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Count Your Blessings. “When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,” We tend to count our bruises Sailing references used Master the Tempest is Raging (Mk. 4:35-41) When sorrows like sea billows roll
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Count Your Blessings • “When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,” • We tend to count our bruises • Sailing references used • Master the Tempest is Raging (Mk. 4:35-41) • When sorrows like sea billows roll • James 1:2-4, 12 (look beyond the immediate)
Count Your Blessings • “Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?” • We tend to count our burdens • Continuous obligations and responsibilities weigh us down (job, child’s illness, church problems…) • Follow Me Song 564 “The burden on my weary back had bowed me to despair;” • 1 Pet. 5:6-8, 2 Cor. 12:7-10 “It’s not about me.”
Count Your Blessings • “When you look at others with their lands and gold,” • We tend to count others’ benefits • Envy them and pity us (Rom. 12:15) • In our jealousy we view life as unfair • they do not deserve the prosperity they have • we have been unjustly denied what is owed us • Acts 16:25, 1 Pet. 2:19-25
Count Your Blessings • “So, amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all;” • Ever changing life provides big and small challenges, but God is always there • “O Thou who changest not, abide with me!” • Count YOUR many blessings (James 1:17) • One by one, be specific in your list
Count Your Blessings • Use the alph-blessing list • Assembly, Bible, Creation, Deacons, Elders, • Freedom, God, Heaven, Individuals, Jesus, • Kindness, Love, Marriage, New Testament, • Old Testament, Preachers, Qualifications, • Righteousness, Strength, Tennessee, Unity, • Victory, Worship, Xerox, Youth, Zero (sins)