Guest Minister, Apostle Dale Des Vignes, delivers an enthusiastic sermon delivered during the "Week of Glory" celebrations at Lighthouse Empowerment Sanctuary. "Week of Glory/ Glory Fest" is a packed week of celebratory services in the first week of December which commemorates the anniversary of our church. The year this sermon was recorded, 2022, we celebrated 15 Years as a Ministry.

The Minister urges the congregation to count their blessings instead of their curses. The message is structured around a central parable of gratitude, illustrating that as long as one has the gift of life, there is a reason to offer praise to God. The speaker identifies three specific pillars for thanksgiving: the preservation of physical health, the value of family and friends, and the necessity of honoring spiritual leadership. Ultimately, the text serves as a rhythmic, interactive call to action, urging believers to utilize praise as a spiritual weapon and to maintain a personal, constant posture of gratitude regardless of their current struggles.

The central message of the this teaching at Glory Fest 2022 was centered on the theme: "Count your blessings and not your curses". The following points summarize the key lessons taught:

• The Power of Gratitude: Regardless of life's challenges, there is always something to celebrate and give thanks for. Instead of complaining about what is missing, believers are encouraged to be faithful and grateful for what they have, as faithfulness in "little" leads to being blessed with "much".
• Thankfulness for Life: Life is a gift that should never be taken for granted. The Minister emphasized that many look for material things like cars or money to celebrate, but the mere fact of being alive and numbered among the living is the greatest blessing.
• Gratitude for Health: Believers were urged to value their health and care for themselves, noting that good health is more valuable than money, land, or cars. Even when facing illness, one should find reasons to praise God for the physical abilities they still possess.
• Appreciating Family and Friends: The teaching highlighted the importance of appreciating people while they are still alive, rather than waiting until it is too late. This includes showing love to spouses, children, and fellow believers.
• Honoring Spiritual Leadership: A specific call was made to honor and appreciate spiritual leaders. The congregation was encouraged to support those who pray for them, visit them in sickness, and guide them spiritually.
• Praise as a Personal Responsibility and Weapon: Christianity is described as a personal relationship; therefore, gratitude and worship should not depend on the actions of others. Furthermore, praise is a weapon that is contagious and invites the presence of God, who inhabits the praises of His people.
• God’s Sovereignty and Greatness: The Minister clarified that God is not just "the greatest" which implies a comparison to other gods, but is simply Great, existing as the Alpha and Omega with no equal. Because God is "the same in the valley as He is on the mountain," believers should praise Him in both good and bad times.

Counting your blessings is like looking through a telescope at the stars rather than a microscope at the dust; it shifts your perspective from the small, messy details of your problems to the vast, brilliant reality of God's goodness.

Rec. Date: 8th Dec, 2022