Reflections

“… we spend our years as a tale that is told.” Psalms 90:9   “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12 

Using human expression we would say, “Isn’t that the truth!”  Most of us reading this can certainly agree, because we are experiencing the very truth of what is stated above.  Younger people often feel that they have the world by the tail.  All is well, and they will never get old and feeble.  This amazing truth is here for us, I believe, that we might keep our eyes on heaven, and on eternal things!  Perhaps one of the greatest challenges as we do our pilgrimage here in earth is to remember we are just that:  Pilgrims.  We are not home yet, so let us not get so enamored with the things down here that we forget our heavenly home.  In our heads, we know the verses like, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness .  . .” .  We would nod in agreement.   We know that we are pilgrims etc., but how easily we seem to misplace our priorities.   So, may the Lord help us to be heavenly minded, while we make our journey down here.  Truly, nothing down here can satisfy.  Our real reason and purpose is to seek God, to live for Him and to be faithful to HIm.  Let us resolve to be more faithful to our Lord and Savior in the days ahead.  

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”  James 1:2,3

One of those most “astonishing” admonitions from the Bible!   “Count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations”. Unfortunately, we often read without really stopping to think about what we are reading and we move along quickly to the next words,  But, have you stopped to consider, be joyful when you go through trials, conflicts, and problems?    The first human reaction might be, “Are you crazy?”  How could we count such as experience as joyful?  First, let us understand “joy”.  This does not mean we are laughing or jumping up and down cheering, thought it may!   One might be shedding tears but  have joy in  his heart.  Joy may or may not be manifest by other outward emotions, but I think it is an inward feeling of peace and thankfulness.  How can we experience that when we are in trials?  By knowing that we have a God who loves us; who want the best for us; and orders our circumstances to bring out this best which results in glory to Him and good for us.   Knowing these things, we can experience joy.  WE are also aware that our trial isn’t permanent.  God will bring deliverance or healing at his determined time. And remember, who is in control.  IT is God.  We can cry, kick, and complain, but those  do not change the situation at all.  Or, we can go to God in prayer and rest fully on Him and on His Word, and find peace to ride out the storm.   Being able to rest in God amid the conflict is a great virtue and a great manifestation of our faith.

Good morning to all reading!  I pray God will bless you and all of us together in His body at Brentwood.  My prayer is that we would be a church that God uses to make a difference in the lives of people.  

I truly believe thankfulness to God is our greatest measure of spirituality, our closeness to God.  I want to share these quotes by godly people.

“If anyone could tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness and perfection , he must tell you to make it a rule to yourself to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you.  For it is certain that whatever seemingly calamity happens to you, if you thank and praise God for it, you turn it into a blessing.”    —William Law, English Clergyman

I thank God for my handicaps, for through the I have found myself, my work and my God. —Helen Keller

Bleed is he who submits to the will of God; he can never be unhappy.  Men may deal with him as they will, but he is without care; he knows that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” —Martin Luther