Do you remember what it was like to be in school and hear the teacher say, “Exams are coming up pretty soon?” You knew it was time to start reviewing and studying. You had studied all along, or at least I hope you had.

At that point it was time to stop and review all of the things that you had already been learning. Everything was important because you didn’t know what questions would be on the test. This required putting every piece of information in its proper place and knowing how to truly apply it to the subject at hand.

The Bible is also full of reviews. Because reviews are mentioned so many times in the Bible, I think God wants to give us the message that sometimes we need to stop and review in our own lives. In the Old Testament (Exodus 15) Moses was a good example of someone who reviewed. After Israel was led to safety through the Red Sea Moses reviewed how God had destroyed their enemies and protected them.

Exodus 15:1 says, “Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song unto the Lord.” Then he starts into the song, and the whole song is a review of all the things that God had done for them: how He saved them, how He gave them mercy, how He stretched out His hand and destroyed their enemies, how they had gone through the wilderness, and how He had taken care of them.

In Exodus, Moses and the people of Israel are a great example of reviewing, but there are plenty of other examples throughout the Bible. In Psalms there are a number of chapters where the Psalmists take the time to review and praise the Lord for how he has protected them in hard times. Psalm 18 is a great example where David writes of how God is his rock and fortress.

We can also look in the New Testament. In Hebrews chapter eleven there is a review not only of what God has done but of the faith of many people found in the Old Testament. It talks about faith as the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. The chapter continues then to speak of the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham.

Taking time to review is a good thing, whether it is for a test in school or a review of what God has done in your own life. Never forget all that God has done. As you review, make an effort to count your blessings, you may be surprised at just how blessed you are.

“If you learn to appreciate more of what you already have, you’ll find yourself having more to appreciate.”

The word appreciate has several meanings. One is to be thankful or show gratitude. Another is to raise or increase in value-such as how a good investment appreciates with time. I think that by appreciating-practicing gratefulness-the things we have and want in our lives also increase.

In our hectic, fast-paced lives, it’s easy to forget about the many things for which we have to be grateful. We tend to be goal-seeking, achievement-oriented people.

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

However, it’s vitally important that we not lose sight of the things that are near and dear-things we all too easily take for granted.

What we focus on expands. If we focus on the problems in our lives, they tend to increase. If we focus on the good things we already have, they too, have a tendency to grow.

I see it as another form of prayer. When we worry and fret over things, we make them bigger than they really are, as well as attract more of the same.

That’s negative prayer-prayer in reverse.

Focusing on what we have and what we want “appreciates” these things-they grow.

Just before going to sleep each night, my wife and I share at least three things for which we’re thankful. We call it “doing our gratefuls.” It takes only a few moments, but it directs our thoughts on the good-on the things we wish to increase in our life.

I suggest making the conscious consideration of your blessings a daily occurrence. If you do, you’ll find them taking on an even greater presence.