The Blessed Event

Often there is a struggle inside between what I actually live, and what you read on ENCOURAGE ME. They often do not mesh together. Romans 7:15-20 (CEB) puts it this way:[i]

  ^“I don’t know what I’m doing, because I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do the thing that I hate.  But if I’m doing the thing that I don’t want to do, I’m agreeing that the Law is right.  But now I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it’s sin that lives in me. 

  I know that good doesn’t live in me—that is, in my body. The desire to do good is inside of me, but I can’t do it.  I don’t do the good that I want to do, but I do the evil that I don’t want to do.  But if I do the very thing that I don’t want to do, then I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it is sin that lives in me that is doing it.”

Often times my life more closely resembles these works of the flesh: impure thoughts, idolatry, hatred and fighting, jealousy and anger, constant effort to get the best for [you], complaints and criticisms, the feeling that everyone else is wrong, envy, murder. It needs to be constantly overflowing with these fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.[ii]

 

The three hymns (that I’ve known about since I was a teenager) in their entirety below help us all to remember how crucial it is to be someone who can give and receive encouragement (blessings) as well as contemplate all the good (major and minor) that happen daily.

 

v Verse One

Out in the highways and byways of life,
many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife
making the sorrowing glad.

Chorus
Make me a blessing,
Out of my life
May Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

 

Verse Two

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love;
Tell of His pow'r to forgive;
Others will trust Him if only you prove
true ev'ry moment you live.

Chorus

 

Verse Three

Give as 'twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.[iii]

 

v Verse One There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love; There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above.   Chorus Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need: Mercy-drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead.   Verse Two There shall be showers of blessing, Precious reviving again; Over the hills and the valleys, Sound of abundance of rain.   Verse Three There shall be showers of blessing; Send them upon us, O Lord; Grant to us now a refreshing, Come, and now honor Thy Word.     Verse Four There shall be showers of blessing: Oh, that today they might fall, Now as to God we’re confessing, Now as on Jesus we call!   Verse Five There shall be showers of blessing, If we but trust and obey; There shall be seasons refreshing, If we let God have His way.[iv]   v Verse One   When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Chorus Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.   Verse Two   Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by.   Verse Three   When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold. Count your many blessings, money cannot buy Your reward in heaven, nor your Lord on high.   Verse Four   So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end[v]

 

In 2 Corinthians 9:8 (MSG), the Heavenly Father tells us all exactly how He wishes blessing (and encouragement) to play out in our lives. Are you ready for this?

“God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.” 

 

Jesus, I thank You for being able and willing to bless us. Help us to be appreciative of all You do to make our lives abundant; help us to count our blessings, and give you the glory You deserve. In Christ we pray, amen.[vi]

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[i] The meaning of “blessed event” usually refers to the arrival of a baby, but every day you can be a “bundle of joy” (a newborn baby term) to someone else.

 

[ii] Galatians 5:19-23, TLB

 

[iii] “Make Me a Blessing” by Ira B. Wilson

 

[iv] “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing” by Daniel W. Whittle

 

[v] “Count Your Blessings” by Johnson Oatman, Jr. 

 

[vi] The Duck Commander Devotional,  “More Than We Imagine” January 4, Prayer,  by Willie Robertson