Making a blessing tree gives you the opportunity to share blessings. Make an impression on children and influence them to be a blessing to others.

Count Your Blessings Craft and Activity

Supplies:

Construction paper, a marker, and finger paints.

Directions:

1. Draw a simple tree outline on construction paper.
2. Let children paint leaves on the tree with finger paints.
3. As the paint is drying, have the children tell you things that have and things they enjoy and like doing.
4. Explain that all we have is from God. God blesses us. The things that we have and do are blessings. Psalm 100:4 – “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”
5. Write or have them write on their picture the blessings that they have. Remind them about all the things that they said they have and enjoyed doing.
6. Have children think of ways that they can be a blessing to others.

Thanksgiving is not the only day of the year that we should count our blessings. Everyday of the year we should count our blessing and praise God.

Count your blessings Today!

We have many things that we can praise God for. All that we have is from God. He is the giver of everything. Even during troubles, trails, and discouragements there is always something that we can praise God for.

In life there are many obstacles that can easily discourage us. We can look to God for help and give him praise for what we have. Giving praise to God will help us to focus on what is good rather than what is trying to discourage us.

God wants us to praise him continually. Have a spirit of thanksgiving. Let this verse be a guide to you.

Psalms 34:1 says “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (KJV)

How can you praise God?

Through Song

Praise can be made by singing,  playing, or listening to music that uplifts the name of the Lord and turns your focus to the attributes and greatness of God.

James 5:13 “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” (KJV)

Psalm 7:17 “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.” (KJV)

Reading Psalms

The book of Psalms in the Bible is an excellent way to read writings of praise. As you read let your heart rejoice. Pick a verse of praise and blessing to share with someone today.

Psalm 34:3 “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” (KJV)

By Praying

Pray for others. Thank God for the ways he has helped and provided for you. Ask God for opportunities and ways to help and uplift others. The apostle Paul was an encourager and knew the value of prayer and praise. He wrote Ephesians 1:16 to the saints at Ephesus.

Ephesians 1:16 “Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.” (KJV)

Encourage Others

Share verses of blessing or words of how God has blessed with others. Encourage them to look at the blessings God has so richly given.

2 Samuel 22:50 “Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.” (KJV)

Isaiah 63:7 “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.” (KJV)

Listen to:

Ways To Praise God

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/audioPop.jsp?episodeId=296082&cmd=apop

Life goes by quickly! There always seems to be something that needs to be done or somewhere to go. We must rush from one thing to another. During the holidays life gets even busier. Prepare now for the the Thanksgiving and Christmas season ahead.

How and what do you need to prepare?

Prepare your heart

In busy times stress comes. Family gatherings can bring disagreements. By preparing your heart, you can ease this tension.

Have a daily, alone time with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading. Keep this time precious. It is what will help carry you through the stressful moments. Be determined, that no matter how much you have to do during the day that you will make time to be with the Lord. In Isaiah 41:13 (KJV) it says “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” When you begin to feel stress, go to the Lord for strength.

Stay focused

Remember why you are celebrating the holiday season. Keep your focus on God’s blessings and the gift of his son Jesus. Use Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV) to help you stay focused. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Prepare a schedule and plan

Make time to sit and plan out your activities and what you will need. You will have last minute things come up, but this will help you to visualize and prepare. Planning keeps you productive rather than busy.

Make a list of what events you know will be happening. Choose what will  benefit your family and pass on activities that will make the season stressful. Put important events on the calendar.

Plan out what you need and what you have to do. Examples: Make list for gifts to buy or make, food to buy and prepare, cards to purchase and send, or what you need to take to events.

God gave people in the Bible plans, so that they could accomplish the task he had for them. You are not building an ark or a tabernacle, but planning is essential to staying focused.

Prepare

Start buying and preparing food. Getting a head start will avoid pressure and help avoid last minute runs to the store. Making mixes, freezing dinners and baked goods, and buying food as you go help you to be a good steward of the time and money God has given you.

Save money. Put aside money each week to offset the extra expenses that will come up. Avoid going into debt.

Make gifts. Homemade gifts can be filled with loved and personalized to each person. Try these Home Made Holiday Gift Ideas.

Buy gifts on sale. Do not impulse buy. Make prayerful descisions. Colossians 4:2 (KJV) says “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving”

Plan and prepare to make this holiday season memorable and special.