We bless God when we simply thank him for what he does in our life. Today, I feel the overwhelming desire to bless the Lord for what he has done through our local church (Central Baptist Church) in Ocala, Fl. In the last few weeks, we have seen God answer very specific prayers and work miracles right in our midst. What I will right about will only be a few that I am aware of. I understand that God in constantly doing works in other lives that I am not aware of.
First of all I want to praise the Lord for giving me an incredible wife that shares my heart, drive, and passion for our family and our ministry. What I am able to accomplish for the Lord is in large part due to my wife’s support and desire to see the same accomplished. This is only the work of God, where he takes two people and makes one. If you are reading this an you are unmarried and looking for a mate, may I encourage you to look for someone that shares the same heart for ministry. If you want to plant a church and they want to build a business, more than likely you will struggle to get anything done. God thank you for the wonderful wife you gave me.
Secondly, the greatest desire that I have in the ministry is to be a part of a church that fulfills the great commission-soulwinning, discipling, and doing it again and again. This week God has several people that are doing this at Central Baptist Church. I think of Mark, who joined our church last night. Someone led him to the Lord, as he has been coming to the Loyd’s Sunday School Class and into the preaching service, he has been growing. God has been teaching him truth. Last night he came forward for baptism and to join the church. What make a grown man humble himself before a group of “strangers” and obey God’s word, nothing but the Holy Spirit of God. At this very moment I am on the travel bus with a load of teens headed for the Wilds Camp. It’s 4:30 a.m., half way back in the bus is a young lady that was saved about 3 weeks ago. She came into our youth group a few weeks ago all by herself. Our teens were friendly, helpful, and outgoing. Many of them made her feel welcome and last night she was baptized. Why? Because she just wanted to obey God. She knows very little about the Lord but is hungry for God’s word. I love it when teenagers like this keep coming to our youth group. You know it isn’t for the rock concerts. It is because she desire to hear truth from God’s word. Amen! Back in Ocala, there is a young man that has his heart surrendered for ministry. For three years he ran from the Lord, but tonight he is headed to a Christian college to train for the ministry. What make a young man surrendered to the ministry? God’s loving, longsuffering, gracious work in his heart is the answer. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Other example could be written but time it is almost 5 a.m.
Thirdly, I am thankful for a pastor who is not flashy but faithful. Every week, he studies his brains out so that he can stand behind the pulpit and rightly divide the word of truth. It a society where many preachers spend much of their time golfing, fishing, or compromising doctrine, we are fortunate to have a man of God to lead our church. I am confident in him because I know that he tirelessly walks with God. Bless the Lord for Pastor Andy Bloom.
What about your life? Can you see the blessings of God? Here are some Bible reasons to bless the Lord.
1. Bless the Lord because he fills you up. De 8:10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
2. Bless the Lord Because He is Great. Ps 104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
3. Bless the Lord Because he will not abandon you. Ge 24:27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.
4. Bless the Lord because he saved you. Ex 18:10 And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
-Ru 4:14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
5. Bless the Lord because of the children he has given you. 1Ki 5:7 And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.
6. Bless the Lord because he speaks to us through his word.1Ki 8:15 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,\
7. Bless the Lord because he will always do right. Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
8. Bless the Lord because he keeps his word. 1Ki 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
9. Bless the Lord because he protects us from the enemy. Da 3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
10. Bless the Lord because he daily loads us with benefits. Ps 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
I believe God is working in our lives daily, but many days we never take time to notice. It’s easy today because of these mountain top experiences, but even in the valleys God is good. Take some time today to bless the Lord by counting your blessings.
David’s prayer for his son Solomon - O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee: 19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.
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