We find ourselves in November with two very important days ahead of us, Thanksgiving and Veterans Day! I don’t know about you but Thanksgiving is to me a day of perspective. Looking back over the year, I can’t help but consider all the blessings that God has given and continues to give. This year brings to mind an old hymn, Count your Blessings. Here are the words in case you haven’t heard it or maybe it has been a while.
“When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.”
Is there anyone who is not touched by at least one of these verses? Especially during the day we live, where daily we find deception, lies, violence and aggression. For the Christian it’s very easy to become discouraged and try to hide from the battles before us. Let me encourage you to count your blessings!

The following are important blessings in my life and maybe you can find them in your life as well. Our Veterans are a blessing. These men and women have stepped up to place themselves in harm’s way in order to defend “The Constitution of the United States of America.” Our freedom, provided by the Veteran, gives you and me the opportunity to worship without fear of physical persecution. Next is family. My wife, children and grandchildren, along with our parents and all the extended family. I’m truly blessed to have them all close by. There are family squabbles but in the end, they always bring us closer. How important is the family? After creation, God established and ordained the family, a husband a wife and their children. Moving along I can always count my health as a blessing. Let me be clear, I’m not the picture of health. But what I have God has blessed in His service and He allows me the ability to remain at a career which has been good to support my family and His work. I am blessed with a good church family as well. We’re a work in progress but I have witnessed this group stick together during some pretty tough times and they have encouraged me to do the same. Gods not finished with us yet and that is a blessing to look forward too.
The list could go on and on but I hope you get the idea? We all have blessings in our lives. Even during the rough times of addiction, financial troubles, health problems, marriage problems or family problems, there are blessings within the difficulties of our daily lives. Search for your blessings, and when you find them thank God for them. Remember the last verse in the hymn above,
“So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.”

As we close I must tell you about the greatest blessing a person can receive, the blessing of salvation by grace and through faith in Jesus Christ. No worldly accomplishment can come close to the miracle of being born again. If you have not experienced it I want to invite you to take time right now and call upon Jesus to forgive your sin ask to be born again by grace, placing your faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. Find yourself a Bible believing, preaching, teaching church and join it, stay there and support it. Seek believer’s baptism as a public testimony of your salvation. Find life as you never believed it could exist! This is Thanksgiving! Enjoy the blessing of your meal and the freedom paid for by our veterans. Take time to remember the blessings in your life and always thank God for each and every one. Until next time may God keep you firmly in His grip!