“How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.”
Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)
As I write, there is a chorus lying before me.
“I am blessed, I am blessed
Everyday that I live, I am blessed.
When I wake up in the morning til I lay my
Head to rest, I am blessed, I am blessed.”
It is true!
Yesterday, Christmas-on-Sunday, the Praise & Worship Center family enjoyed a wonderful worship service. Amidst carols, lighting of Advent candles, and the original biblical story there were shouts of “praise God” and “Hallelujah.” We were truly blessed as we worshipped in a non-traditional, Pentecostal liturgy. The people went away joyously saying, “Pastor, I’m glad you had church today. It was good to be here.”
Then, Bobbie and I returned to our home to be with our children, who also came from church services. We had previously decided to have breakfast instead of the traditional Christmas lunch. So while bacon and sausage sizzled in the skillet and biscuits baked in the oven, we began opening our gifts. Right in the middle of opening them, however, the biscuits and meat was done. So, we stopped opening gifts and set the table, scrambled eggs, poured juice and coffee, and sat down to one of the best Christmas meals ever. We talked and laughed and ate together, enjoying a most precious and blessed time. All our attention was focused on the three people we love the most in this world.
After clearing the table and putting dishes in the dishwasher, we returned to opening the last of our presents and squeals of delight at the surprises in each one. Those gifts are precious and deeply appreciated but the real blessing was the gift of love between us. The gifts of things, though cherished and appreciated, will lose their worth over time. But the memory of a Christmas breakfast enjoyed with my family in love and joy will never lose its value to me. I am blessed, I am blessed! Yes, I am!
Dear Father, thank you for the Savior. Thank you for your grace and mercy in my behalf. Thank you for my wife and children, whom I love with all my heart. They light up my life and make me so proud. Empower me to make them proud of me also. Thank you for the blessings of this Christmas. Grant to me the ability to influence others for your kingdom. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us thank God for his blessings and live to bless him also,
Pastor Smith