My cup runneth over...can I get a refill too? - Joey Ferrell
The song “Count your many blessings” is heard very often in worship services and probably is on your mind now that I have mentioned it. What a concept…but do we really do that? Do we “name them one by one…and see what God has done?” Oh, the riches of God’s love that just pours and pours out. Sure…I know that there are those that have hard times and never seem to “get a leg up” when it comes to finances or material things…but is that all we have to look at when counting our blessings?
Too many times, I find myself taking for granted every blessing that rains down from God Almighty. I am sure that I am not alone in this idea, but it is hard to admit it at times. I remember years ago that if I wanted to send you this article, I would either have to hand write (what a blessing that is to you to not have to read my hand writing!), or maybe type it on that old clunky and loud typewriter…or even when I got my first computer and printed out a letter on the old dot matrix printer…yeah, I am probably a little older than some of you.
Not today…this article will make its way through thousands of emails, and even more interactions through our website and social media in just a few seconds from right now! Isn’t that a great blessing? Well, sure it is! And what a great opportunity that it is to be able to spread the message of God’s love and the redemptive power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such an expedient and practical way! Maybe you had not thought about that as a blessing lately. It truly is.
I was reminded as my family and I moved homes this past week that “my cup runneth over” more times than it is empty for sure. My wife and I have nice vehicles that help us to travel, we have plenty of food to eat, and now we have a neat small hobby farm raising some goats and chickens - uh yeah…that’s a new one on this city boy! Walking to the barn each morning and being greeted by 13 goats as they wiggle their way into the feed storage area to eat the “crumbs” that fall to the floor as I fill up their feed bucket reminds me of several stories from the Bible, both in a good light…and a bad one. One of the good ones is certainly the thought of the “bucket" running over” when filling feed for them. I have yet to bend over and pick up the little pellets or kernels of corn. Maybe that is wasteful, maybe not so much as it is a joy to have them rubbing up against me as they try to get every last piece they can.
You know what is really funny about these goats though? I will empty the bucket into their bigger feed barrel, then take the bucket back to the barn, and lo and behold, as I turn around…there are 2 to 3 goats right at my ankles…what are they wanting? More feed! It doesn’t matter that there are a few acres of rough for them to eat…or the freshly filled feeding barrel…they want more. Kind of sounds like us some days doesn’t it?
I was in a restaurant a few days ago waiting on a take out order. They have the fountain drinks self-serve and I went and filled up my cup with my favored drink. The order took a little longer than it seemed it should have, and I was quite thirsty…so I drank a big portion of my drink while waiting. Why not? They offer free refills! And…just as they called my number, you know what happened…I filled that drink right on to the top again…almost running over, so I would have plenty to drink - a good value since I had already paid for the drink. The next day or two, I went into a convenience store during our moving adventure. It was hot. I was very thirsty. There was the sign! “Any size fountain drink 99 cents!” So…what would you do? I grabbed the 64 ounce cup! As I start to fill it, I then realize the fine print on the sign, as well as the location that I obtained the cup. It said “excludes xxxx brand and 52 or 64 ounce cups.” I was appalled. “Any size” should mean “any size” right? 99 cents was a great deal for a 64 ounce drink. But fairly, a 44 ounce drink was more than sufficient as I ended up throwing away a part of the drink after it had gone flat and warm.
One of the most popular Psalms that is quoted, and so loved by many is Psalm 23. I am sure you know it, or can look it up very quickly. Sometimes, we read through this Psalm and think…boy…David sure knew how to be thankful didn’t he? One of the verses in this Psalm is where the idea of this article comes. Verse 5.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” (Psalm 23:5)
The indication from the context seems to be that there is more than plenty enough for the needs of one to be met. How true that statement is now…in the past…and for the future. In the complete context of Psalm 23, David seems to be contrasting his present state as a king - in want of not much at all - to his days as a field shepherd - working long and tedious hours and menial tasks in order to just survive his livelihood. He was thanking God for supplying all his needs…and then some in both times.
You see, many times, we may find ourselves looking ahead to an “empty cup” and already wanting a refill instead of looking at how much overflow is coming from the cup that we already have. God has blessed us in so many ways, so many that the song “Count your many blessings” seems impossible and almost feels like an insult from me to God in saying that I could even begin to number them all. That’s my opinion and verdict upon myself and not necessarily others, but have you counted your blessings today? Sure, we are going through some very difficult times and some very challenging days, but God continues to fill that cup to a point of overflowing every single day in spiritual blessings. After all, even Jesus poured out His blood so that our cup may be full! There won’t be any refills on that cup, so let’s remember to be thankful for the overflowing abundance already given!
~Joey
From the Field….
We miss you!
Our field rep team has been trying to visit congregations when we can. We know that it is a very difficult time for all, and we are not able to visit everywhere that we would like to. We can, and will do our best, and we will be contacting congregations to see if we can schedule tentative dates soon.
We launched on WGN America last month…and wow! Our phones have been busy, we have had increased visits on the website and app, and lots of people are finding out about this great program.
It is with your help that we can continue to do what we strive to do. Maybe you can tell someone about the program in your area. Share our videos on social media. We just went back on Pinterest, so look for us there as well. We want to Take the Whole Gospel to the Whole World together! 1 Cor 3:6-7. God gives the increase! All glory to Him.
Check out our new stations on the website, as well as some great resources on the app that can be used in bible studies, personal study, or even just to share with others. If you don’t have the app, download it today from one of the app stores!
Until we meet again!
~Joey Ferrell
Director of Operations