11-22-20 Sermon Notes “Counting Our Blessings”

What do you say when you talk to yourself? Oh, come on! I know you do it! During the course of any given day, I am likely to say to myself, “Sam, don’t forget to (fill-in-the-blank).” Or I will say, “Sam, you big dummy!” when I mess up…which happens fairly regularly. I might give myself a little pep talk, like, “OK – come on! Let’s do this!” What do you say?

Do you know what the psalmist, David said when he talked to himself in Psalm 103? Let’s look at Psalm 103: 1-5…

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103: 1-5 NRSV)

Can you see it? David was talking to himself. We just get to “eavesdrop.” What does he say to himself? (1) He tells himself to praise God with everything he has inside himself. (Bless the Lord, O my soul). (2) He tells himself NOT to forget all of God’s benefits. Then he proceeds to list off all of the benefits that God gives. David is literally, counting his blessings!

This coming Sunday, we will finish our “Thankful Heart” series by counting our blessings. We will take a look at how the psalmist’s blessings align with ours. We will also announce the thanks offerings pledged for 2021 that we have received so far with our Generosity Campaign. (Have you sent in your card yet?)

We are blessed indeed! May we never forget to bless the Lord…even if it means talking to ourselves!

See you Sunday, in-person or livestreaming!

Pastor Sam

Hymns for Sunday, Nov. 22

# 131 – “We Gather Together”

#694 – “Come, Ye Thankful People”