Good evening all

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of Hs benefits..." Psalm 103:1-2.

I have been working through some thoughts all day, really the last two days. Remember the missionary I spoke of and her list of nevers? Well, number 4 is "Never allow yourself to wish this or that or that had been otherwise." That is big! Really? Here I was cleaning the house, after exercising and pushing myself through. Honestly, I woke not so determined. Realizing this attitude would lead me to complaining, I just moved forward. Meditating on the Word in Philippians 4:6-8 helped. 

Now it is dinner time. I made a chicken, black bean chili and some cornbread for dinner. Well, the chili was looking to give me a belly ache so I sent it to the grandkids. They love hot stuff! For dinner, my husband is doing leftovers and I am eating cottage cheese and an apple. I am so thankful that we have other choices today whether it is what we think, how we respond or even what to eat.

Wishing for something else in my life sure doesn't make things better. Longing for another place, another circumstance just leads to my moaning. The weather will not allow me a walk outside because the air chills the lungs. Yet, I have had much to keep me while inside. Inspite of this very long day I get to make a decision. What can I do instead? The scripture that I just shared from Psalm 103!

So let's think about this. I first off think the writer was struggling too, because he said it twice for emphasis. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Some days are like that. Then he continued to make a list. Lists are good. Mostly I make lists about things to do, places to go and grocery lists. It isn't often there is a list of the blessings. It is not a new idea at all but, rather needed in my life right now. What would be on your list? It may be just that one important thing.

God has allowed circumstances in our lives. Without even thinking about the past years, only today, we can see His hand extended to us. He longs to convey His great Love and support to each of His children. We can freely bring to the Lord the "This, that or otherwise." Praise the Lord! Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget none of His benefits!

The thing is, what will we choose? Our position is what I see in the hymn, "Be thou my vision." Verse 2 says, "Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord; thou my great Father, and I thy true son, Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one." Good words aren't they?  We are in the place to believe it or reject it. The whole thing! The fact that, He is Wisdom and the True Word that frees us to see clearly, that He Lives in us and we in Him. Amen?

So, the Truth is what makes us free. Verse 3 of the song says, "Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise; thou mine inheritance now and always; thou and thou only first in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure thou art." Which would you rather have? The High King of heaven or the riches and praise from man? The Bible says in Matthew 6:21..."For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Pretty simple isn't it? Either we store up treasures in heaven which cannot be destroyed or we gather the earths treasures of power, praise and prestige which will only die in time. 

I really didn't know where this study today would lead me. But, I see how much difference there is with the gifts of God, His blessings compared to anything I could possible wish for here in this place called Montana. A change in my circumstances is not going to bring peace. Peace is found right in the middle of them. Whether it is a dinner that turns out to be a blessing to someone other than myself, or what appears to be fruitless use of time, when it is not. God is still the blessed controller of all things. This I believe.

Reading verse 22 of Matthew 6..."The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your entire body will be full of light." Hey, this is awesome as it relates to the hymn on my heart these days! Thank you Holy Spirit for being teacher and vision healer! We really can see clearly what God wants to do with our lives! 

I have some notes at the bottom of the page in my Bible. Spiritual insight can be clouded by thoughts and desires. Self serving desires, interests and goals block that vision. Restore it by serving God. This can really be what keeps us from having a deeper relatonship with the Lord. So, what my heart is hearing tonight is, where am I storing treasures? Who holds the strings of my heart? And, who am I serving first?I so pray it is the High King of heaven! 

As you go to sleep tonight take time to Bless the Lord with all your heart. Take your soul before Him and give Him honor and praise for the circumstances you are in right now. You will become stronger and grow in courage. Satisfaction will be guaranteed! Because in Jesus we have all we need. God is truly good! Why not bless Him?

By the way, my dinner of cottage cheese and an apple was very satisfying. I ate with thanksgiving and know the Lord provided just what my body needed. Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget none of His benefits!

Abundance is...what He places before me