COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 5-6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A fence seperates the men’s prayer area from the women’s at the Western Wall (or Wailing Wall) in Jerusalem. This wall is part of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Nehemiah 6:3
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”
This writing may have been a report back to King Artaxerxes in Persia. Not only did it speak of rebuilding the walls, but of the reform of civil society. Nehemiah took measures to repopulate Jerusalem with observant Jews. He enforced the cancellation of debt providing a brand new start for the people. He assisted Ezra in teaching and implementing the Law of Moses. Nehemiah’s determined leadership is captured in our key verse. He considered what he was doing to be “a great work.” We should never minimize the call of God on our lives. Doing God’s will is “a great work.” In spite of attempts to lure Nehemiah away and put fear in his heart, he never gave up! He took leadership and persisted in his efforts. When those who opposed him tried to make him fearful, he refused to be afraid. He feared God (ultimate respect) more than anything man could do to him.
Malachi, preaching while Nehemiah was in leadership, declared, “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His Name” (Malachi 3:16).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that this blog will have the same results as Malachi’s ministry. Thank You for all who speak to one another, encouraging each other in their responses to the blog, by telephone calls, or in personal conversation, or even in forwarding the blogs to others. I’m asking You, Lord, as did Nehemiah, “Remember me, my God, for good” (Nehemiah 5:19a). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
At first glance it may seem self-centred to ask for God’s blessings for myself, but I’m fully aware that unless I am blessed, I cannot give what I don’t have. The Gospel song says, “Count your blessings; name them one by one. Count your blessings; see what God has done.” I’ve just gone into Google, typed in “Count Your Blessings,” and there was Guy Penrod singing this song on 100 Huntley Street (click here). On the senior’s TV series, Really Good Medicine, we had Jimmy Durante singing Irving Berlin’s song written for the White Christmas movie, “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.” I’ve often done that when I’m trying to fall asleep. It works!
Also, I have a grandson-in-law who is a police officer. As I was reading of Nehemiah’s plan to work with one hand while holding a sword in the other, I thought of the police motto, “To Serve and Protect.” Come to think of it, I want to do the same.
Yours for God’s goodness to be upon us all,
David
Amen brother in Christ
Blessings blog friends…
Amen.
Dear David,
I have a little frig magnet on the frige, I will apply it to you it says (when I Count My Blessings I Count You Twice).
Thank you for being our true and faithful teacher in the Lord every morning.
God Bless You David
How could we not love Nehemiah. He stood up for his people and stuck to his guns in great adversity…….all for the glory of God. Thank u Jesus for people like He.
Blessings dear saints.
May we, like Nehemiah, stand strong in our faith and count our many blessings
Amen to your prayer today David! I also count you twice. I went to a Bbq at my dad’s yesterday with my brother sister and brother-in-law. I was fully prepared to share your blog with them and had several opportunities but couldn’t SPEAK! I went home discouraged. This morning it dawned on me that I CAN text! So I’ll do that. I really just want them to check it out and give it a chance.
Lord I pray for the right words in a perfect message that will encourage them to check out this blog and open up Your Word to them! I pray in Jesus’ Holy Name Amen!!
Audrey and I have also been texting encouragements to each other in between prayer sessions. It’s like having two blogs! Blessings and a wonderful day to all you beautiful bloggers!!
Amen over the week my sister,brother in law, and nephew came for a visit
I really enjoy the time we spend together . They don’t want to hear about
Jesus , but I keep them in prayer.
Lianne Hogg
Also in listening to the Scripture today I learned how to pronounce Artaxerxes. It’s fun to say Artaxerxes. I enjoy the listening aspect as well. I think each has it’s own merits and will do both.
My computer did not have the “spoken” portion of the scripture reading today for some reason so I just read it myself. I was very surprised at how easily and quickly I was able to say all the names mentioned. I am usually impatient with all the names and I was surprised that the pronunciation helps had kicked in! Maybe I could learn a little Hebrew next.
Have much to thank the Lord for; this year’s trip to Israel being one of them as well as this blog. Camp Meeting starts today and Rev. Steve Brock is the speaker tonight.
I’ve had people say they don’t want to hear about Jesus! I quickly say No Problem, I just want you to know that HE knows all about you and He loves you in spite of our sins! Then I retreat quickly! I am not equippped to to start an argument, I don`t believe that is the way……whenever I see the people I still smile and mention `have a good day“ if they hae children I make sure to mention that they have very nich children, especially if I see them in the pool. Parents like to hear good things about their family!
please pray for energy for me, I am STILL SO TAHNKFUL FOR THE LORD REMOVING SMOKES-ALCOHOL from me 20 years ago….my life would not be today…PRAISE THE LORD!
P.S.
WOW! I sure need to lean how to (speel), spell…pray for our young children and our youth in our country…..blessings
Oh Holy Spirit!! Flow through Sah more gustily! You are INFINITE ENERGY and she NEEDS MORE! Thank You in Jesus’ Name Amen!!
God bless you Kathie! Thank you!
Re: my family dinner yesterday. It’s always the same. Sitting around the dinner table feasting and drinking and talking. Everyone.s always trying to glean the meaning of life from movies and nature and science. Why WHON’T they just read the Bible?
well Kathie it seems you have a mission! Listening to your family and ask the Holy Spirit what to speak. Firstly, thank God you have family to get together with, maybe, thank your family for that opportunity. Actually that is very good advice! Try thanking your families for whatever is precious to each person. Getting togetjher for dinners, for coffee, for talking, laughing, fishing, shopping, ask someone what have they done recently that gave them pleasure! Maybe building something, painting, reading a book, there are several ideas when dealing with family!
Kathie I thank God that you share blogs! This latest one with family is very good for all of us to renew our feelings about our families, and what is important…..Jesus was all about walking, talking, listening, family, helping, healing, laughter, teaching, ….IMAGINE! He is our Lord and Saviour!
Have a blessed day to all.
I’m in awe at the disciplined life you live, David. When most of us set aside our schedules for the summer, you continue with your discipline of rising early to get this blog out to us (fresh bread)! You are a tremendous example of a disciplined life. I would love to see you on Huntley Street more often. People take note when you speak!! May God’s abundant blessing continue to be on you and your lovely family.
As Jacob blessed his son Joseph with the blessings of the God of his father, may you also be blessed and strengthened. Psalm 1 refers to the blessed man who walks in the ways of the Lord. Lord, Father in Heaven, help each and everyone of us to walk in your way, accept our repentance, and guide us in your way everlasting. Praying through the precious blood of Jesus who died so that we may approach the throne of grace.
Kathie…be sure to listen to the song “Count Your Blessings” by Guy Penrod, mentioned in David’s message. Hugs. Audrey
Kathie….be sure to listen to the song “Count Your Blessings” mentioned in David’s message. Hugs. Audrey