Material and Spiritual Blessings!

God has been so wonderfully good! Last month, I had registered for a glider at Baby’s R Us (one that felt the most comfortable to me and would fit well in the baby’s room). Upon hearing about my desire for a glider a lady in our church came across a coupon for a glider at Boscov’s and offered it to us. Tim and I wanted to at least look at this option, seeing it was on sale and the ottoman was free with the purchase (it was even made from the same company as the glider at Baby’s R Us). That Saturday we went to look at it and ended up purchasing it with the money given at the surprise birthday party. It was just a few dollars under the amount they gave! Praise the LORD! Tim brought it home yesterday and put it together. What a blessing it is in anticipation for the baby’s arrival! It’s a beautiful navy blue stripe with wood surprisingly similar to the crib and dresser. God must enjoy fitting even the details together!

Another blessing was found yesterday as I opened up the presents from the baby shower given by Tim’s family. After registering at Baby’s R Us, I realized I hadn’t put anything on my registry for baby wipes. It was such a small thing, but as I went through the packages more closely from the shower, I noticed that the two packages of diapers I thought had been given were really newborn diapers and a whole package of wipes! My heart was so thrilled and thankful to the LORD for providing even this! He knew just what was needed and has used my extended family to show His wonderful blessings!

Today, though the blessings are not necessarily material, I was in awe of what the LORD had shown me through my personal time with Him. I was reading in Philippians 3 and realized the many blessings we have as believers. While on our missions trip in Philly (was that last year?), Brother Rizzo had reminded us to share with others what salvation can mean to them today, not just the assurance of eternal life in heaven when we die. His comment came to mind as I read verses 7-10 and other bits and pieces through the rest of the chapter:

(7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

(8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

So, what have I won when I have put everything as nothing in comparison with knowing Christ?

(9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

(10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

I found that I have the blessing of God’s righteousness, not by what I did, but through faith, trusting that what Jesus did on the cross was all that was needed to pay for my sin. I also have the privilege of knowing Him personally on a day to day, hour by hour basis! Then Paul mentions the “power of His resurrection”…I can have hope in a day when I, too, will have victory over death and be resurrected with a new body as is my Savior. And today I have the power over sin in my daily living. The sin that would keep me dead to my Savior can now be refused. There is also “the fellowship of His sufferings.” He promises me comfort in my suffering because He knows how I feel and what I am going through. I have God, the Almighty, understanding and comforting me in my pain and sorrow! Then at last is “being made conformable unto His death.” I see this as becoming more like Jesus, willing to be self-sacrificial, putting God’s will above my own and all the character that was found in Him will be improved in my life as well (forgiveness, love, service, etc.). There are more blessings found throughout the rest of the chapter as well, such as a goal to be reached, a prize to be won, a purpose in life to pursue; and then someday being changed from this body to a new glorified body all through the power of Christ!

What blessings I have now and yet to come! These blessings are what will last, far more than a glider or a package of wipes! Praise the LORD for all these blessings! He is wonderfully good!