Realizing the Blessings of God

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9

Certainly the weather events of the last few days, underscore the reality of the blessings of God.  In our immediate community we have not had any loss of human life, due to storms, and only minor property damage.  In the region around us there are towns which have had significant damage and loss of life: Hodgenville/E-town, Henryville, IN, West Liberty among others.  Yet most reports coming out from these places are that they are so thankful that there was not more loss of life.  These terrible storms are extraordinary reminders to count our blessings daily. 

Our church continues to illustrate the blessing of God.  The spirit of love that continues to be shown as members have struggles, or as visitors stop by, is God at work.  We stepped up in a big way to help out Brother Dwayne and his family , and on the same day collected one of the largest offerings ever in our church, ready to be used to minister to others.  A great group of Sunday School teachers are teaching a growing number of attendees.  Brother Dwayne continues to preach a Bible-based message of the full God.  We have not achieved “the goal”, but we are doing much of what God is calling us to do. 

Now realizing the blessings we have and the provisions of God, we must not relent in delivering the Gospel.  As the story of the rich man building bigger barns and resting (Luke 12:16-20); we cannot simply stop and admire the blessings around us and fail to continue ministering.  We have not been blessed so that we can live in comfort, it is so that we have resources to be ministers of God’s blessings to others.  The goal of Revelation 7:9 “a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” beckons us to minister constantly to those around us, and to keep reaching throughout the world.  How will we react to these realities?