Praise the Lord and forget not all his benefits!

Psalm 103: 2, "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-." It's so easy during season of battle to forget the benefits the Lord has provided us. David reminds us in Psalm 103 that we serve a God who forgives, who heals, who redeems, who crowns us with love and compassion, who satisfies, who renews our strength and works righteousness and justice for us. We serve a God who is compassionate and gracious and slow to anger and who abounds in love. In the past week I have had people approach me crying and having a hard time handling life and it's struggles. I have close loved ones on deaths door with cancer and I have lost a cousin in a car crash, I have friends struggling with guilt of wrong decisions. All these things seek to take my focus away from the good things Christ has done for me. This life isn't the end. It isn't a "one and done" type of deal. Our spirit man moves on to the next dimension where we will rule and reign with Christ. I urge you today to prayerfully read aloud all of Psalm 103 and thank the Lord for all his benefits. In Philippians 3:13, Paul wrote, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." Paul reminds us that there is one thing we can do. Notice he states 'straining towards." It isn't an easy choice for us. Remind him you are thankful for all he has done and is doing. If for no other reason; I am thankful that at the least; I have salvation and a home and loved ones waiting for me beyond this life. I remember all his benefits and remind him of them and as I do I sense the Holy Spirit with me granting me grace for another day to bring more people to him. Howard's Helpful Hint: Centered people consistently remind themselves of the goodness of God.