If God was to count his blessings

Whenever the year is running to an end, it is usually a strategic time for us to sing our popular chorus … "count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done". We sing this song to remind ourselves of the goodness and faithfulness of God despite the challenges faced during the year. Imagine the table is turned and God was expected to count his blessings and name them one by one, how many will he be able to count from your ends. Will there be records of souls you’ve won, lives you’ve touched, tears you’ve wiped, smiles you’ve broadened, encouragement you’ve given, people you’ve enriched, the needy you’ve helped … Although we can never repay God for all he has done for us, we can appreciate him by extending his love to others. Such appreciations are the blessings he wants to count. © tope_aladenusi

Concerning Them That Are Asleep...

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, THAT YE SORROW NOT, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1 Thessalonians 4:13,14

He tells us not to be sad. The same way Jesus arose from the dead, "them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."

Today when we think about the death and resurrection of Jesus, we rejoice. Because we can relate with the idea of His resurrection at the same time.

If we would think about the resurrection of the saints that are asleep that way, we would rejoice also. Not because they died, but because they will be resurrected in a glorious body.

They have left this world with its trials,temptations and toils, and gone to a place "which is far better." If we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us believe in the ressurection of His departed saints also.

Rejoice!

Jyde

GOD IS FAITHFUL, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:9

FAITHFUL is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

The Bible is full of short, sharp, hard-to-be-misunderstood declarations about God... God is love... ... God, that cannot lie... ...God so loved the world... 1 Cor 1:9 proclaims Him as faithful - a God Who is absolutely dependable! Maybe you've been disappointed by people you thought you could could count on in the past. Maybe your pastor let you down when he should have been providing strong spiritual leadership. Maybe your heart was broken by that man or woman you thought was special. Perhaps your family just failed to be there when you needed them most... Not so with God! The Bible declares Him to be "a VERY PRESENT help in time of trouble!" The One Who called you to come and be a friend, a brother, a companion and a joint-heir with His Son Jesus is ever faithful! The One Who commited a ministry into your hands is faithful! Now, more than any other time, is the time to get more committed to taking your place in the work of the ministry. Now is the time to be more relentless and zealous about bringing in the lost and teaching the church. Now is the time to be more diligent and more dedicated about bringing in God's great harvest. Jyde

Should a believer be aware of the time of his death

“God gives, God takes” is a popular saying whenever someone dies. This statement suggests that God is responsible for the death occurrences we see around. However, John 10:10 says “the thief (devil) came to steal, to kill and to destroy”. This means the devil does some taking. But is he empowered to take just anyone? “No one knows when he would die” is also a famous saying. But John 13:1 says “before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world”. This is a record of someone who knew. Also, Paul said in II Tim. 4:6 “The time of my death is near”. Peter wrote in II Peter 1:14 that “the Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that my days on earth are numbered and I am soon to die”. One thing is common in all these statements. The use of the words “my” & “I” displays knowledge of the time of their departure and their involvement in it. Involvement? When Paul was stoned and assumed to be dead, he did not die. But when Stephen was stoned, he said “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” and he died. Someone says, this is just a bunch of coincidence. May be? Imitators of Jesus Christ are those who want to increase the coincidence tally. Walk closely with God. Never fear death. It’s not meant to catch a believer unawares. When your time is approaching, He will let you know. © tope_aladenusi