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Showers of Blessing
Summertime, a time for vacations, a time to spend with family and friends, a time for adventure and to travel to other places. In June, I had the wonderful privilege not only to go to New Hampshire but also to officiate at my son and daughter-in-law’s wedding celebration.
While flying back to Colorado, our plane encountered some thunderstorms. Looking out the window, I could see the lightening flashing and the rain pouring down. A few minutes later, we were flying through clouds, and then bright sunshine and a gorgeous rainbow appeared.
A few of the words of a popular praise song filled my thoughts:
“The Presence of the Lord is here;
I can feel Him in the atmosphere.”
Then I started thinking about a portion of the scripture I had read earlier that morning. “There will be showers of blessing.” (Ezekiel 34:26 NIV)
After arriving safely home, I started making a list of some of the multitude of ways that God has and is blessing me. A few of those “showers of blessing” include the following:
Spiritual Blessings—I have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells in me, giving me joy, guidance, strength, comfort, and hope. I am able to call God Abba, Father, and my assurance of my salvation. And His grace, mercy, peace, love, etc. are lavished on me daily. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3 NIV)
Material blessings—I have a nice house to live in with plenty of hot running water for showers, and the things provided by using heat and electricity. I have an abundance of food to eat, nice clothes, a car to drive, and the list goes on and on. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
People—I have a loving family which includes all my relatives, and brothers and sisters in Christ. I have my church family, teachers, mentors, neighbors—all the ones God places in my pathway—and all my special friends that are here and scattered across the United States and around the world. “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24b NIV)
Blessings, the list goes on and on. There are far too many for me to enumerate here in this short devotional. I hope as you read this list, it will remind you of some of the multitude of ways you all are blessed today and every day. I encourage you all to start making a list of your blessings today. Every day add something to your list. Read your list back to God on a regular basis and praise and thank Him for all the wonderful ways He continues to bless you!
“Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man’s behalf! You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance.” (Psalm 66: 1. 5, 12 NIV) You brought us to a place of abundance, to rich fulfillment. This term, rich fulfillment is translated from a Hebrew word, “revayah,” meaning total satisfaction - it comes from a root word meaning ‘quench the thirst’ or to ‘abundantly satisfy.’
Every day is a new day and every day is a gift from God. All life is a gift from God. Every blessing is a marvelous gift from God, I hope that you will rejoice and agree with the psalmist: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 NIV)
Have a wonderful day and enjoy all your special “Showers of Blessing!”
Pastor Betty Weaver
Pastor
First Baptist Church
Center, CO
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