“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

Life can be a challenge at times. Too often, we think that once we have accepted Christ for salvation, life will be easy. Oh, if only that were true. We forget that we still live in a fallen world and have free will.

We have no way to see the future, so when we make a decision based upon the limits of our human sight, we can find ourselves making poor choices. For instance, if you decide to marry a person who is not a Christian or who has very different values from you, there can be rough consequences, but God can turn even our worst choices into blessings.

Our choices in life have a direct effect on the joy we experience in life. Every decision we make should be made only after talking to God and listening to His guidance. In spite of poor choices and troubling times, we have more blessings than we can count. Life itself is a blessing. Even though we may have some tough times, we have many blessings directly from God.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS by Johnson Oatman, Jr.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

We only have to look to Christ’s disciples to see that even having a close relationship and walk with Him, they still had trouble and faced fear. My thoughts jump to the time when Jesus and His disciples were crossing the sea. Jesus had nothing to fear, so he was able to get some rest, but a storm arose. These men had seen many miracles and care from Jesus, but when they were tested, they reacted like most of us would.

“And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38).

Of course, Jesus cared, but in the time of trouble, they forgot that He always cares. “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40).

How often do we forget that Jesus cares? Faith is easy when things run smoothly, but when the storms come, remember the blessings. Counting blessings in good times and bad will bring into focus just exactly how much Jesus cares about each of us.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

Quite often, when the storms in life arise, it’s because of choices we have made. We all sin and make choices that aren’t good. Yet, we blame God for the problems. Still, Jesus is there to help us through. There isn’t a sin so big that Jesus won’t forgive. The Apostle Paul had a huge burden of sin, but when he met Jesus, he repented and was able to serve Jesus until he died.

If you think that God has turned away from you, just start counting your blessings. Where do you begin? Well, you were given the blessing of life. Not only life on this earth, but if you’ve accepted Jesus, then you have life eternal.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he love us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved:)” (Ephesians 2:4-5). 

That is truly a blessing. I remember reading about Fanny Crosby, who wrote many beloved hymns, but was blind. She counted her blindness as a blessing, because she said that when she died and she was able to see, the first sight she would see would be Jesus. I know Jesus will outshine the beauty found in His creation, but Fanny Crosby would experience sight by seeing Jesus first. What a blessing!!

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Riches in this life can come at a very high cost. There will always be someone who seems to have more than you. The bottom line is that lands and gold will not bring salvation; only faith in Jesus Christ can do that. Real treasure is what you give in Jesus’ name. I’m not talking about tithing to your church, but what you give to help others that will bring glory to Jesus. Make Jesus the foundation of your life and build on that foundation.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:11-13).

Every Christian will stand before Jesus one day. We are not saved by works, but our works will be judged. “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).

As you count your blessings, ask God to show you how to use them to bless others in His name. Things done for His glory will earn eternal rewards. Even Buckingham Palace will look like a shack compared to what is waiting for all who serve Jesus.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). That promise is counted as a blessing.

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.

We live in a fallen world, and trouble is all around us. Sometimes it’s easy to think that previous generations had it easier, or that the heroes in Scripture weren’t troubled like we are. That just isn’t true. In his second letter to the congregation in Corinth, Paul spoke of a time when he was greatly troubled.

“For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:” (2 Corinthians 1:8).

Suffering may not seem like a blessing, but if we use our trials and tribulations to glorify God, our troubles can bless others. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-6).

Suffering may not seem like a blessing, but when you use your own sufferings to help others in their time of trouble, you are a blessing to others. God is always with you and will see you through troubles. None of us can ever suffer what Christ suffered in order to purchase our salvation. That is a blessing of too great a value to even take lightly.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

If you are having a sleepless night, try counting blessings. Thank God for each one. You may not fall asleep before daylight, but you will have seen how much God loves you. Now it’s time to share His blessings with others. Smile at someone who seems weighted down by burdens and cares. Share the Gospel with someone who needs to hear it. Share how God has blessed you even when you weren’t aware of His blessings.

God bless you all

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

 

We all know that sometimes it isn’t easy to be thankful, but thankfulness shouldn’t depend upon our feelings about what’s happening at the moment. A child might live in a very loving family, but does that child truly feel thankful for a warm bed at night, or parents that set boundaries? That child is very much like each one of us. We tend to take our blessings for granted.

God has given us everything, including forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ, but are we thankful? There’s always something to grumble about. The Jones family has a bigger house. The Smith family regularly take exotic vacations. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson both have high-paying jobs. There’s always someone who will seem to be more blessed and happier, but you never know how high the mortgage is, or what other troubles other people face. Are they thankful, or, like you, do they want more?

The Apostle Paul spent a lot of time facing tough situations, such as shipwrecks, beatings, snakebites, and jail in dungeons. That isn’t exactly a life that sounds like he had much to be thankful for, but he was very thankful. After all, Paul had been full of unrepentant sin, but when he met Jesus, he knew he was forgiven and was a changed man. His anger and hatred melted away.

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

“In” everything give thanks. He didn’t say “for.” God deserves our thanks always. Even if we can’t see His reasons at the moment, He loves us and can be trusted to provide the best for us.

Let’s look at Daniel who lived long before Christ was born, but his faith and love for God is legendary. From a very young age, he loved God and didn’t let anybody or any circumstance diminish his faith. He could have been very bitter towards God, but instead, his faith was a beacon to the pagans around him. Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon and besieged Jerusalem. When Jerusalem eventually fell, Nebuchadnezzar ordered his eunuchs to take some children hostage.

“Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans” (Daniel 1:4).

The idea was to brainwash these children to accept the pagan culture. Daniel was one of these “children.” When they arrived in the palace, the king ordered that these youngsters would be given the best food and wine, but Daniel saw this as something that was against his faith in God, and would only eat vegetables and drink water.

Daniel continued to honor God for many years, not only in his diet, but also in prayer and thanksgiving. He never bowed before the pagan idols found in Babylon. Daniel loved God and would do nothing that would dishonor Him. Daniel showed his faith and gratitude daily. When his faith was tested, Daniel chose to honor God instead of following pagan mandates. This habit made the local magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers very angry, and they wanted to kill Daniel and his friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego).

One night, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that upset him. He couldn’t remember the dream but wanted his “wise” men to interpret it anyway. They couldn’t, so he wanted them all killed. Daniel took it to God, who gave him the answers.

“I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter” (Daniel 2:23).

Daniel was never shy about giving thanks to God, even among the pagans in Babylon. How much more should we be faithful and thankful to God for all He has done for us?

After some time passed, Nebuchadnezzar was no longer king, but Darius took power, and Daniel’s faith and thankfulness continued to be honored by God but despised by people around him. Daniel had always served God first, and his faith was noticed.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). 

Darius did notice Daniel and saw evidence of God’s hand in Daniel’s life. Darius promoted Daniel to a high government position, but others who were under him wanted to get rid of him. Politics has never been easy, and bad men always make trouble for good ones. Daniel’s enemies knew the only way to get rid of Daniel was to make a law that Daniel couldn’t obey because he only obeyed God’s law. That sounds like modern times, when a bakery owner can be dragged to court for refusing to make a wedding cake for two men. We can learn much by studying Daniel about how to handle situations when man’s law contradicts God’s law.

The evil men asked the king to make a law that anybody who prays or makes supplication to any God or man other than Darius for 30 days would be thrown into the den of lions. Darius went along with this law, forgetting that Daniel was faithful to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and couldn’t obey this law.

Did Daniel cower in fear? Did he wring his hands and try to find a way to compromise? We are to obey the laws of the land except when man’s law is opposed to God’s law.

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).

Daniel didn’t change his routine. He continued to pray and give thanks to God Almighty, knowing full well that his faithfulness to God would mean death. Sure enough, the evil men found Daniel praying and making supplication to God, and they went and tattled to the king. Darius was not at all pleased with himself for allowing this law to be enacted and tried to find a way around it. Darius had seen Daniel’s faith and how it affected his life and integrity.

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (Daniel 6:16).

It seems that Daniel’s faith had rubbed off on Darius! The den was covered with a stone, and the king’s seal was upon it. Darius didn’t sleep well that night and went to the den early.

“And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” (Daniel 6:20).

Daniel’s faith was such that even the king knew that he served the living God. When someone looks at you, what do they see? Do they see that you are a servant of the Living God, or do they see you living with one foot in the world?

God chose to spare Daniel, and His angel shut the lions’ mouths. “…So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God” (Daniel 6:23b).

What happened to those who had forced the law, hoping Daniel would die? Darius had them cast into the den of lions along with their wives and children, and the lions had a feast. This puts me in mind of the Rapture. God always protects those who love and honor Him. Christians will be taken up to Heaven prior to the Tribulation, just like Daniel was removed before the lion’s mouths were opened, and they had those who rejected the Living God destroyed.

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

Draw near to God today. Let your faith grow and be thankful. Bad times will happen, and it’s best to prepare yourself now. Only God can save you from the wrath to come.

We can learn many lessons from studying the Old Testament. God saved Daniel from other attacks by his enemies, as well as many other people in the Old Testament. God saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago from the fiery furnace, Enoch from the Flood, Lot from the fire and brimstone poured down on Sodom and Gomorrah, and many more faithful and thankful people were protected by God. Christians have God’s assurance that we will not go through the final seven years of judgment that will come upon the earth. Are we thankful for this promise?

Anybody who believes we will see God’s wrath just hasn’t studied God’s word. We will see bad times and persecution, but we will be taken Home before God’s final judgment begins. Many people are looking for the man who will take power over the world, the Anti-Christ, but he can’t be revealed until after Christians are taken Home. It’s better to look to and serve the one who will save us from God’s wrath.

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

The temple must be rebuilt first, so the man of sin is still waiting for all things to be ready, including Christians being Raptured. The Christians in Thessalonica were afraid the Tribulation had begun, but Paul assured them they hadn’t missed the Rapture because certain things had to happen first. We cannot know the date of the Rapture, but we can read the signs that it’s getting close. Draw near to Jesus and share the Gospel with others. Live your life so others will see your faith and know that you are a Christian.

God gave Isaiah a prophecy regarding the end times. “For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come” (Isaiah 63:4).

God will protect His people from His vengeance. Be sure you have repented and placed your faith in Jesus. If you love Him, be faithful and thankful.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).