"We Are So Blessed"

"Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in CHRIST, just as HE chose us in HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before HIM in love. He predestined us to adoption as sons through JESUS CHRIST to HIMself, according to the kind intention of HIS will, to the praise of the glory of HIS grace, which HE freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In HIM we have redemption through HIS blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of HIS grace, which HE lavished upon us."   Ephesians 1:3-8                                                                                    

    Dear Praying Friends and Family,

             You sure blessed  our family during the CHRISTmas holidays as we were honored and privileged to hear from so many of you through beautiful CHRISTmas cards and letters, fellowshipping in your home or at church, or taking time to email and wish us a Merry CHRISTmas.    Thank you so much for being a vessel of GOD's love to us. Your  love and friendship and prayers in CHRIST JESUS means so very much to our whole family and we thank GOD for each of you....we are so blessed by the gift of HIS love through each one of you.

 We are so blessed, by the gifts from Your hand
Just can't understand why You loved us so much.

           Yesterday, our family had the blessing to attend the wedding of Bob Gygax and Laureanne Bond as some of you also attended. What a special blessing from the LORD when GOD leads two young people from godly CHRISTian families to be united as one in HIM, one in heart, soul, mind and purpose to love HIM and serve HIM together.  It was such a blessing to witness the union of these two dear young people and their families.  Afterward's I was so blessed to  hear both Mom's tell of how GOD had led in their children's courtship these past few months to bring them together and  how GOD has used these Mother's to help bring their children together after years of praying for their children's spouses.   It was so neat to be at the Roundhouse in Huntsville where the wedding to place with CHRISTmas trees from family and friends lining the walls, along with decorative cakes that many took time to bake...there were some cakes to die for there...yummy!   There were literally hundreds of brothers and sisters in CHRIST the LORD has brought into our lives throughout our family's homeschool journey.  It was standing room only, with a large crowd of friends from church,  our homeschool coverings and John Mac's work.    John Wilkes honored me by giving up his seat so that i could sit during the wedding.  Truly, it was like a family reunion with the family of GOD and we were surrounded and touched by the love of CHRIST through the wonderful friends HE has brought into our lives in our journey.  Thank you, LORD. We are so blessed...

We are so blessed, we just can't find a way or the words that can say

Thank You, Lord, for Your touch.

     

     GOD has lavished HIS blessings in so many ways, through so many people and circumstances.  A few weeks ago, as I was about to go out and walk and run some errands, my stomach began to hurt badly.  I thought perhaps it was a passing thing so I went ahead and tried to walk...bad idea.    It wasn't long before I was throwing up along the walking trail and by the time I got back, I felt awful.  I was achy, nauseated, and went to bed for the rest of the day as soon as i got home.  Thankfully, Johnny  was home from work that day and he was here to help me.  I don't know what i would have done without him.  I felt so badly and was moaning and groaning without any Aleve in me, which i later found out was the wrong thing to take for a stomach bug.   Johnny took good care of me and did whatever i asked of him.  The next day I felt some better, and was able to get up  and do a few things around the house but by the afternoon, I was feeling badly again.  By Friday I was much, much better, except for feeling dehydrated.  It was past time for my vitamin and mineral IV i take every couple of weeks.     I had to wait  a few extra days to take my IV from my regular schedule because my IV bottles  hadn't arrived yet.  I am so thankful for my doctor and her assistant ordering these for me, when the other place i was getting them was no longer able to order them.  Thankfully, due to my sickness and having to rest, I was able to make it fine, instead of feeling really dehydrated by the time the bottles arrived.  They arrived two days earlier than expected so that was a special blessing. When the nurse came Friday morning to start my IV, she had some difficulty, a lot of difficulty getting it started...my veins kept blowing.  That evening about 6:00 p.m.  three nurses later, the last nurse coming in  from a conference in Birmingham, my IV was started after much prayer and sticking throughout the day, without the vein blowing.  I am so blessed and thankful...that was the weekend of our "Athens CHRISTmas,"  and I was hoping to sing with choir.   I knew and GOD knew I would be really depleted if I hadn't been able to take the IV and HE supplied all my needs in CHRIST JESUS.

When we're empty You fill us 'til we overflow

When we're hungry You feed us, and cause us to know.

     Most assuredly the LORD filled me, with the nutrition from the IV as HE knew what was ahead for me.  In addition to our "Athens CHRISTmas,"  l

 ittle did i know that just an hour or so after i finished my IV I would get a call from  Sherry Moss, a dear prayer warrior, telling me that Mrs. Eudy, one of my spiritual Mom's and long time prayer warrior for our family who has similar health issues to mine, was on her way to the hospital by ambulance with her stomach cramping, weakness and  chest pains.  Mrs. Eudy, a widow, was unable to get in touch with her children, and had no one else to meet her at the hospital who understood her health challenges like I did.  I felt like i needed to be there for her to help out in whatever way i could. Thankfully, due to the IV arriving when it did, and GOD using the nurses to be so persistent to get it going in me, I had the strength and health to be there for Mrs. Eudy that night in the emergency room.  GOD did miracle after miracle that night, answering the prayers of Alice McDow and Sherry Moss that were praying for Mrs. Eudy and me.  After diagnosing Mrs. Eudy with a partial blockage in her intestine, the doctor didn't want her to have anything by mouth.  Mrs. Eudy is on a very strict medication regime and if she varies from it, it can be life threatening for her.  At one point when the doctor told her she couldn't have her meds, Mrs. Eudy told me that this might be it for her and she was dead serious...ponder the pun:).  We called her son in Hawaii who is a pharmacist and is very familiar with his Mom's health issues having grown up with her being sick and he told her to go ahead and take the medicine.  I snuck out of the room to get her some water to take her medicine and by the time I got back, the doctor had okayed it for her to take her medicine with crackers and water and the nurse was giving her medicine when i arrived with a bottle of water hidden in my sweatshirt pocket.  The LORD changed the doctor's heart, and thankfully she had no problems whatsoever taking her medicine.  She was able to continue taking her medicine as she did at home, and did  throughout her hospital stay.  We marveled that night and throughout her five day stay in the hospital the doors that GOD opened for Mrs. Eudy, to make a way for her, and "part the Red Sea."  In answer to more prayers, Mrs. Eudy didn't have to have surgery, as the final x ray showed the "kink" in her intestine was gone...we rejoiced  over and over in GOD answering the prayers of HIS children and unkinking Mrs. Eudy's intestine without surgery which could have been life threatening to her.  HE literally made "the crooked places straight," for her. We are so blessed by a loving FATHER WHO cares so very much for us, and hears and answers the prayers of HIS children when they cry out to HIM.  

We are so blessed, take what we have to bring,

Take it all, everything, Lord, we love you so much.

    Just this past week, I asked you to pray for my dear doctor's administrative assistant who became very sick over CHRISTmas while visiting her daughter in Atlanta.  She was hospitalized for several days with a serious illness.  GOD heard and answered the prayers of HIS children, and has brought healing to Bonnie's body.  She is expected to return to work next week.  Thank you so much for praying for her and for my doctor during her time of sickness.

   A few weeks ago, in fact just a few days before I got sick, Johnny and I were so blessed to  drive up to Nashville to CHRIST Church and hear Taranda Greene sing with their choir for their CHRISTmas special.  It was the first time we have seen her since  her husband, Tony's funeral.  Just this past Wednesday, marked the three month anniversary of Tony's unexpected homegoing to be with JESUS, leaving Taranda at 30, a widow with two small children, Bella, 6 and Josie, 2.  Taranda did a great job singing and Tony was so proud of her I'm sure in heaven as she nailed, "O Holy Night."  He loved her singing that song, and had her sing throughout the year.   After the concert we had a few minutes to visit with her and her sister in law who I had met at Tony's celebration.  Beneath the beautiful smile, was a heart still breaking, yet, carrying on, one foot in front of the other, and "doing the next thing", singing the praises of GOD.   I was glad to learn that she and the girls had moved in with her Mom and Dad  so she has help caring for the girls.  Belle started  to school  as Taranda had been homeschooling her before Tony's death.  Instead of traveling together on a big bus with her family, Taranda travels as a solo artist now...so many changes in their lives. 

       I was so touched last Friday night when I saw a video on You Tube that Taranda had recently done with the Gaither Homecoming Choir.  On it, Taranda is the featured artist singing, "We Are So Blessed."  You will be so blessed as you take time to watch this precious video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jREx4JBzR0.

      I had never heard this song before, but it was so very powerful, as I saw this dear sister in CHRIST, who had recently lost her husband, and whose world was turned upside down, singing the praises of our LORD.  What an example to me Taranda is to sing GOD's praises in the midst of her sorrow. In my own life, instead of grumbling and complaining, over little things, I am encouraged to sing the praises of GOD, and to declare HIS goodness.  

Truly, HIS grace is sufficient, and HIS power is so very strong in Taranda's weakness and yours and mine.  Please  continue to remember Taranda and Belle and Josie in your prayers, along with the entire Greene family.  I know they miss Tony so very much. I miss Tony very much and look forward to being reunited with him and so many other loved ones in heaven.

We are so blessed by the things You have done,
The vict'ries we've won and what You've brought us through.

     After I heard this song, my own heart was encouraged to began thinking about the blessings of GOD in my life this year, among those were both of my children graduating this year, one from high school, and one from college. I can remember wondering if I would make it to see them live to be 4 and 6, and now GOD has proved HIS faithfulness time and time again, bringing all of us to this point in our lives. 

 At this time of year, with the New Year upon us, our family takes time each year to reflect upon GOD's blessings the previous year. Our family has kept family scrapbooks through the years to help us remember, and used our calendar's and pictures to help us remember how very blessed we are by our great GOD and SAVIOR WHO loves us so very much.  

    I read this devotion earlier this week about remembering GOD's blessings, and I pray that it will help prompt your memory as it did mine to remember that "we are so blessed, " CHRIST JESUS.

Remember Past Blessings

Monday, December 27, 2010

by Dr. Paul Chappell

"What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him."

Ecclesiastes 3:9-14

Always keep a humble and thankful spirit toward God's blessings.

Dr. F.E. Marsh, noted author of many biblical study materials, once was asked what blessings God had given in his life. Taking time to think about his answer, Marsh wrote out the following list:

An acceptance that can never be questioned (Ephesians 1:6)
An inheritance that can never be lost (1 Peter 1:3-5)
A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians 1:10)
A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9)
A hope that can never be disappointed (Hebrews 6:18,19)
A bounty that can never be withdrawn (1 Colossians 3:21-23)
A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11)
A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13)
A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27)
A righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21)
A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9)

This year is coming to a close, and we're about to enter a new year full of God's blessings and provisions. But it would do us well to take some time to reflect and remember a few things over the next five days. In a time when most people are making resolutions and looking forward to a new future, take a moment to remember the blessings you've enjoyed in 2010.

God says that all blessings and gifts we've enjoyed are directly from Him, "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end." What good does hard work, long hours, careful planning, a pay raise, and much toil do if God is not in it? Everything good you've been given in 2010 has come directly from God.

Too often we can look back at success and think of our hard work or some genius plan we created that led to success. Businesses thrive on business models, life coaches, and successful methods. They point to man's brilliance to explain success. Don't fall into that line of thinking, but realize that any gain, success, or blessing has been given to you from God.

As you look back at 2010, take a few moments right now to list the blessings you've seen this past year. A birth of a child, a new home, a new vehicle, a raise at work, a new job, the return of an investment, a new friend, a new church, etc. What good has come into your life this year?

God tells us in James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." Make time to thank God for His blessings this past year. Always keep a humble and thankful spirit toward God's blessings.

To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter.

    Our greatest blessings flow from the gift of GOD's SON WHO came to this earth as a tiny baby, born through the Virgin Mary, was crucified on a wooden cross for your sins and mine, and was resurrected three days later.  For all WHO come to HIM in faith and repentance, our sins are cleansed, our black hearts are made whiter than the snow that fell on CHRISTmas Day so beautifully here, and we  are clothed with the robes of JESUS' righteousness and are heirs of GOD. We are delivered from the punishment of hell for our sins, freed from the prison house of our sins that bind us, and made to walk in newness of life and in the power of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

    "For as many as received HIM to them HE gave the right to become the children of GOD, even to those who believe on HIS name." John 1:12

"Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are red like crimson they will be wool." 

                                          Isaiah 1:18

       We are so blessed, even when GOD takes our loved ones HOME to be with HIM, because we know if they are in HIM, they are with HIM, and we will be reunited with them one day soon.  We are so blessed, when our bodies are wearing out and sick from cancer as my friend Shirley is suffering from.  Please remember her and her dear family, as Shirley gets weaker and weaker. 

      "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 

                              2 Cor. 4:16-18 

   

     

We are so blessed, take what we have to bring,

     Take it all everything, Lord, we bring it to You.

    I am so blessed by the love of my LORD JESUS that overflows through the love of my dear family we were blessed to be surrounded with on CHRISTmas, and the love of you our dear friends.  Thank you so much for your faithful prayers for our family and thank you so much for giving us the privilege of praying for you and your loved ones.  Indeed, we are so blessed and we thank GOD for you and your sweet fellowship and faithful service in CHRIST JESUS our LORD.  May you draw closer to CHRIST this new year than you ever have before, as you seek HIM with all of your heart.  My prayer for you as I close is Paul's prayer for the believers in Rome:

     "May the GOD WHO inspires men to endure, and gives them constant encouragement, give you a mind united with one another in your common loyalty to CHRIST JESUS.  And then, as one man, you will sing from the heart the praises of GOD the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST...May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in your faith, that by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope." 

                                                    With all HIS love,

                                                          mitzi

                                                  

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope." Lam. 3:21

    "Remember WHOSE you are and WHOM you serve.  Provoke yourself by recollection, and your affection for GOD will increase tenfold; your imagination will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright."  Oswald Chambers

"For unto us a CHILD is born, unto us a SON is given: and the government shall be upon HIS shoulder: and HIS NAME shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE  MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE   OF PEACE." Isaiah 9:6

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David  a SAVIOR, which is CHRIST the LORD."

                                                       Luke 2:1

"My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that CHRIST is a great SAVIOR." 

        -John Newton, hymn writer of "Amazing Grace"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLdvZ9Tx8ho

"CHRIST is Born" The Greenes