Daily Thought for Tuesday, November 22md

November 22, 2011

Count Your Blessings

Today’s Thought:

Often blessings are like raindrops they: they fall from Heaven in quantities to great to be counted.

Today’s Quote:

“Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done!” – Johnson Oatman, Jr. (lyrics from ‘Count Your Blessings’)

Today’s Question:

How often do you think you receive a blessing and you’re not even aware of it?

Today’s Bible Verses:          Matthew 5:3-12 & James 1:12

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“A thankful person is thankful under all circumstances.” – Baha’u’llah

When we think of blessings; generally we think of good things that have happened.  As Christians we think of the good things God has done for us, like sending His Son Jesus to die in our place, forgiving our sins, meeting our needs.  But we often forget to count the blessings that are ours in hard times and in the trials of life.

Do we count among our list of blessings the persecutions, the tests, the trials, the burdens that we carry?  Often we do not, but we should.

If we could but recognize the blessings in what we consider bad times – we might find it easier to endure, persevere and overcome.

“When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

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.” - Johnson Oatman, Jr. (lyrics from ‘Count Your Blessings’)

In truth, as Christians, our blessings are so numerous it would boggle the mind if we tried to count them: so then let us be thankful in all things.

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:  The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” - The Bible (Numbers 6:24-26)

Today’s Prayer:

Father, in the morning, in the evening, whether awake or asleep, whether in abundance or abasement; I am blessed.  Thank you for your blessings!

“And so Tiny Tim observed, ‘God Bless us Every One!”

- Charles Dickens