Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Blessed

In follow-up to this past Friday’s Challenge I thought I would ask, do I feel blessed? Do you feel blessed?

When I read in Matthew chapter 5 I am realizing that feeling blessed has nothing to do with me, but Him. Read this passage and listen with your heart.

Matthew 5 (The Message)
You're Blessed

When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.


Do I feel blessed?

Here are a few ways I feel blessed today:
*I feel blessed to be loved by my God

*I feel blessed to have a healthy, fun and happy family

*I feel blessed to have this blog and to have received an award from Lee at Prayer Gifts (http://prayergifts.blogspot.com/)

*I feel blessed that Cindy had visited my blog and gave me the opportunity to have a new friend and lift her up in prayer. (Army Brats and Me http://armygirlsx4.blogspot.com/)



Do you feel blessed?

16 comments:

Sue J. said...

The word bless has its origins in the word for blood, as in sprinkling an altar with blood to consecrate. When I first discovered that, I had to ask myself if I was throwing around the term blessing with such abandon that it lost its meaning.

Can we experience or give blessing without realizing that without His shed blood, we are nothing?

Praise God for His Word today and for your thoughtful follow-up! (And continued prayers for Cindy, as she truly is not alone, even in this valley.)

Joyful said...

Blessed today to have my son home one more day before returning to school tomorrow.

I feel blessed beyond measure, but regardless of how I feel, I KNOW I am blessed. God's Word tells me that I am blessed.

I pray that every blessing God pours out into my life, I'll turn back to praise.

Thanking Him,
Joy

Edie said...

Providence - I am doing a study on integrity with our church. Last night I went to our leadership meeting. I hadn't yet had a chance to look at this week's study but something brought the Beatitudes to my mind earlier in the day and I wondered if that was the study for the week. I opened the study guide and it was. Then I began reading the story at the begining of the study and it was as though written about me. Not just "like" my circumstances but they "were" my circumstances.

When I left to go home, Tony Evans came on the radio with a message on the Beatitudes and being blessed. So I pop in over here and your post is again about the Beatitudes and being blessed.

Am I blessed? How can I not be with God paying so much attention to me in these circumstances. Thank you sister. - Be Richly Blessed!

Kristen said...

I am blessed today to serve the Lord in a job that I love (even with the down real estate market)

I am blessed by the Lord as He has placed me in a wonderful family and I have wonderful friends!

I love that I have learned today about the word bless having it's origins from the word blood. Blessings come from the Father - just as our salvation comes from the Father from the atoning blood of Christ!

I am also blessed by your blog!

God Bless You sister!

Runner Mom said...

I feel blessed to have discovered so many sisters in Christ through blogging!! It blows me away! Thanks Nichole for this great post!

Love ya,
Susan

Kelly said...

After a rough childhood, I feel truly blessed every day. Some days I may not appreciate it as much as others - but I know that every single day is a blessing.

Kelley said...

Counting your "blessings" is such a great exercise and can instantly change your attitude! Thanks for that reminder, I probably need to do a little of that exercise myself! One thing I know, I am blessed way beyond what I deserve!

The Patterson 5 said...

We are all blessed by the blood of Christ. I did not know the origin of blessed until reading Sue J comment today. With out the blood of Christ there is no blessing.
When we are at our weakest He is strong. I like the Message's translation about being at the end of your rope-we've all been there. I ask myself did I feel blessed? Shouldn't I feel blessed in those circumstances? I may need some attitude adjustment! Thanks for the nudge for me to study the Be- attitudes. May I ponder mine awhile.

Jami said...

thanks for being a blessing to me!

Sarah Martin said...

I loved the Message version of this passage, it was the first time I have read it in the Message. I feel blessed because I started my first day back to work after maternity leave and my little boy had a great day at the baby sitter-THANK YOU LORD!

Thanks for the post!
love,
sarah

LeeBird3 said...

Thank you Sue J, for blessing us with knowledge God has already shared with you.

Last night, I was blessed with eye-popping new truths from an out-of-print book, "Holy Sweat," by Tim Hansel. In holy highlighter, God revealed quotations from that book that will perfectly fit the theme of the book I'm writing.

I feel immensely blessed to be meeting so many new sisters-in-Christ through She Speaks and blogging....you get me, you really get me!

Anonymous said...

I am truly blessed to know my daughter is so in Love with her Father in heaven. I'm blessed to be a witness of such a lovely ministry.
You bless Him, and that is truly the biggest, best, most beautiful blessing of all...

Jamie said...

I loved reading those scriptures in the Message. I am definitely blessed...beyond measure!

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

Yes, I feel blessed! Blessed with a good husband, six precious children, a wonderful extended family and our salvation with the peace of God to go along with it! I'm blessed with my friends, both in person and bloggie, I am blessed to be able to write for Him! The list could go on, but I'll stop here.

love,
Sonya

My ADHD Me said...

It's always good to remember that we we are blessed. It's easy to get caught up in the same day to day blahs and forget that God blesses us everyday.
I feel blessed that the kids made it through their first day of school without incident. Also, blogging has become a blessing as I have learned so much.

My Army Brats and Me said...

I will have my results later on my bone scan. Thank you for surrounding me with love and prayer. It is going to be a long road but I am ready.

Love Cindy