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!
Yours for God’s goodness to be upon us all,
David
Thank You, Lord God, for your great and unfailing love, kindness, faithfulness, patience, mercy, peace, gentleness, and joy that You share with us. Thank You for your presence in our lives. In Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen !
Amen
This blog is one blessing I count on….and the people behind it.Thank you.
Still praying for Ann.Locally,my barber,who I’ve known most of my life,died from lung cancer.Steve is a Christian;his sister was elevated to Canon about a year ago in the Anglican church.Then 2 days ago,one of the chief organizers of the Bordertown Bikers’ Bash was killed when his motorcycle was hit by a bus.Today I am going to Steve’s visitation.I barely knew Randy but some of my friends knew him well.Please pray for their loved ones (which includes family)God bless
Had No Blame.
Count your blessings,every one,
Count them again and give praise
For when you count what God has done,
You’ll be happy throughout your days.
When you count your blessings past,
You will come to know the Lord
And you will have a joy to last
With the treasures heaven has stored.
With so many blessings to share,
It is right to praise His name,
Since His love is beyond compare,
For He died when He had no blame.
(GW)Bill Marshall/09,Sept,2016
I love the way Nehemiah asks God to ‘remember’ his enemies rather than asking God to do something specific to them. It’s always so peaceful and easy in our faith to hand everything over to our heavenly Father to deal with enemies in His omniscient way.
A good quote from Ryan Denison:
“David’s prayer in Psalm 141 would make for a great background on our phones and computers: “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
Great poem William and amen to your prayer Rob. God bless you for your love for Him.
Blessings on all dear saints this and every day.
When people know you’re a follower of Christ, you never just speak for yourself. You speak for all of us, and, most importantly, for the Lord as well. So choose your words carefully. Make sure that God is the filter through which your thoughts must pass before they are set loose on the public.”
Thank you Eleanor for your prayer and thoughts for my niece Erin. It is appreciated even though I didn’t respond the same day. Erin is a worship leader and strong Christian. Like David’s encouraging statement that we should never minimize the call of God on our lives. God has us where He wants us and provides for us there. Blessings on you saints where you are.
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
I haven’t posted much recently, but have been praying for Ann and all her family. I’m glad her surgery went well! Hoping that there will be updates on how she is doing at some point.
Ger, I am lifting Erin and her husband up in prayer, that the Lord would open her womb, and also that they will be filled with His peace, patience and joy as they await their miracle.
Love and blessings to all of my fellow blog readers today.
Blessings to everyone, praying for Ann may God grant her full recovery; a complete new body; Ger praying for your family also;
I also have not posted much lately; praying for healing of my neighbour Jim; also praying for good health for Sandi and Becky;
Praying with thanksgiving for all the Lord has done for me; gave me my car; a home;good physical health; Thank you Lord in Jesus Name I Pray amen amen amen