How did God bless you in 2017?

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Rosyshine

Senior Member
Feb 26, 2017
122
15
18
#1
As the year comes to a close, and as a new chapter begins, it seems like
a good time to reflect on the blessings of 2017. Please share if you'd like!

Here are some things God did for me:


He comforted me and helped me overcome anxiety after losing my dad.
He brought comforting words via other believers into my life.
He made me smile many times with things like birds and flowers.
He helped me meet new Christian friends - including through this site :)
He let me in on adventures to help others.
He used other people to bless me.
He helped me begin to get my health in order (diagnoses, medication).
He spoke sweet words of encouragement to me through other Christians.
He told me again (through words from other Christians) that He has someone out there for me.
I've learned to laugh more and laugh in God's presence more.
I've become more honest with God.
Thank you, God, for the many blessings You've given me in 2017!
Blessings on everyone's 2018 and beyond!
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
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#2
He held off the demise of the USA for a few years by putting Donald Trump in office.
 

student

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2010
1,031
154
63
#3
Old and new friends arrived...
Hurts strengthened me.
Healing has begun.
New opportunities to serve HIm
He took home some dear friends.
I played my trumpet....I made mistakes...He made it good.
I sang.
I wrote music.
I walked a little taller...sought out a greater calling.
God has blessed me richly as well.

-student
 

slave

Senior Member
Mar 20, 2015
6,307
1,097
113
#4
Only by His wonderful grace can I see from His perspective, rejoice always, and continually give thanks. Only by His life in me can I walk in humility and live together with others in the victory of His cross. Only by His Spirit in me can I obey His Word and follow His ways. Therefore I must thank Him -- not only for the sunny days and happy moments -- but even more for those things that show me my need to draw ever so much closer to Him:

*C
onviction of sin which exposes my need for His salvation. Initially and onwardly as well. This year has been very unique for me. As I have been thru the ringer in my occupation and housing changes, I have noticed that I have surrendered my life to the point that sin is but a challenge to continue to war against; unlike many years past where I was still battling many specific fights on the front lines to conquer a few of them.

I have been visited many times by Satan this last year, especially by way of lust mindfully. But Satan has less frequented me, for he knows I have come to know I am not my own, and I have concluded that even though I am tempted, I have died to the right to myself, because I know the love of my Father has my best interests in mind, and eternal investments are now my spoils, not temporal death, no matter its delights; so I stand against Satan in Christ's authority. God has my needs covered; and by grace God has not let me fall but has prospered me in His fields this year! Thank You Lord for the people You touch in the lives of Your Children!

*Weaknesses that show me my need for His strength. Wow, have I learned how limited I am as a human!! I have suffered many limitations in many ways and have accepted those limitations., Again it comes back to who I know, not what I get from Him to do for Him. I know that God is a loving Father who loves me even to death. I know He and His Son and the Holy Spirit pour themselves out on my behalf to share in the glory of the Father. And because I know my Father in heaven, who happens to be God of all things full of all Power and Might, I know that wherever He takes me I will follow, and I have suffered this year. But not because of sinfulness, but rather for His name sake. I know in time He will cash in that check for me - eternally. Thank You Lord for having me accept my weakness so that Your glory can be seen thru my humility all the more!

*Difficulties that can keep me close to Jesus. So many times this year I have shared my circumstantial difficulties with people, and they tell me to be patient, God will solve the problem, as if the answer is the victory. But I don't see it that way to be honest. I know they mean well, but to me I rejoice in trials because I know God has it under control, and if I am already in His family He is using this to develop a character of forged steel in me. Yes, I am sometimes unsure of the future (just another limitation of mine - :) LOL), but I am never unsure of my Fathers character and love because I know Him.

Nor do I think for a second that my Abba Father would ever harm me despite facing trials and persecution for His Name sake. I will suffer as Jesus suffered, for this is our lot in life as His Children, but I will also share in His glory later, and be at peace with Him now in all y current circumstances. I personally get Paul's statement when he states He is content in all circumstances now. I own that revelation as my character as well! Thank You Lord for giving me your peace all the more as the devils flaming darts thru persecution and circumstances try to thwart my heart and life. Even unto death - death has lost its sting; it has lost its victory! For the life I now live is not my own it was bought at a price and it is Jesus in me! Thank You Lord!

*Hardships that keep me hidden in Him each moment. The glue that binds us - right? Yes, 2017 has been a scene of hardships for me. But does that make them unworthy of spiritual gain? Of course not! I think of my three boys who hate Jesus in me. Which many translate as hating me. But I have been above reproach in my love for them in human terms. I am reminded of Matthew:

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - a man's enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." (Matthew 10:34-38).

Now to be sure He is not talking about being hated for anything outside of the love for the father in heaven first, but suffice it to say this is a hard one to swallow even at that. I love my kids with my whole life, but I love God more, and as this is the case their spirit is furious with me. But it is in this position that God can move mountains and I cannot. So, I pray even into 2018 for an open door to show Christ's love to them in a meaningful way. Pray for me on this one! I need your prayers! But nonetheless, I Thank You Father for the opportunity these kids have to be given a father who knows you, and who is willing to love his boys in righteous obedience to the Heavenly Father, for this remains hopeful then for the boys to truly save their souls and offer them life in Christ Jesus staving off death.

"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39). So, Thank You Lord for making my death to the right to myself - Your life found in me; empowered to reconcile men to yourself by lifting You up so that You can draw all men unto Yourself.. and for being true to You as my first fruit love, I can offer truth (reality) to them in keeping with Your promises. Amen!

*Earthly disappointments that set my heart toward eternity. I am no longer apart of the world; I am dead to it! I am only here for a time before I go home. A home I have not yet seen, but yet from where I am currently from - The Kingdom of Heaven! I thank God for separation from the world experientially in 2017, but I also thank Him for making 2017 a year of going into the world to be the salt and light of the world as well protecting me and empowering me. It has been the most powerful year to date for me in fruiting up not only my life in Christ thru intentional acts of faith, but also many others who I help disciple, that I go alongside with to discuss and discover God with them in the everyday issues of life. I love God for making my heart weep for their needs regularly. Yes, tough guys weep! Smile.

So, in the area of money for instance, this year I have given even more generously when I have less in my bank account than ever before. But, I am not mis-stewarding the money I am investing it in people and not in false securities; in things which are fading away on earth. So, Thank You Lord for my poverty here on earth, for I know the place I go you have many mansions, and I will dwell in your Presence forever there!

I have had an outstanding year, I look forward to 2018- and beyond! I hadn't planned on this long of a statement, but it is healthy to reflect on where God has brought us to, isn't it? :rolleyes:.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,799
8,103
113
#5
"So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony, the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories I made along the way"
 
Dec 31, 2017
36
0
6
#6
He saved me in 2017!! That's the greatest blessing anyone can receive...
 

mar09

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2014
4,927
1,259
113
#7
Awfully, abundantly, greatly, mightily, richly, tremendously… He healed and forgave me, corrected, reproved, taught, trained, loved and still loves after all the new bungles.
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,972
113
#9
by never leaving either of our sides for moment...
:):)
 

Corbinscam

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2016
560
35
28
#10
Personally, 2017 was the hardest year in my life. I know I'm not old so I'll likely see worse but it was a rough year. But through all the rough spots...He was there. It's odd how much the rough patches prove to you about His love. But...there were high notes to the too...
We started off the year getting a healthy baby...born a little earlier than he was supposed to be but crazy healthy, crazy fun, and the biggest bright spot in my life. I've had so many people tell me how the timing was bad...we were so young..etc etc...but he is the greatest blessing I've ever been given. God is using that tiny little dude to show me just how God feels about me...I've never understood the love of a father until I saw my son. Then again when he said "daaaa" then again when he started mocking crap I did. It's the best. 2017 will forever be one of my favorite years because it brought us him.
The whole year was sort of a whirlwind and I could type it all out and go on forever but I'll summarize it by saying...God used a lot of random seemingly bad things to show me His care. To prove His love. And to open my heart....it sucked and it was cool. lol.
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,972
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#11
Praise God, little one, and may our Saviour bless you and yours throughout
this brand new year...
 

Prov910

Senior Member
Jan 10, 2017
880
47
0
#12
He led me to join a great bible study. I've discovered a number of insightful bible verses. My son continues his spiritual growth. Business picked up at work. I met a new friend. My parents and my wife's parents are still in relatively good health. And too many other things to list! :)
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,972
113
#13
FREEDOM of and receiving = not being hungry, cold, comfortless, home-less, without hope,

and for Your bless-ed assurance of Your Love and Care for all of hub's and my needs as You see fit.
Your sharing with us what this world is really about, and delivering us out of it...AMEN,

and Thank You so much, Holy Saviour for Loving us so much and for showing us Your Love
for us in so many ways, as we strive day-by-day to observe Your Holy Ways in Obedience in
our thankfulness for Your most Holy Sacrifice...