Count your blessings!

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name. Hebrews 13:15

Good morning, friends.

Last year I bought a very big diary. But I’ve not used it to the full extent. I’ve scribbled some prayer points, some devotionals, some daily experiences for the first few days. That’s all. When I looked at it a few days back, I opened it again and when I started reading all the prayer points with a pen to tick whichever has been answered by the Lord, I couldn't stop praising Him. It reminded me of the days when me and my friend woke up and sang some songs, read few passages with partial sleep and prayed for many prayer points. We finished one notebook very sooner and almost all the prayer points were marked with a tick, which showed us the Lord's faithfulness in answering our prayers.

I had the same experience when I read this new diary. For some of my friends I've prayed for their marriages and even before I started praying to the Lord they would have kids, they were pregnant and gave birth to wonderful kids. For some of my friends I've prayed for jobs, whereas now I pray for their promotions/confirmations. And much more to mention here. Not even at a single point of time, I put a wrong mark (a cross mark) saying that the Lord has rejected the prayer requests.

Friends, just start thanking Him for what He has done to you so far. If you're not having a grateful heart, here comes a beautiful way to be thankful. Just start counting the blessings one by one. You'll be filled with joy and will have a grateful heart even before you cross five. The song 'Count your blessings' tell exactly what we've to do when we're troubled with lot many things.

Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your blessings, see what God hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Sometimes you may forget what you prayed for, but the Lord will never forget it. He’ll answer it in His own way! I’ve experienced it in my life many times. Here comes the vital question. Is there no prayer point that is not marked at all? Yes, I do have. But I believe that the Lord is preparing them and will hand it over to me at the right time. It’ll be granted at His own time. Sarah & Abraham after a long waiting got Isaac who was the father of nations. Elizabeth and Zachariah after a long waiting gave birth to John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus in the wilderness. Hannah got the great Prophet Samuel after a long waiting. Do you understand one thing? If something is getting delayed, there will be a special blessing definitely. In my fellowship, we love the phrase, “The longer the waiting time/preparation, the better the future is.” The one who carried you thus far is more than faithful. So never give up!