Here in America we have this phrase...
"Count your blessings!"
And, here in America,
we are taught that it means to
"reflect on the good things in your life and to be thankful for them."
Or
"reflect on what you have so you realize how 'lucky' you are."
There's even a song about it, sung by Bing Crosby in the popular Christmas movie, White Christmas. "If you're worried and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep..." It's saying that if you do this, it will bring about a mindset of joy and peace.
No matter how you use it, this modern age has us using this phrase to replace or change something... ungratefulness, negative attitude, restlessness.
And while this all {may} make sense, there is far more to it, than that!
In Luke 14:25-35, Jesus is talking to a crowd of followers and in his message he tells them, "Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters - yes more than his own life - otherwise, he cannot be my disciple." He goes on to tell them that if they TRULY want to be a follower of Christ, they must first consider the cost of committing their life to Christ.
HERE IS THE BIG REVEAL...
He finishes his message by telling them this, "So no one can become my disciple unless he first sits down and counts his blessings - and then renounce them to me."
If we are constantly reminded of what God has given to us, we have no choice, other than to thank Him ... and follow him... and remain in Him!
Then we can truly be His disciples!
So instead of using it as a way to stop or halt something negative, counting our blessings should be the beginning point of our life in Christ. They should be the stepping stones that guide us.
These blessings should ALWAYS be on our minds, so we are constantly offering them up to the Lord for his goodness!
".. O Lord my God, I will keep
on thanking you forever."
~ Psalms 30:12
So go ahead, count your blessings... it may change your heart, your soul, your mind and your relationship with God.
Not to mention... it just might help you become a disciple of God!
"Count your blessings!"
And, here in America,
we are taught that it means to
"reflect on the good things in your life and to be thankful for them."
Or
"reflect on what you have so you realize how 'lucky' you are."
There's even a song about it, sung by Bing Crosby in the popular Christmas movie, White Christmas. "If you're worried and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep..." It's saying that if you do this, it will bring about a mindset of joy and peace.
No matter how you use it, this modern age has us using this phrase to replace or change something... ungratefulness, negative attitude, restlessness.
And while this all {may} make sense, there is far more to it, than that!
In Luke 14:25-35, Jesus is talking to a crowd of followers and in his message he tells them, "Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters - yes more than his own life - otherwise, he cannot be my disciple." He goes on to tell them that if they TRULY want to be a follower of Christ, they must first consider the cost of committing their life to Christ.
HERE IS THE BIG REVEAL...
He finishes his message by telling them this, "So no one can become my disciple unless he first sits down and counts his blessings - and then renounce them to me."
If we are constantly reminded of what God has given to us, we have no choice, other than to thank Him ... and follow him... and remain in Him!
Then we can truly be His disciples!
So instead of using it as a way to stop or halt something negative, counting our blessings should be the beginning point of our life in Christ. They should be the stepping stones that guide us.
These blessings should ALWAYS be on our minds, so we are constantly offering them up to the Lord for his goodness!
".. O Lord my God, I will keep
on thanking you forever."
~ Psalms 30:12
So go ahead, count your blessings... it may change your heart, your soul, your mind and your relationship with God.
Not to mention... it just might help you become a disciple of God!