COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS WHEN YOU SEEM DISCOURAGED

 

This beautiful hymn summarizes how you should view life in the midst of uncertainties and challenges. It was written by Johnson Oatman, Jr., son of Johnson and Rachel Ann Oatman. He was born near Medford, N. J., on April 21, 1856. I pray that you will find joy and fulfilment as you meditate on these words of hope.

1 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.

2 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. [Refrain]

3 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. [Refrain]

4 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. [Refrain]

WALKING IN GOD'S LIGHT

Ephesians 5:8-11

Walk in Light

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ¹⁰ finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. ¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 (NKJV)

³For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ⁵not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. ⁷For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

What does it mean to walk in His light? 

Walking in the light means walking in holiness: This refers to bearing the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Being holy means living differently than others. It involves being set apart for God and living a life that reflects His character. I means conducting yourself in the manner Christ would conduct himself in a similar situation.

Walking in holiness means not conforming to the standards of the world, the former lust of the flesh. 

1 Peter 1:13-16

¹³ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;¹⁵ but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Eph. 5:1-11: ⁵ Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

³ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; ⁴ neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be partakers with them.

We are to be imitators of Christ in this present world/ We have been made in His image so we are called to be a reflection of  Him attributes. We reflect His light onto the world where there is so much darkness and hatred. We are God's ambassadors who are to declare His goodness, mercies, love, and kindness, in the society in which we find ourselves. May you be a reflection of God today whereever you find yourselves. Be blessed!