In Christ - I am blessed

I am blessed...

Deuteronomy 28:2-14 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:  The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.  Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.  The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land He is giving you. The LORD will establish you as His holy people, as He promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.  Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity--in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground--in the land He swore to your forefathers to give you. The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of His bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.  The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.  Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 

Psalms 65:4 Blessed are those You choose and bring near to live in Your courts! We are filled with the good things of Your house, of Your holy temple. 

Ephesians 1:3  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.

Page-a-Day Calendar/email edition/2/2/11

“’Bless you!’ a stranger said to me when I sneezed loudly in the supermarket once again.

It must have been the tenth time I’d heard it that day as I suffered with yet another winter cold. I don’t feel all that blessed, I thought, sniffling and reaching for another tissue. I appreciated her kindness, but suddenly the phrase seemed silly. Who’s really thinking about God’s blessings when somebody sneezes? I’ve read that the origins of this tradition go far back in history, to a superstitious belief that an evil spirit could enter the body to steal the soul or to the fear that a sneeze signaled oncoming illness, requiring God’s protection for the sneezer. Whatever its origin, the average ‘Bless you’ is little more than a courtesy today.

“Still, all those ‘Bless yous’ made me think about the many times each day when I do feel blessed in small ways. I was blessed when a truck driver let me in ahead of him to make my left turn, instead of speeding up to beat me to the intersection. And I was blessed when a woman held the door open and waited for me as I struggled with my arms full of boxes for a school project. These weren’t big events, but little kindnesses that eased my way and brought much-needed help.

“Yet I’ve discovered something about these small, everyday blessings. They seem to mean the most to me when I’m on the giving end. The other day, I was waiting in the checkout line with my full cart, and I let a man with a huge box of diapers go ahead of me. ‘Thank you. You’re a blessing to me today,’ he said. But I also felt blessed, privileged to be able to pass on even the tiniest bit of God’s love that might make someone’s day go a little smoother. It’s one of God’s wonderful ironies: The more blessings I give others, the more blessed I am.

Heavenly Father, show me the ways I might shower others with blessings as You have showered me.” —GINA BRIDGEMA

God chooses to bless His children because of His great love for us – and His gifts and graces are always over the top!  The children of Israel were blessed by God – He was with them in the desert for 40 years providing for their every need – and He brought them to a land flowing with milk and honey – a land they didn’t have to work for – they didn’t have to build cities or plant vineyards – they were already built and planted.  In Deuteronomy 28:2-14 God spells out the extent of His blessings – every area of their lives would be blessed – IF.  IF they obeyed the Lord.  IF they walked in His ways.  IF they paid attention to His commands.  Why was He giving them so much?  So that they would be a witness to their neighbors – so that other nations would see God’s hand of blessing on the children of Israel and they would want it for themselves and come to see that the LORD was the King of kings and LORD of lords.  The rest of Deuteronomy 28 goes on to tell the Israelites what would happen if they DIDN’T obey Him  - didn’t walk in His ways – didn’t pay attention to His commands.  And, sadly, the history of Israel shows us what choice they made – over and over again – they rebelled – they walked away from Jehovah and served other gods – and they refused to be the light to the nations.  When they were walking in obedience (which wasn’t often) they hoarded God’s blessings – they saw His blessings as evidence that there was something pretty special about them – and anyone who wasn’t a Jew was worse than a dog.  Before you get too hasty and judge Israel for the choices they made, take a look at your own relationship with God.  When I did it wasn’t a pretty picture – there was a time when I was so caught up in my own self-righteousness that God couldn’t use me to be the “salt and light” I should have – and could have – been.  Then I was doing just what the Israelites did – walking in the world – worshipping other gods (not literally – I didn’t have any gold statues – but I had idols of the heart) – and I had removed myself from the blessings of God.  I am SO grateful that God continued to extend His hand of grace and mercy – and yes, His blessings – to me, His prodigal daughter.  I don’t want to hoard His blessings anymore – I want my life to shine for Him – for people to see what He’s done in my life and be drawn to Jesus as a result of my witness.  Is that what you want?  Then open your hands – let His blessings spill out of an overflowing heart of gratitude for all He’s done for you!  Sharon

In Christ - I am forgiven

I am forgiven...

II Samuel 12:13  Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die."

Hebrews 9:11-15 But Christ came as our High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.  Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption .  For if the blood of bulls and goats and ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more, then, will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!   And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Colossians 1:14 In Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

I John 2:12 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name. 

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

The Broken Wing

by Charles R. Swindoll

Daniel 9:4-19; Luke 7:36-48; Acts 10:34-43

“It is quite probable that someone reading my words this moment is fighting an inner battle with a ghost from the past. The skeleton in one of yesterday's closets is beginning to rattle louder and louder. Putting adhesive tape around the closet and moving the bureau in front of the door does little to muffle the clattering bones. You wonder, possibly, ‘Who knows?’ You think, probably, ‘I've had it . . . can't win . . . party's over.’

“The anchor that tumbled off your boat is dragging and snagging on the bottom. Guilt and anxiety have come aboard, pointing out the great dark hulks of shipwrecks below. They busy themselves drilling worry-holes in your hull and you are beginning to sink. Down in the hold, you can hear them chant an old lie as they work: ‘The bird with the broken pinion never soared as high again. . . .’

“Allow me to present a case in opposition to these destructive and inaccurate accusers. It may be true that you've done or experienced things which would embarrass you if they became public knowledge. You may have committed a terrible and tragic sin that was never traced back to you. You may have a criminal record or a moral charge or a domestic conflict that, to this moment, is private information. You may wrestle with a past that has been fractured and wounded by a mental or emotional breakdown. Futile attempts at suicide may add to the previous scar tissue and increase your fear of being labeled ‘sick’ or ‘nervous.’ It is possible that you live with memories, covered now by the sands of time, of an illicit relationship or a financial failure or a terrible habit or a divorce or a scandalous involvement. You feel that any one of these things might mar or cripple your reputation if the dirty details ever spilled on the table of gluttonous gossipers.

“But wait a minute. Before you surrender your case as hopeless, consider the liberating evidence offered in the Bible. Take an honest look at men and women whom God used in spite of their past! Abraham, founder of Israel and tagged ‘the friend of God,’ was once a worshiper of idols. Joseph had a prison record but later became prime minister of Egypt. Moses was a murderer, but later became the one who delivered his nation from the slavery of Pharaoh. Jephthah was an illegitimate child who ran around with a tough bunch of hoods before he was chosen by God to become His personal representative. Rahab was a harlot in the streets of Jericho but was later used in such a mighty way that God enlisted her among the members of His hall of fame in Hebrews 11.

“Still unconvinced? There's more. Eli and Samuel were both poor, inconsistent fathers, but proved to be strong men in God's hand regardless. Jonah and John Mark were missionaries who ran away from hardship like cowards but were ever-so-profitable later on. Peter openly denied the Lord and cursed Him, only to return and become God's choicest spokesman among the early years of the infant church. Paul was so hard and vicious in his early life the disciples and apostles refused to believe he'd actually become a Christian . . . but you know how greatly God used him. We could go on and on. The files of heaven are filled with stories of redeemed, refitted renegades and rebels.

“How magnificent is grace! How malignant is guilt! How sweet are the promises! How sour is the past! How precious and broad is God's love! How petty and narrow are man's limitations! How refreshing is the Lord! How rigid is the legalist!

“There is not a single saint who sits in a single church free from a few things he or she is ashamed of---not one of us! The one who thinks otherwise is worse than all the rest combined. In plain, garden-variety English, we were all taken from the same dunghill. And so we all fight the same fight with the filth of the flesh regardless of how loudly we sing, how piously we pray, or how sweetly we say hello.

“Mark it---when God forgives, He forgets. He is not only willing but pleased to use any vessel---just as long as it is clean today. It may be cracked or chipped. It may be worn or it may have never been used before. You can count on this---the past ended one second ago. From this point onward, you can be clean, filled with His Spirit, and used in many different ways for His honor. God's glorious grace says: ‘Throw guilt and anxiety overboard . . . draw the anchor . . . trim the sails . . . man the rudder . . . a strong gale is coming!’

Excerpted from Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, Copyright © 1983 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc.

I lived a long time with my own personal and private failures – until I realized that it wasn’t the LORD reminding me of my past – it was my own inner voice and the voice of my enemy.  Over the years I’ve learned to recognize who is talking – and I choose NOT to listen to the enemy of my soul – he’s a liar and the father of all lies – so why should I give him ANY time in my head?!  I’ve also learned to weed out my own negative self-talk, and have replaced those old “tapes” with the truth of who I am “in Christ.”  It’s work – and it’s discipline – but it’s worth it!  I can feel the breeze in my face as I move forward with the Lord!  I hope you do, too! Sharon

In Christ - I am protected by God

I am protected by God...

Deuteronomy 33:12,27  About Benjamin he said: "Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between His shoulders."  The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, "Destroy him!"

Joshua 1:5-9 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go... Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

II Chronicles 14:11  Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one like You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You."  

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 

Page a Day Email Calendar - MYSTERIOUS WAYS

April 16, 2010

“I gripped the steering wheel, squinting at the dark, fog-covered road. I knew this route through the Nebraska Sand Hills like the back of my hand, but the fog was so thick I couldn’t pick out a single landmark. A sign jumped out of nowhere: WARNING, SHARP TURN. I knew the curve that came after it. And I knew I was going too fast. My pickup skidded out of control. Glass shattered. I flew through the air.

“When I came to, I felt cold prairie grass beneath me. Where am I? Where’s the road? I tried to sit up. A sharp pain ripped through my chest. I turned my head gingerly. Nearby, the outline of the truck was visible through the fog.

“I gritted my teeth and dragged myself toward the vehicle. Something told me that if I could just get back to my truck, I’d make it through this. A few yards felt like a thousand miles, but I made it and opened the door. The dome light went on. I pulled myself onto the passenger seat. That light filled me with peace. Lord, don’t let the light go out, I prayed, then drifted into unconsciousness.

“I woke up in the hospital, covered head to toe in casts and bandages.

“’You have a collapsed lung and a broken collarbone,’ a doctor said. ‘But you’re going to be all right.’

“The next morning, the sun shone through the hospital blinds and a breakfast tray stood by my bed. My uncle sat next to it.

“’You’re lucky, Mike,’ he said. ‘You know how deserted that stretch of road is at night. A woman driving by spotted a light and called the police. Your truck had skidded so far into the prairie, I don’t know how she even noticed it through all that fog.’

“’That was my dome light,’ I said. ‘It went on when I pulled open the door of the pickup.’

“’It couldn’t have been, Mike,’ my uncle said. ‘The crash threw the battery twenty feet away.’

“However You did it God, thank You for saving me.”  Mike daly

WOW!  The Light of the World was right where this man needed Him to be in his hour of need – what an amazing testimony!  I know that there have been MANY times when the Lord’s presence has protected me  - maybe not as dramatically as Mike’s story – but just as miraculous.  God is always watching out for us – no matter where we are or what we’ve gotten ourselves into, He is there.  He may not always protect us from all harm – but even then it is mitigated by His grace, and it’s always for our good and His glory. TRUST Him– and carry on!  Sharon