June.25.04: Light for the Day - "Blessing" -- Ephesians 1:3 "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." ------------ When you think about counting your blessings, your mind most likely turns to those you can see – a warm place to live, food in the fridge, friends and family to hold you close.   But the blessings God showers on you every day go far beyond what you can touch with your hands. God’s blessings include miracles like the process of prayer, a future home in heaven, and God’s ultimate gift of salvation. Although blessings like these are really more than the human mind can understand, they are also easily taken for granted.  Take time right now to send God a heartfelt thank you note, via prayer. Ask Him to help your gratitude grow by making you increasingly more aware of every blessing He brings your way. -- G’s DA --------------- Reflect upon your present blessings,of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some -- Charles Dickens The more we count the blessings we have, the less we crave the luxuries we haven't -- William Arthur Ward -------------------- -- Numbers 6:24-26 24 "The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." -- Psalms 33:12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance." -- Job 5:17 "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty." -- Psalms 1:1-3 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. -- Matthew 5:2-12 "2 And Jesus began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." -- Luke 6:28 "Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." -- Psalms 118:26 "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.  From the house of the LORD we bless you." -- Psalms 84:12 "O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you."