believe we stand at the brink of something very good for our building of God’s kingdom. 

God looks down on His people and gives approval to those who work for Him. He is kind to those who read His Word and obey Him. This blessing comes in five parts, which God would:
1.)    Favor and protect.
2.) be pleased with.
3.) be merciful and compassionate.
4.) give His approval.
 5.) give peace. 1

God brought joy to at least six people through this passage on a summer’s Saturday in central             Indiana. I wonder how many other people God blessed with these words that morning.

 In our 21th Century world, God’s children seek His favor and desire His protection. They seek His peace. When they interact with others, they strive to show mercy and compassion.

Dear Lord God: Thank You for Your love for Your children. Please show us how to spread Your blessing to those who hurt, who search for You, who want to know You better. I ask this be done out of Your grace for Your children. We will give You the glory. In the name of Jesus, I pray. AMEN
=============

1. The Life Application Bible, New International Version © 1991 Tyndale House Publishers
Inc., Wheaton, IL page 224

Who Am I?

Graphic:clearlyistamp.typepad.com

Monday, June 23, 2014

Great Joy




“When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did,
 they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks,
 evil spirits came out of many, and many were healed. So there was great joy in that city.”
 Acts 8:6-8

When we hear of someone being healed in modern times, people either give thanks to the Lord or they just pass it off as something minor In the first century people watched intently as Philip performed miracles on the sick and demon possessed of Jerusalem.

In today’s world we have chronic diseases that can be controlled by medications. We also have some illnesses that our society spends time, energy and funds to research cures for.

In the world of the first century, people thought that a lot of those inflicted with disease were demon possessed. When anyone could rid another person of the demons, there was a time of time of rejoicing.

When a Christian passes from this earth, those left behind go through a time of grief. Sometimes this is a bittersweet time for them. Those left behind are saddened because their loved one is gone. Deep down they know the departed is no longer in pain and is not ill anymore.

When our loved ones are healed, we should give thanks to God. Healing comes in several forms. Cancer can go into remission. Arthritis also goes into a form of remission. Ones whose illness goes 
into remission are considered healed.


God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...