Paperback
-
PICK UP IN STORECheck Availability at Nearby Stores
Available within 2 business hours
Related collections and offers
Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781958892428 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Booklocker.com, Incorporated |
| Publication date: | 04/10/2024 |
| Pages: | 104 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.27(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Introduction
I have been truly blessed since the day I was born. I have had a home, food and a loving family. We didn't have a lot of money, but that is not what blessings are all about. If you think it is, then you are very poor! I never desired to be rich, just to have enough to be able to give to others. That is where I find joy! I had a safe and healthy childhood. I was blessed with a wonderful and safe nursing career. Now I have two children, a boy and a girl, in which my prayers were answered. I have five grandchildren; they certainly have my heart. I have one stepson and two step grandchildren; they live next door and that is awesome. I was blessed with a long marriage of forty-two years, until death do us part. I am now blessed with a new beginning with my husband of three years whom I love dearly. I have found blessings in all seasons of my life. Sometimes you need to look for them. They are there. We just take them for granted. God always knows what you need, but he also likes for you to ask and to be thankful. His words say you have not because you ask not. God wants to bless his children! Our pastor always starts his service with a song and ends his service with a blessing over the congregation. When you say it and receive it, then it will come to pass. I hope this book is a blessing to you and helps you on life's journey. I want you to enjoy God's blessings in your life every day!
I stand on my porch looking at the tree in our backyard. The leaves are beautiful. They are yellow, orange, and red. They are wet in the morning dew; when the sun hits them, they shine like colored diamonds. I see squirrels running from tree to tree; a groundhog stands up and looks around in the field. I can look across the road and see cattle and sheep grazing. I think God used fall as his masterpiece. He painted this area with vibrant colors. Brightly colored birds are sitting in the shrubs where they raised their young this summer. The sky is so clear—not a cloud in sight. There is a brisk breeze in the air; it is cool on my face. This is my favorite time of year! I think God gives us the seasons to remind us he is here and in control. He gives us beauty year around if we only take the time to enjoy it. How can anyone deny there is a GOD!
In the early mornings, there is heavy fog. Deer are on the hill eating apple peelings from yesterday's canning of applesauce. I am so blessed with food canned in the cellar, food in the freezer, a roof over my head, and a warm bed to sleep in. How blessed can you be?
I know most people count their blessings by the material things they possess, but money can't buy peace, joy, and contentment. I wouldn't trade them for all the money in the world. In the fall, my little place on this earth is close to heaven on earth. We all need to slow down and enjoy what God has given to us. I never had a father, but I am blessed with a heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally.
Humans are a race that is full of greed. You do remember the greed of Adam and Eve brought sin into this world that we are paying for today, don't you? We could be living in a garden that gave us everything we need and have perfect peace! We would not have to work and walk with God every day. Wow! That sounds great to me!
If only the world could see things through the eyes of children, they would see beauty in nature and in others. They are quick to believe, trusting in what they cannot see. That's how God wants us to be: relying only on him. He will bless us and take care of us if we let him. We may not get everything we want but we will get what we need. Just like parents take care of their children he will take care of us! I am so blessed to have children and grandchildren. I know I would do anything for them, and I am sure God will do anything for us, since we have been adopted into his family. We are his children!
Now the LORD said to Abram, Go from your country and your kindred and your fathers house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing (Genesis 12: 1-3)
Our blessings started with Abraham. If he had not listened to God's instructions, we would not be able to have the blessings we have today. Listen to what God is telling you and obey him. Consider the following:
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his Law Day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers. Not so wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. (Psalms 1: 1-6)
We are living under grace today—not the law that our ancestors had to live by. It was impossible to keep all the laws. Religious leaders upheld the law and death came to those who did not obey it. You didn't have the holy spirit as we do today. Sacrifices had to be made for atonement for their sins. The following scripture explains:
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: For blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instructions, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso finds me finds life and shall obtain Favour of the LORD. (Proverbs 8: 32-35)
Also, let us examine the following verses:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:3-12)
To be blessed is to have God's favor and protection! Divine Favor! How can we activate the blessings of almighty God? To walk in his blessings, we must first harken to God and obey him. As it is written in Deuteronomy 28 verses 1-14:
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy Kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
Blessed shalt thou be when thou come in,
and blessed shalt thou be when thou go out.
The LORD shall cause thine enemies that revolt against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way and flee before the seven ways.
The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
The LORD shall establish thee a holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God and walk in his ways.
And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD swore unto thy fathers to give thee.
Another example of blessings is found below:
The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. (Deuteronomy 28: 1-14)
God wants to bless us, but he is still performing miracles too! When Jesus was on the earth, he went around performing miracles and healing those who were afflicted with illnesses. He raised Lazarus from the dead. He healed the woman with a blood disease she had for over twelve years by just touching his garment. Jesus is not here with us today, but his spirit is within us. If we ask with a pure heart, there is nothing God can't do! God's ways are not our ways, sometimes his healing for us is taking us home to be with him!
There is an increase in trials and tribulations in our lives every day.
Crime is on the rise, natural disasters, and wars.
We need faith and God's blessings in our lives.