Bless You!

Acts 3:26 "When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways."

     Bless:   1. To make holy by religious rite; sanctify.
                     2. To invoke divine favor upon.

Our 'nature' is sinful.  We all have struggles of some kind, and at times we may feel as though we cannot overcome the sin that is striving to take control of our lives but thankfully there is hope and a future for us!

This morning as I was reading my bible, this scripture literally jumped off the page at me and spoke to my spirit.  I know God sent his son to die for my (our) sins, but I have never looked at it from the point of view that He sent Jesus to bless me.  I don't know of anyone that doesn't like to blessed by others.  But why would I not see that God sent Jesus to bless me??

How does that make you feel to know that Jesus was sent to bless you; to make you holy; to sanctify you; to invoke divine favor upon you?  Oh, dear friend, He loves you so much that He stepped down from His throne to romance a world that has fallen apart.  How many Fathers do you know that have gave up their sons for you (me)?  Only ONE did that for me and you!  He did it to bless us!

I was reminded of a video that I had watched years ago not long after I had received salvation from the Lord.  This video is an awesome visual of what it may have been like for God to watch his son die for others.  Please watch and be blessed by hopefully understanding more about the love God has for you and His desire to bless you.

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I pray that mine and your heart may be touched and changed today as you see in a different light the action of being blessed by God. 

Thank you Lord for the many blessings you have poured out to me even though I don't deserve them.  I pray that I will consistently turn away from sin that you bring to my attention and that I would know that You are always there loving and blessing me.  Amen!

Praising our King of Kings!
Tonya

Unexpected Blessing!

Last night I had a date night with Camron.  He was so called 'starving' and wanted to eat Chinese.  I was hoping for a quiet dinner with just the two of us but things got interrupted.  The hostess sat us in a booth next to a man that was dining by himself.  Out of the blue, the man began conversing with us.  To be honest, at first I was trying to avoid the conversation but I soon felt the holy spirit leading me to go ahead and engage in talking with the man. 

As we were conversing, Camron piped in and said to the man, "My mom is married.  Do you know my daddy?"  (I couldn't help but laugh silently at his remark)  The man replied that he was not from here and didn't know anyone.  He stated that he travels through many states delivering medical equipment.  

As we prepared our plates and sat down to eat, Camron asked the blessing.  Afterwards, the gentleman asked what Church we went to.  I replied but didn't have time to ask him where he goes to church because Camron was taking control of the conversation.  Camron asked the man where he went to church and proceeded to talk about God with the man.  What a BLESSING to watch my child not be afraid to talk about God with a total stranger in a public place! 

The man finished his dinner and said goodbye.  Camron and I both encouraged him to travel safely as he began his journey on the road back home.  He walked away and Camron and I resumed finishing our meal.  After a few minutes, the man returned and proceeded to tell me that our bill had been taken care of and that he had been blessed so much during dinner conversing with us that he wanted to bless us in return.  I was overwhelmed with shock and humbled to the fact that a complete stranger would want to bless me! 

After the man left, Camron looked at me with his big, brown eyes and said "Mama, that was really nice of that man to pay for our supper."  Together we discussed what a blessing and great example this was of Jesus' love.  I guess Camron really let it soak it in about being a blessing to others because on the way home he put his hand on my shoulder and said to me "Mama, you sure are pretty with your earrings and I am so grateful for you."  Now, you talk about melting a mother's heart!  God knew exactly what He was doing when He surprisingly blessed us with Camron 7 years ago.  He brings so much joy and love into our lives and I am so proud of the young fellow that he is.

Hebrews 13:2  "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

Love in Christ,
Tonya

Appreciation Days...

Last Friday, July 8, 2011, was "Cow Appreciation Day" at Chick-fil-A.  As we arrived, we were shocked at all the vehicles and busyness of this restaurant on the outside.  We parked and approached the entry doors.  It was almost like being in a dream or something as we entered.  As I looked around, I became excited and joyful with the sight of people dressed like cows!  From the youngest child to the oldest elder, there were all these cute t-shirts and costumes of black and white cows.  This particular day represented appreciation to the Chick-fil-A customers.  If you humbled yourself in dressing like a cow, then you would be blessed in return with free chicken!  I have said that Chick-fil-A has had one of the best sale pitches of all times with the whole save a cow and eat more chicken ads.  What a blessing this franchise is to people across our nation.  May God continue to bless Chick-fil-A as it blesses others!

"Food for Thought" - Everyday is 'Appreciation Day' in Christ!  He gives us the 'free' gift of salvation, water for the thirsty, and food for the hungry everyday if we choose to participate in daily living with Him! 

Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

John 4:14 "but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Humbling myself more and more for Him,

Tonya