Sunday, November 15, 2015

Bless, Blessed & Blessing

by Angie Ouellette-Tower for http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/ photo SundayBless_zpsbdhauamy.jpg

Bless, Blessed & Blessing

We are less than two weeks away from celebrating the American Thanksgiving Holiday.  This is a time to be thankful for all of God's blessings.

I started to think about the word "bless."  I use variations of the word "bless" often:  "God bless you" or "Have a blessed day" or "Wishing you God's richest blessings."  I started to think that maybe I wasn't using this word properly, so let's start at the basics by looking up the meaning of these 3 words: bless, blessed & blessing (meanings found in Merriam-Webster & freedictionary online).

BLESS - to hallow or consecrate by religious word or rite
- to confer prosperity or happiness upon
- to invoke divine care for

BLESSED - held in reverence
- honored in worship
- bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune

BLESSING - to request of God the bestowal of diving favor on
- to extol as holy;  glorify
- to bestow good of any kind upon

After reading these definitions, my mind immediately started reciting the "Beatitudes" (part of Jesus' sermon on the mount).  (I had to look up the word "Beatitude" in the dictionary also - it means "supreme blessedness") 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven."  Matthew 5:3-12

What this passage of scripture says to me is that life on earth is extremely difficult and often painful.  However, because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross we will have eternal life!  
Great is our reward in heaven!
In the wake of what happened in Paris two days ago, I feel it even more necessary to be thankful for what God has done for us.  To focus on His many blessings.

"There will be showers of blessing" Ezekiel 34:26
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Take Up The THANKFULNESS Challenge!
I challenge you to thank God for something everyday for one year!  Either write it down in a diary OR If you have a blog & would like to share your THANKFULNESS posts with us, then please fill out this form: 365 Days of Being THANKFUL form - click HERE

and you will be added to the THANKFULNESS page.

THANKFULNESS Challenge
Over the past year I have been writing a blog post everyday thanking God for something in my life - I challenge you to do the same!  You don't have to have a blog to take up this challenge - just write your "THANKFULness" statement down in your diary.  Everyday record something that you are thankful for on that day - it doesn't have to be some huge happening - being thankful in the small things is just as important as being thankful in the big life changing events!

Being thankful really is a way to worship God.  If you take up this challenge you will be amazed!  (I am not going to give you details just because it is so precious and private and everyone is different.  What I experienced might not be the same as what you experience).  Again, the most difficult part is going to be showing your thankfulness during difficult times.   Accepting the difficult times knowing that God is in control and knowing that He has a purpose for everything!
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Thank You.

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