Good morning awesome friends!
Deuteronomy chapter 12.
The Israelites must be somewhat excited about the Promised Land knowing how rich of a land it is and they will be able to eat all kinds of foods and meats. They won't be limited to just manna and water like they were in the wilderness. They'll probably have a greater appreciation for these blessings since they lived under limited circumstances for so many years.
But God gives warnings:
1. Be sure to rejoice in the Lord for all your blessings!
2. Don't even think about serving other gods! In fact make sure you destroy them all.
Do I rejoice for the blessings that come my way? Or do I just expect them? Do I feel I deserve them? Or do I take credit for the blessings that I have as if it was on my own strength and ability?
Forgetting to praise and rejoice and thank God for our many blessings is just one step toward forgetting God and not spending daily time with him. It's one step towards trying to figure out what you have to do to succeed and provide for you and your family. It's one step closer to relying on self and not God! Do we daily lay our needs and concerns before the Lord asking for his wisdom, strength, guidance and will? Or do we struggle and fight to figure it out all ourselves?
CHALLENGE: list things that you are thankful for and rejoice in the Lord for.
1. Karin. 2. Daughters. 3. Son in laws (no specific order). 4. Our house. 5. Warm bed. 6. Warm shower. 7. The ability to speak about God to others. 8. My church family including those I don't see very often because they are literally serving and all parts of the world. 9. Answered prayers which are amazing. 10. For the support of so many people for Edinboro camp.
There are so many things to be thankful for.
My top ten list is similar to Pastor Blair’s list and I’m sure that there’s much more that could be included that I missed thinking of today.
1. Salvation through Jesus
2. God’s Word
3. Faithful & Loving Spouse
4. 4 Sons & 1 Daughter as well as a Son-in-law, future Daughter-in-laws, Granddaughter & other future Grandchildren
5. Parents, Brother & other extended Family Members
6. Friends
7. Healthy Body
8. The ability to think, learn & communicate with a mind that is still working… (most of the time).
9. The ability to use all five senses in a free country where we have the right to life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness.
10. God’s provision of a house to live in, electricity to use, plumbing that works, a thermostat to control the temperature inside, vehicles to drive, a camper to retreat to at Edinboro Camp, food to eat, clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, and the list of things that He provides could keep going on…
I realize that not everyone in this world has what I have been blessed with and I should never take any of it for granted.
I’m reminded of Philippians 4:4.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
1.My family, my boys, an awesome extended family that helps and supports.
2.great friends
3.a wonderful church and church family that I love.
4.an awesome school and camp that my children can go to, get involved in and that supports and encourages them in their faith.
5. Music that can be an emotional outlet.
1. Mercy and forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
2. The plans the Lord has for me that He has already revealed to be so unbelievably incredible!
3. Dom my loving and devoted husband
4. My son
5. My mom and dad who are incredibly supportive and helped me to build a faith foundation from early childhood on
6. Friends who value me and encourage me to be the best version of myself- my sisters in Christ!
7. My God given abilities and personality traits that allow me to work so well with children and bring home an income
8. The desire inside my heart to continue to seek the Lord and encourage my family to as well
9. The daily blessings mentioned above that we often take for granted, homes, vehicles, comfort, jobs, safety, security
10. Eternal life in Heaven with Jesus Christ and all those loved ones who are waiting to celebrate eternity with us!