Where Are My Blessings?

By Doreen Lynn Leavitt

What Did I Do to Deserve This?

I was wondering this one day in prayer and was even bold enough to ask. Lord, Im a good person, reallywhat did I do to deserve this? I even listed my good qualities to my Father because He seemed to need to be reminded. I only asked because I felt like I needed a reassuring word of how much God loves me or, how special I am to Him, or that these rough times would be coming to an end shortly. So, God in His wisdom and understanding of my self-pity and lack of inner-confidence at this moment took me to Hebrews 12:5 And have you quite forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, His child? Look here, God was ready to encourage me, His child. How awesome is He? He said, My son (daughter), dont be angry when the Lord punishes you. Dont be discouraged when He has to show you where you are wrong. What? I dont get it. Exactly, I didnt get it. That was why I had to pray, Lord: dont let me miss it. He was going to make sure that I didnt miss it so that I could receive the full blessings of being a child of God.

Where Are My Blessings is written in a direct and challenging style to inspire those seeking a deeper and more intimate relationship with Jesus. The author writes in a conversational style encouraging the Believer not to miss it! Whether or not you are going through tough times, or you are currently in a better place, Where Are My Blessings clearly teaches how to live a life that is not all about you, but all about Him!

Larry Hoekman, seminar speaker, counselor, and devotional blogger

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490821429

Doreen Lynn Leavitt

I am a Believer in Jesus Christ as the One and Only. I have been married for 36 years and we have two wonderful children and eleven beautiful grandchildren. We have resided in Central Florida for eight years. We had moved here from Central California, where we were married and lived for 26 years with 2 1/2 spectacular years in Hawaii. God has led me to do several different ministries throughout my life depending on where we lived and the need at that time. I believe God calls us to be open to be used in an ever-changing world so that we can be effective in bringing His Word and His Ways to our communities. My husband and I have gone on mission trips to build and clean up a Mexico Orphanage. Together with friends, we have had the privilege and opportunity to organize various Christian Concerts in our community. I have taught a women’s Bible Study using practical lessons to teach and encourage. I have taught and worked in Children’s Ministries for 35 years. I have put on several Children’s Musical Performances directing all stage production including drama, dancing, costumes and props. My passion is writing and I have written and published a Children’s Book. I have obeyed God and allowed Him to use me to write this book to help Christians grow and be encouraged to be transformed by the Spirit of God so that they can reach their full potential in Christ and to receive the full blessings of His goodness.

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Copyright © 2014 Doreen Lynn Leavitt.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-2143-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2142-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013923597

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/30/2014

Contents

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Chapter 1

Huge Mistake or Massive Blessing?

Chapter 2

What Did I Do to Deserve This?

Chapter 3

What Kind of Plan is This?

Chapter 4

To Sin or Not to Sin? That is the Question

Chapter 5

It’s All About Me! Isn’t It?

Chapter 6

Who’s On First?

Chapter 7

For Richer or Poorer. Honestly, Poorer?

Chapter 8

Get Over What?

Chapter 9

Where’s My Royal Robe?

Chapter 10

Who Changed The Rules?

Chapter 11

How Do You Play Family Feud?

Chapter 12

Who Called For A Makeover?

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Huge Mistake or Massive Blessing?

It all started at a luncheon with some friends. We had a wonderful time having something to eat and simply just chit-chatting (I say this word a lot). When it was all over (here it comes) we asked each other if there was anything we could pray for. All was said quickly and then I looked straight in the eyes of one of my good friends and with tears in her eyes she said, Pray that I don’t miss it. My eyes got a little misty and I said, of course.

Being the good Christian that I was, O.K. that I thought I was, I went away and immediately prayed this heart wrenching prayer for my friend. I added, (yes I did) that I wouldn’t ‘miss it’ either. It became a consistent prayer with me and I actually was sincere. What you don’t realize about me is that I really didn’t necessarily think I was missing out on a whole lot with my relationship with God. He could have cleaned a few things up, we could all use cleaning up, but what was in store for me was beyond my wildest imagination.

Once again, being the good Christian that I was, I had my husband praying this same prayer with me. Poor, poor man. Oh yeah, we did become poor which I’ll talk about later. We began a seven (7) year voyage. We didn’t know it was going to last seven years but that’s what it was. The voyage wasn’t a smooth, clear water, clean up a little, voyage. It was a dramatic, swimming in the sewer kind of trek. Did we make a huge mistake in praying this prayer or was it a massive blessing to be able to finally behold the unmistakable presence of our Lord even in treacherous waters? Our comfort zone took a turn and we were drowning but God, always faithful to His word, held our heads above the water and eventually scooped us out.

God has called me to write a few of our experiences to you. Not to scare you but to help and encourage you. To strengthen your faith and who you are in Christ. To help you get through your trials and rough times. Those times when you say, why me God, why me? Where are you God? Don’t you like me anymore? This book is for every woman/man everywhere at any point of their growth. Face it, we all hit rock bottom at some point in our lives and we need to know that we are to go through it with God’s strength and not lose hope. I am going to share why His timing is so vitally important to wait upon and trust regardless of how many times you think you are ready.

Rock bottom is different for everyone; it could be a divorce, a child on drugs, losing your job, home or even a loved one. It could be a devastating illness or even an emotional breakdown. I can go on and on because there are a lot of critically abusive circumstances that the world throws at us but you can be protected and shielded by the Wings of the Almighty.

I’m going to give you helpful scriptures that you can read over and over again and claim daily. I’m going to give you examples of men and women in the Bible that to get to where they were wasn’t all fun, games and riches for them their whole life even when God had called them. They had to go through the storms of life that were no different than you or I have to go through. These godly but human people knew God was with them and their hope, in the worst of situations, was focused on the One and Only.

We tend to lose sight of the Almightiness of the God that we love and serve. We forget that He does all things for our benefit. In Romans 8:28 we are reminded that God does allow difficult situations in our lives for our benefit. He plans on going through all things with you and to give you the help and strength needed to bring it to completion. Let’s visit this scripture together from the amplified Bible. ‘We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.’ Did you realize that the verse before this very famous, constantly claimed scripture states that the Spirit intercedes and pleads before God in behalf of the saints? That’s me and you. We are God’s saints, His very own precious children. Go to Romans 8:27 and see for yourselves. God never leaves you on your own.

I cannot continue on with my 7 years of adventures without completely reassuring you that God never leaves you or forsakes you (Joshua 1:5 & Hebrews 13:5-6). Joshua already had a relationship with God. He already trusted Him and his life was already dedicated to the service of his Almighty Lord. You may feel like you are already as devoted to God as one can be. But when trouble comes do you find yourself in desperation? God reminded Joshua that He was with him and would never leave him no matter what the circumstance would be. He goes on to tell him to be strong and courageous. God tells him to stay close to Him at all times and He will prosper, be wise, and successful (Joshua 1:8). Wow, that’s good stuff. It’s a promise for all those who love the Almighty God and has received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Yes, it’s for you!

Let’s not stop there. Let’s quote vs. 9 of Joshua 1 from the amplified, ‘Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you