6-Jan-15

Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. Galatians 3:7-9Blessed.  Have you ever known the state of being ‘blessed’?  From the time I was a little girl, I pondered the plight of Abraham.  Why would God ask Abraham to leave all he knew, his home, and travel to an unknown land?  Where would he find the strength to obey?  Why would Abraham obey? Would I have obeyed – without a more sure Word than — Go! — from strangers?  How would I have known that word was from God?Blessedness is a basket filled with concepts of believe, trust and faith. Being blessed is the joy that Isaac and Jacob knew — blessed by their fathers.  Blessedness for me is awaking and finding a white world outside, and then seeing tire tracks and snow swept and shoveled from the walkway and the driveway by an Angel.  Blessedness for me is waking at 1:11 and 5:50 am by my husband, ravaged by dementia, asking, “Are you OK?”  Blessedness for me is knowing the love of God and the echo of His love in family.  Blessedness is seeing the Hand of God through brothers and sisters in Jesus, the world over and through answered prayers.  Blessedness for me is having Jesus-Joy deep inside and  peace, a result of belonging to Him.King David knew!  None can compare with You.  Never will I be able to declare all Your Deeds that You have done to bless me.  I love you, Lord, and I lift my hands to worship you, Oh my Lord.Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:4-5