counting my blessings

 Friday, November 15, 2024 (4:03 a.m.)

♪It’s like it was yesterday I was praying for a miracle Scared to have a little hope And now looking back today Seeing all the things You’ve done I can’t even add them up One, two, three up to infinity I’d run out of numbers Before I could thank You for everything God, I’m still Counting My Blessings For all that You’ve done in my life The more that I look in the details The more of Your goodness I find♪

Thank You God! I am grateful for Your work in my life. In my heart. Soul. Mind. Strength. In my love. And my laughter. You are here in it all Dear Lord. Thank You.

(4:35 a.m.)

Lord, You provide us people. Places. Things. Hope. Truth. Promises. Your will. Your way.

(6:00 a.m.)

Here I am. Back again. This time with a warm mug in my hand and a huge smile on my face. Heart. And soul.

Thank You Father. I am STILL counting my blessings!

♪Father on this side of heaven I know that I’ll run out of time But I will keep counting those blessings Knowing I can’t count that high♪

Reading this next section of the song instead of singing it, still I am smiling. “And I know that seasons never last forever So, God I will remember all of the reasons My heart has to be grateful All the times You’ve been faithful” Wait for it… “to me”!

You are such a personal God and Father. You care. You provide. And we are to be zealous (Revelation 3:19) in return.

That’s quite a powerful punch You pack there Lord. Right to the gut. Or wherever it is that our tears originate. 

One minute I’m reading various translations of the above verse, and the next? Words written by a much loved daughter in regards to her recently passed father.

Lord, You know how flighty my brain works. Thinking seriously about one thing before suddenly switching gears and looking in 10 different directions. All at once.

Thank You that more important than Your merely knowing us, You love and forgive us. Our every single fault.

Bringing me right back to Revelation 3:19. And the smile grows even larger! As does the blessing count.

King James Version “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent.”

Legacy Standard Bible “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent.”

The Living Bible “I continually discipline and punish everyone I love; so I punish you unless you turn from your indifference and become enthusiastic about the things of God.”

Yes! Language I better understand.

The Message “The people I love, I call to account - prod and correct and guide so they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!”

Holy God, You provide us little glimmers of understanding. Just enough to direct us back to You.

Names of God “I correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this seriously, and change the way you think and act.”

One of the blessings I am most grateful in counting is the fact that You never leave us alone in our changing. It’s not up to us to try harder in any area. We just have to turn to You with everything. Take our hands off. And wait for You to guide and direct us.

Thank You Father that even [ESPECIALLY!] when we get tired in the waiting, You never waver. You don’t abandon nor forsake us. Thank You God.

New Century Version says, “I correct and punish those whom I love. So be eager to do right, and change your hearts and lives.”

I confess. I thought that last s was a typo. You know? “Change your hearts and live.” I see the difference. Yet both make sense to me. 

Thank You God that we are even allowed to question You about Your Word. These various rephrasings just keep getting better. And better!

New Life Version “I speak strong words to those I love and I punish them. Have a strong desire to please the Lord. Be sorry for your sins and turn from them.”

New Living Translation “I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”

Father, I cannot thank You enough for teaching me new things. Especially when I think I know so much!

New Testament for Everyone “When it comes to my friends, I tell them when they’re in the wrong, and I punish them for it; so stir up your spirits and repent!”

The Voice “Those I love I also correct and discipline. Therefore, be shamelessly committed to Me, and turn back.”

You ARE Who matters! Above all else. You are Who we are to glorify and enjoy. Now. As well as forever.

Worldwide English (New Testament) “I tell off and punish the people I love. So get busy and stop doing wrong.”

The more I read, the more deeply Your Truth speaks. Speak Lord. Speak that I will hear. And change!

Amplified Bible “Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self - your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior - seek God’s will].”

Yes please Lord!

The Passion Translation “All those I dearly love I unmask and train. So repent and be eager to pursue what is right.”

Unmask and train me Lord. Exactly as You know is best. Do all You must that I will love as You command. You. Others. Myself. With all my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31).

I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(964 words ~ 7:28 a.m.)