Today I celebrate a very impactful father-figure in my life – Rev. Prof. Dr. John H. Amuasi – perhaps the main reason we started a site/blog for the Devotional (we were initially doing only WhatsApp and Facebook posts). I want to dedicate this post to him by sharing with you one of the many teachings that have been a blessing to my life. You will be so blessed by this!
Make no mistake God is very much interested in counting and Numbers (eg. a whole book in the Bible is dedicated to this; Jesus knows the number of His sheep – Luke 15:1-7; the detailed number of souls being added to the early church – Acts 2:41-47; the very number of hairs on our head are counted – Luke 12:7). Basically, counting is very important in life. It is a very simple thing yet we fail to do enough of it because we forget over time.
And if counting is done with error, you either underestimate or overestimate. It is therefore paramount for us to know how to count. You can count anything; and the challenge today is to ask: “What have you been counting?” Is it how much you have in the bank, investments, etc.? || The number of countries you’ve been to? || Some are also interested in ‘body count‘ (Hopefully, after reading this today, you won’t be...) || So what are you counting?
Things To Count
A. Learn to count your blessings (Psalm 103:2): It is easy to forget; you must accept the fact that you will forget! If you do not make a conscious effort to record things, you will forget.
The Israelites experienced the raw power and miracles of God; yet they forgot God. We are prone to forgetfulness and you must be deliberate to count every good thing the Lord has done for you.
Assignment: Count and list what God has done for you in the past 5 years. Remember if you're not deliberate in counting your blessings, you will forget.
B. Learn to count the cost (Luke 14:28-33): If not, you will easily underestimate (and rush out) or overestimate (and don’t begin at all).
““But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
“Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” - Luke 14:28-33
This is one of the reasons why, for example, in Ghana, we have more uncompleted buildings than completed ones. It takes a plan; count the cost before you march out! How will my army of 10,000 win against that of 20,000? Count the cost of deciding to follow Jesus; know what being a disciple of Jesus is about. It calls for the ultimate sacrifice of everything: time, resources, pleasure, etc., and you need to learn to count these costs.
C. Learn to count your days (Job 14:5): Imagine our expiry dates written on our foreheads… I can see yours and you can see mine. [Side note: Pray daily for long life & good health].
“You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer.” - Job 14:5 NLT
"The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;For it is soon cut off, and we fly away... So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." - Psalm 90:10...12
We have to take note of the past and present days, evaluate them, and use them to predict, inform and/or make decisions for the future. In this way, we can live an ever-evolving life.
D. Learn to count souls!: God is very interested in the number of souls won, as we see in the records of the early church (Acts 2:41).
"But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God" - Acts 20:24.
In essence, Paul’s ‘body count’ was the count of souls. Paul was interested in his impact on souls and the number of people he has been able to bless. He chose not to count his accolades and achievements in life (Phil 3:7-9) but the souls he had impacted. What is the number of souls that have been impacted and blessed by your life? Let this be an aim in your life; it counts both on earth and in eternity.
3 Things To Not Count
Do not count the number of wrongs (1 Cor 13:5): “It (love) does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
Do not keep a record of your accomplishments and ‘greatness‘ (Phil 3:4): Don’t count these as worth something. Do not use them as an estimation of your value. “…though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!”
Do not count what is for others and do not compare to yours (2 Cor 10:12). Count your own! Counting the blessings of others can make you either think you’re underperforming or sow a seed of pride and think you’re overperforming. “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.“
“God is counting on you; the spotlight of heaven is shining on you! Your life counts and God is counting on you.” Stay blessed!
Rev John Amuasi
Happy happy birthday Daddy! Thank you for the great blessing you’ve been to me and many others. We are truly grateful and may God continue to keep you, increase you, elevate you, protect you, and bless you!
You can check out many powerful sermons by my father from the YouTube link below:
https://www.youtube.com/@GracefieldsChapel-KNUST/featured
