From time to time, I like to stop and take stock on how things are going. My favorite place to do that is with the crew of writers and blessing hunters at Friday’s Fave Five. Intentionally looking for at least 5 highlights from their week and then sharing them is their modus operandi.
I want to operate in the same manner – living intentionally and thankfully. There can be no better way to go through this life.
I was thinking of the scriptures in Deuteronomy 28. Basically, the first 14 verses tell you the blessings you will receive if you are obedient and follow God’s commands. Verse 3 tells you:
““You will be blessed in the city, and you will be blessed in the field.”
And verse 6 sums it up:
“You will be blessed when you come in and you will be blessed when you go out.”
Seems like that means a believer is blessed in everythng she does. Read the whole chapter to see all the blessings – and also what happens if you choose NOT to be obedient.
Now, I’m not saying I perfectly obey. I am human, and try as I might, I often mess up. But the Lord knows my heart. He knows it’s my desire to serve Him, and when I accepted Jesus as my Savior, I am now grafted in the vine and counted as one of Abraham’s seed. So, I’m included in the blessings the children of Israel receive. (See Galatians 3:29).
Today’s Blessings
1) I’m blessed in the city. When I visit the towns where I work, I’m thankful. During this time of COVID both my full-time church and my part-time church was blessed by God. Yes, we had fewer people attending during these times but God miraculously provided for both churches. I still have a job, and I’m thankful.
2.) I’m blessed in the field. My house is surrounded by fields! I love my home. It’s my haven and my favorite place to be. God has protected both me and my home.
3.) I’m blessed with my family when I come in my house, and my church family when I come in my church. I love my people. So glad God arranged for us all to be together.
4.) I’m blessed when I go out. Recently I traveled to see my mom in East Tennessee. There were all kinds of adventures going there, including car trouble; but I’m so thankful for a safe, enjoyable and fun time with family.
5. I’m thankful I have a desire to “pay attention to the voice of the Lord my God.” (See Deuteronomy 28:2 AMP) God made me to love the Word. He put that in my heart and promises me blessings will overtake me if I continue in the Word.
Does Everything Go My Way?
Is life all sunshine and roses? No, of course not. Even though I’m blessed, I am still dealing with life. We live in a fallen world. Stuff happens. But the overarching theme of my life is He is working things out for my good.
Join in Sharing your Stuff
So how about you? Can you see blessings all around you? Now is a good time to give Him some praise!If you’d like to join in with sharing the good things in your life, visit Susanne at Friday’s Five Five.
Besides sharing at FFF, I’m linking this post at Grace and Truth, Inspire Me Monday, Blue Cotton Memory, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Tell His Story, Let’s Have Coffee, Recharge Wednesday, Tune In Thursday
~~
Previous Posts:
Thanks for sharing your five blessings. It’s always good to reflect and give thanks, “I want to…live intentionally and thankfully.”
Gratitude lifts the soul!
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa
I just LOVE how you wrote your FFF this week!! Deut is one of my absolute FAVE OT books. have a blessed weekend
So much good stuff in Deuteronomy!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Faith!
A refreshing post, Jerralea! I love your five blessings from today; it must be such fun counting them! Thank you for the reminder that to be blessed doesn’t mean everything goes our way!
Yes, I used to think the blessed life meant a life with no worries. I learned it’s through the struggles that we become more like Jesus.
Glad you dropped in, Donna!
So glad you were able to keep your job during the pandemic. What a neat list of blessings.
Barbara, my church was so good to me. Although they reduced our hours, they kept our pay the same. And God blessed them for it. Our finances at the church are great!
I agree–I am so thankful that God put in my heart the desire to study and know His Word. It’s something I strive to do every day.
How I love where you live, surrounded by the fields. While I can’t live that way, at least I have the gardens around me to bring my joy in God’s creation.
Enjoy your weekend!
I feel being in the Word is the best thing I can do!
Good to see you, Willow!
I love how you took that scripture and applied it to the Friday’s Fave Fives. So many times we read scripture but get hung up in how to apply it to our everyday lives. Thanks for sharing a way to do it! Loved you list!
Susanne! So good to see you! I love it when it is revealed to me how to apply scripture to my every day life. Thank you for hosting a place where we all can share our insights and blessings.
I see the blessings – in the city and in the country, in the fields, within my family. No – life is not challenge-free. Yes, there are hurts – but God uses what Satan does to destroy to grow into something lasting, beautiful, more entwined with Him. Some days there are tears – but in all of it – there is Blessing! There is Him! What a Hallelujah Post you’ve given us – to read your blessings, remember ours – and just praise God over what He does! My soul is smiling leaving here!
And everything He does is good!
Thanks for coming, Mary Leigh.
Such a wonderful post, Jerralea! And it is so true, when we look at the blessings, everything else fades away!
Yes! The challenge is to keep our eyes on the blessings.
Thanks for dropping by, Joanne.
Yes! Our boots on the ground reality is that things don’t always go our way. Even in this there is blessing!
I used to naively think the blessed life meant no conflict. In reality, the blessed life means victory through struggles. It’s the struggles that mold us and shape us into the likeness of Christ.
So good to see you, Michele!