Advent Series ~ Day 19 ~ BLESSINGS

25 Days of God Given Gifts

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in him. 

Jeremiah 17:7

One of the definitions of blessings is defined as:
A favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.

Our natural tendency is to focus on our problems and how to solve them rather than focusing on the blessings and giving God our problems to solve.

We’re told in Psalm 68:19 that God LOADS us DAILY with benefits. What if we stopped and really thought of our blessings for the day? My blog name as you probably know, is Little Birdie Blessings. If I had a mission statement, part of it would be to encourage others to focus on their blessings.

We can let our troubles overcome us or we can choose to overcome them.

Life is not easy and problems face us every day. It’s often out of those struggles we find our greatest blessings.

When you and I are related to Jesus Christ, our strength and wisdom and peace and joy and love and hope may run out, but His life rushes in to keep us filled to the brim. We are showered with blessings, not because of anything we have or have not done, but simply because of Him. ~ Anne Graham Lotz ~

Why not start the new year with a blessings journal. Write something in it every day. Some days are harder than others to recognize a blessing, but they are there. As we approach Christmas day and a new year, join me in slowing down long enough to focus on our blessings and reflect on today's verse from Jeremiah 17:7 - Blessed is the one who TRUSTS in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Did you get that? We place our TRUST and CONFIDENCE in God, and He will bless us. I know that to be true!

Thank you dear ones, you are all blessings to me.

PREVIOUS ADVENT DEVOTION LINKS HERE

Day 1 ~ ABUNDANT LIFE

Day 2 ~ COMFORT

Day 3 ~ DELIVERANCE

Day 4 ~ STRENGTH

Day 5 ~ GRACE

Day 6 ~ WISDOM

Day 7 ~ PRAYER

Day 8 ~ SALVATION

Day 9 ~ PEACE

Day 10 ~ LOVE

Day 11 ~ REST

Day 12 ~ HOPE

Day 13 ~ BIBLE
Day 14 ~ FAITH
Day 15 ~ JOY
Day 16 ~ REFUGE
Day 17 ~ PROVIDER
Day 18 ~ MERCY

Two FREE printables that go with this series. You can find download links here:

http://bit.ly/FREEadventgraphics

These images are free for personal use, ministry use, or for gifting. Not to be sold. If you share the images on your blog, a link back would be appreciated. Please do not copy my entire posts to your blog. Thank you. 

I will be posting this until Christmas here on my blog. You can follow this series your favorite way. 

Links are below:

Little Birdie Blessings by EMAIL

Little Birdie Blessings -
FACEBOOKLittle Birdie Blessings INSTAGRAM

Free ~ Blessed Hymn Art

For most, life is a struggle. even for the rich and famous. Turning to God as a source of help and comfort can lessen the heaviness of our hearts. Join me today in looking for God's blessings in unexpected places. Like the song says "and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done." Have a blessed day my friends. 

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.
~ Johnson Oatman, 1897 ~

You can find the full lyrics here: COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Ephesians 1:3 ~ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

This hymn graphic is free to you for personal or ministry use. Let me know if you have any questions. From you computer, click on image for largest size, right click and save to your computer. Print out for cardmaking, to insert in a card, bible journaling, and more.

25 Days God Given Gifts - Day 19 - BLESSINGS

Day 19 ~ Unwrapping the Gift of:

BLESSINGS

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
Jeremiah 17:7

One of the definitions of blessings is defined as: 

A favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.

Our natural tendency is to focus on our problems and how to solve them rather than focusing on the blessings and giving God our problems to solve.  

We’re told in Psalm 68:19 that God LOADS us DAILY with benefits. What if we stopped and really thought of our blessings for the day. This blog is called, as you probably know, Little Birdie Blessings. If I had a mission statement, part of it would be to encourage others to focus on their blessings.

We can let our troubles overcome us or we can choose to overcome them.

Life is not easy and problems face us every day. It’s often out of those struggles we find our greatest blessings.

Christian songwriter, Laura Story wrote the song Blessings during her husband’s treatment for brain cancer.  She sings what if trials of this life, are your mercies in disguise.   

Have you ever thought that YOU are the blessing for someone else?

What would it take to lift someone's spirits
. . a kind word ... a smile ... a forgiving heart?

This hymn Make me a Blessing written in 1909 by Ira Wilson, pretty much sums it up:

Out in the highways and byways of life,

Many are weary and sad;

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,

Making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,

Out of my life may Jesus shine;

Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

And of course, don't forget the hymn Count Your Many Blessings, a favorite among my church family. (Wonder where they got that from?)

Why not start the new year with a blessings journal. Write something in it every day. Some days are harder than others to find something, but they are there. Here's a blessings journal I made some time ago covering a notebook with scrapbook paper.  I glued a couple buttons on, added a verse and some elements. Notice the little bird down in the corner.

As we approach Christmas day and a new year, join me in slowing down long enough to focus on our blessings and reflect on today's verse from Jeremiah 17:7 - Blessed is the one who TRUSTS in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Did you get that? We place our TRUST and CONFIDENCE in HIM and he will bless us.  I know that to be true!

Thank you dear ones, you are one of my blessings.

No Luck Here

My friend and I were tweens when she was given a birthday card by a youth leader.  The card had the words "good luck" crossed out.  The woman told my friend she didn't believe in luck. We thought she was a little wacky for thinking that.  

About 38 years have passed since I was a tweenager (you're doing the math aren't you?) and I can tell you the trials have been many.  Have I been unlucky? Some might think so.  If I were to compare blessings vs. trials in two columns, the blessings would far outweigh the trials.  I've been blessed beyond measure. 

Look for your blessings today, write them down.  Look for your blessings tomorrow, write them down.  Do this everyday in a special notebook.  I guarantee your spirits will be lifted.

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.
Johnson Oatman, Jr, 1897

Have a blessed day my friends.

25 Days of God Given Gifts - Day 19

Day 19 BLESSINGS But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7

You can follow this Advent series

by clicking on the links below:

25 Days God Given Gifts on Blog

25 Days God Given Gifts on Facebook
25 Days God Given Gifts on Pinterest

I've had a lot of response as to how people are using the graphics in these series, such as:

art journaling
bulletin boards
ornaments
magnets
stickers
a small gift box as a gift to oneself or others
Scrapbooking a page per gift
tags for gifts
sharing through email, facebook, blogs

Please tell me the ways you've been using them, would love to hear. My friend is maintaining a bulletin board in her church with the graphics each day. Here's a picture:

I'd appreciate a prayer from you as I wrap up the last week in this series. It's been challenging, but very rewarding. The graphics are not made in advance, they have been made one day ahead of being posted.  Making the graphics is time consuming, some take longer than others, but it's something I enjoy doing. They have been so well received, it's been worth it.

One of my readers commented:
Mercy..."His mercy rewrote my life" as the song goes... This is such a pretty graphic...that's what I see first. The graphics are a perfect vehicle for sharing God's Word. 

That pretty much sums up how I feel about the graphics in this series.

Thank you! 

Thankful for the Blessings

One of the definitions of blessings is defined as: 
A favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness

Our natural tendency is to focus on our problems and how to solve them rather than focusing on the blessings and giving God our problems to solve.  I have tried to do just that, to shift my focus away from my problems and give thanks and praise to God for my blessings.

We’re told in Psalm 68:19 that God LOADS us DAILY with benefits.

I am all about looking for blessings every day and encouraging others to do the same. It wasn’t always like that for me but life has a way of giving us choices to make. We can let our troubles overcome US or we can choose to overcome THEM.

Life is not easy and problems face us every day
• our health
• finances
• relationships

It’s often out of those struggles we find our greatest blessings.

Christian songwriter, Laura Story wrote the song “Blessings” during her husband’s treatment for brain cancer.  She sings “what if trials of this life, are your mercies in disguise”.  

Parapalegic and author Joni Eareckson Tada says: 
To give thanks is not the same as “feeling thankful.” To give thanks in the midst of pain and problems is to take a step of faith based on the command of
1 Thessalonians 5:18: God tells us to give thanks in all circumstances (not just those we can handle or feel on top of). For what things can you give thanks, even while you’re hurting? 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As we approach this Christmas season and our lives are filled with hustle and bustle.  Let's slow down long enough to see the blessings God has given us each day.  Write them down….they are there for you to enjoy.  Train yourself to have a spirit of gratitude by acknowledging God’s abundant blessings in all circumstances. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Hymn Make Me a Blessing

So much hurt and troubles held inside by so many.


What would it take to lift someone's spirits
. . a kind word ... a smile ... a forgiving heart?

This hymn Make me a Blessing written in 1909 by Ira Wilson, pretty much sums it up:

Out in the highways and byways of life,

Many are weary and sad;

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,

Making the sorrowing glad.

Chorus:
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,

Out of my life may Jesus shine;

Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,

Tell of His pow’r to forgive;

Others will trust Him if only you prove

True, every moment you live.

Give as ’twas given to you in your need,

Love as the Master loved you;

Be to the helpless a helper indeed,

Unto your mission be true.

May you be a blessing to someone today!

 

Blessed, Not Lucky

My friend and I were tweens when she was given a birthday card by a youth leader.  The card had the words "good luck" crossed out.  The woman told my friend she didn't believe in luck. We thought she was a little wacky for thinking that.  

About 38 years have passed since I was a tweenager (you're doing the math aren't you?) and I can tell you the trials have been many.  Have I been unlucky? Some might think so.  If I were to compare blessings vs. trials in two columns, the blessings would far outweigh the trials.  I've been blessed beyond measure.

Look for your blessings today, write them down.  Look for your blessings tomorrow, write them down.  Do this everyday in a special notebook.  I guarantee your spirits will be lifted.

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.
Johnson Oatman, Jr, 1897

free facebook cover

The graphics in this post were made for you.  Free for personal use or sharing. Click on image to open to largest size, right click and save to your computer. Have a blessed day friends.

All the Blessings of the Year

For all the blessings of the year,

For all the friends we hold so dear,
For peace on earth, both far and near,
We thank Thee, Lord.

For life and health, those common things,

Which every day and hour brings,

For home, where our affection clings,

We thank Thee, Lord.

For love of Thine, which never tires,

Which all our better thought inspires,

And warms our lives with heavenly fires,

We thank Thee, Lord.

For All the Blessings of the Year

Albert Hutchinson, 1913

Have a blessed day friends.

Free Pretty Things for You

I have some exciting news.  Keren, from Free Pretty Things For You, has invited me to be a guest today on her blog.  If you've never visited Keren's place, also known as FPTFY, you are missing out.  She has the most delightful free digital graphics, scrapbook paper, facebook banners, and so much more.

I have designed a number of different graphics which she is featuring, all focusing on blessings.  These are made fresh for you, free for your personal use.  See graphics assortment below:

To download the images:

you can find links for page 1 and 2 on Keren's blog **here**

A link to page 3 is **here**

and a link to page 4 is **here**

You would need to visit both of our pages to have access to all the images pictured.  Thanks so much dear ones.  I appreciate you visiting us both today, and appreciate sweet Keren for inviting me to share in this way with her.  Remember you can add to your JOY by counting your BLESSINGS.

Memorial Day ~ Decoration Day

 

Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

Memorial Day ~ a time of remembrance for those who died in service for their country.  It was originally called Decoration Day as the women would decorate the graves of the Civil War veterans.  This vintage postcard pictures a little girl doing just that. 

I wrote this particular post last year but feel it is worth repeating again for this Memorial Day weekend.   The vintage postcards included here are free for you.  Please see more specific info here about use of these images:  about Little Birdie Blessings graphics.

The caption on this next vintage postcard reads:
Let the Stars and Strips be waving o'er their generous sacrifice.

But his soul goes marching on. 

 

 

 

My father was a veteran, and my husband is as well.  I am proud of their service to our country.  Our town celebrates Memorial Day with a small parade.  They stop at one point on their route and throw a floral wreath into the ocean to remember those whose lives were lost at sea.  

Last year, 20/20 aired a story about a young man who was impaled by a live RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) in Afghanistan.  His chances for survival were slim as was anyone with him.  

Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

The men that were with him didn't flee and abandon him, they stayed with him.  He was flown to safety where he was operated on and his life was spared.   Countless men that day risked their own lives to save their friend and comrade.  I would say that the scripture above defines the actions of those men.  You can read more about this story here:  Unexploded Bomb in Soldier's Body.  A true act of heroism. 

I hope you all have enjoy your weekend.  Please don't forget to remember those who laid down their lives for this country.

The latest Scripture Thursday linky party can be found here:   

SCRIPTURE THURSDAY