let us forget not all His benefits

This morning I got up with my husband.
I helped him.
I made his coffee and breakfast.
I fed the dogs.
I picked up the house.
I started the dishwasher.

This morning, my husband kissed me before leaving for work.
He took out the trash and recycle bags.
He promised to meet me for a difficult appointment later this afternoon.
He hugged me tightly as we giggled, and nuzzled, and told our special inside jokes together.

And as I later watched the hubs leave for his meeting, it occurred to me how blessed I am.
How rich my life is.
How generous my Creator has provided.

So, I started listing out my thankfulness...
For my husband.
For clean water and food.
For family.
For pets.
I have warm shelter, devices to aid me in cleaning, nearby medical facilities, and laughter in my home.

How daft I can be to overlook these gifts...
Labeling them to seem ordinary, mundane, common, unremarkable.

But they are remarkable.
They are noteworthy and good.
As such, God calls me to think on these things.
To think about Him as their Giver.
To worship and live thankfully.
To bless His Name with all that is within me!

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
(Psalm 103:1-2)

God is the greatest gift giver, isn't He?
His love is durable, lasting, righteous, and healthy for us.
Mind you, this is the same Almighty being praised every moment by angels singing...
"Holy Holy Holy!"
"Holy Holy Holy!"
"Holy Holy Holy!"

That we would be privy to such greatness and love in our lives... unfathomable!!!

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.  (Proverbs 8:17-21)

Yes, Lord... may we no longer forget the credentials of WHOM grants us every earthly treasure!
May we seek your Light every hour and return our hearts in gratitude!
For you are so generous to us.
You love us more than anything else.
How blessed we are to see even a glimpse of your grace.
You are worthy of all our praise.
You are love Most High.
You are all that truly matters.
You are the Light of this world!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.  (John 1:1-4, 9, 16)

I exist because the Light has given me life.
How carelessly I forget that I am to live fully under His Name.
Forgive me, Lord, and thank you for teaching me Your focus.
Remind me to daily claim your wisdom and reward!
I have been granted eternity in Your holy house because the Light made Himself man, died on a cross, and overcame all evil and death so that I may be close to Your presence...
So that I may never be without Your brightness.
So that I may be blessed every hour with Your holiness. (Thank you, Jesus!)

Indeed... "Holy Holy Holy, Lord God Almighty."

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.  And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.  And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.  And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.  And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.  And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.  And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.  And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4)

Friends, let us start every day in worship, for that is what we were created to do.
Let us look around and realize what our great God has generously given each of us.
And let us remember the Word with God... interceding on our behalf.
Praising He who was God, and is God, and forever will be God...
The One who saves us from all sin and promises us a full, satisfying life of eternity under the grace of His endless care.

This is the day to REJOICE!

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 118:1)

Praise ye the Lord. 
Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. 
Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 150)

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:3)

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson