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
I’m fully aware that unless I am blessed, I cannot give what I don’t have
Dear David: you are so right – we cannot share if we don’t have it to give
I cannot thank you enough for all the Blessings you, your family and all your ministry have been to God’s people over the years. Continuing to pray for you all. Blessings to all at Crossroads,
Amen
Amen
Amen Vivian!
Amen!!
Amen !
Amen Vivian!!!
Amen Vivian!!!
Amen, Vivian!
Thanks to God for all His people. May God’s blessings, strength, wisdom, peace and courage be on -in- all today. Thank You, dear Lord God, for all Your Godly leaders throughout the world. Please keep each one in Your special care, so they can do the work You have given them to do. And please, send out more workers each day, willing, glad, and equipped to do Your will. In Jesus’s so-gracious name, amen
Amen Rob!
Amen!!
I want to add my amen too! May God richly bless you and yours wIth health and all blessings needed to give you strength. You have blessed others so much, and we rejoice to see you receive God’s blessings too!
I listened to Guy’s song that is what I need to start doing writing them down , and as what you said David say them before going to sleep is a good idea. Thank you David ,Ann ,Ron and Renold for doing this blog every day. God bless you , and your families.
Thank you for posting the link Pastor David.
Reminds me of the days when my children were little and I was going through a difficult divorce…my neighbor reminded me to count my blessings and to name them one by one. Also encouraged me with the words “there is a silver lining behind every cloud”.
And she was right…I praise God for the many blessings He has bestowed on me and my children. And truly there is a silver lining behind every cloud! Thank you Jesus for the many Blessings You have poured out over me and my household! Amen and Amen!!
Amen Irene, God is good, His mercies endure forever.
Brother in the Lord, David I pray all the time for God to bless and protect you and give you miraculous daily health, I can’t thank you enough for continuing to bless us with this absolutely wonderful daily bible study . I tell people how much it has blessed me and tell them to check it out . G
Amen to Guy’s song, today, dear David and fellow saints. Blessings to all!
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph 3:17 NIV
And thank you, dear David, for all you have done; and to all your family, the Crossroads staff; and 100 Huntley Street. What a joy to be connected with you through this blog. Such a blessing you have been in my life, all the saints, and so many around the world. All for the love of Jesus!!!
Blessings to Samuel and Dodie! Happy Anniversary! 51years! WOW! Praise and thank God!
if people are having trouble getting this blog, call your internet provider! They do not often know what is going on! it may sound funny, but is is a BIG network, and there are glitches!
PLEASE PRAY FOR RAIN IN BRITISH COLUMBIA TO PUT OUT THE FIRES!
PRAYERS PLEASE!
Pray that the area where I live is safe, no fires, people will be respectful to one another, no drugs, no ill will to anyone.
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!