Counting our blessings beginning with One

D

o you recall God's promises to Abram?  If a man

could number the dust of the earth, then your

descendants also could be numbered  (Gen. 13:16

NKJV) and  Count the stars if you are able to number

them.   So shall your descendants be.  Abraham

believed in the Lord, and God accounted it to him for

righteousness (Gen. 15:5 6 NKJV). 

Surely, to Abram, the task of counting dust and stars appeared

daunting and the promise unimaginable. Yet, he believed everything God

had promised.  He began this counting as only he could with one. And

Abraham called the name of his son whom Sarah bore to him Isaac

(Gen. 21:3).

Likewise, we personally count the immeasurable promises and 

blessings of God by beginning with One God's only begotten Son, Jesus

Christ, who shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins. This forgiveness

becomes ours in Baptism. One by one, He calls us by name, counting us

among the descendants of Abraham.  

As fellow believers of the promise, we count our blessings individ 

ually and as His Church beginning with one.  There is one body and

one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord,

one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and

through all, and in you all  (Eph. 4:4 6 NKJV).

We count it a blessing to share Christ's love in One Mission to

Jerry Kieschnick,

President

win the world for Christ by reaching the lost a mission we share with

The Lutheran Church   Missouri Synod

Jesus, who came to seek and to save people who are lost (Luke 19:10). 

We are blessed with One Message the greatest message in the

world the message of  Christ and Him crucified.    

As One People living and acting as those who are blessed we

stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the

Gospel (Phil. 1:27).  Thanks be to God who blesses us through the Lord

Jesus Christ! 

This special report recounts the blessed work of our gracious Lord

through the 6,150 congregations and 2,540,045 people who are The

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. God pours out His grace in mission

and ministry being done and yet to be done. While a glimpse toward 

heaven and earth reminds us these works under God's promise are 

innumerable, we believe and take joy in what God has done.  

We give glory to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, counting our 

blessings beginning with One.

Jerry Kieschnick

John 3:16 17