Sunday, February 20, 2011

Count the Blessings

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

How many times do we think about not having the things that we want? We often go through life dreaming to fulfill our emptiness or find contentment and pleasure.

Sometimes it is easier for us to see the good in others than to see the best in us. We often, see things that we do not have. When we focus on what we do not have, we may find that we are less than others.  We may think that we are not blessed.

It will be very difficult to feel and appreciate the goodness and grace of God if we concentrate our attention to the thing we are waiting to happen. As we wait for specific requests and prayers to be answered, we loose sight of God’s work in our lives.

Let us count the blessings that we have today. It can be the food you have to eat, the water you drink, the commute to the office, the health you are enjoying now. The love of a family member and the simple things that make you smile.

To appreciate the blessings that we have in our life will put us in a state of gratitude. In this state, we are building a stronger bond with God. We become thankful. We learn to trust in Him and we increase the level of faith we keep in
Him. To count the blessings we have now, will teach us to rely on Him no matter what.

When we count our blessings we realize that we are loved. When all is said and done, as we focus on our gifts from God, we learn to find true contentment. We are secure, knowing that he already provided for us and will continue to do so. When we count our blessings we see how God moves in our lives. We will see the miracles He already done for us.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

By Faith

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Many times in our life, our choices and decisions are based on logical computations, calculations and planning. We look at all the angles, check the historical data and make calculated projections before moving on with a business or an investment. It gives us a sense of security. It gives objective to the task at hand. It is the most normal and/or logical thing to do to succeed.
Now, Faith gives a different dimension on how we do things. It is not calculated or logical.
It is by faith that one gives more of himself. It is blind, no projection of the future and no historical data. It is by faith that we learn to fall deeply for God. It is by faith that we become extra-ordinary and somewhat crazy.
Faith is like love. When we fall in love, we do crazy and illogical things, we become extra-ordinary. It is by faith that we are called to follow Jesus and his ways.
Jesus, many times gave emphasis on faith. Remember that wedding, where Mary, Jesus’ mother told him that there was no more wine (John2:1-11), and the Centurion who came to Jesus (Luke 7:1-10) and when Jesus appeared to Thomas (John 20:24-29).
It is by faith that we become fully dependent to the Lord our God. It is by faith where we can become stronger. It is by faith that we can go beyond the material things. It is by faith that we can become extra-ordinary. By faith we are rewarded.