Take it for granted . . .

by Dan Curry

    There are certain things that we really do not think about very much.   When you get up in the morning you probably are not thinking that you are alive and breathing because that happens every day. You walk in bathroom and you flip a switch and the light comes on.  You turn the handle on the faucet and the water comes out.  You probably do not think about those things at all unless they do not work.  If for some reason the light does not come on then you wonder what happened or if the water did not come out like it was supposed to then you would think about it.  If you did not wake up, well, you would not have to think about that I suppose. 

    

But let’s do think about that for a moment.  When you woke up and did all that you normally do each morning; did you pause and thank God for the day?  One of my favorite verses in the book of Psalms is found in the 118^th chapter and verse 24: This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

   

    The true living God of heaven allowed this day to happen and everyone should be giving Him the praise, glory and thanksgiving for it.  Instead we seemingly rush around and take it for granted.  Maybe even saying that we will do some things tomorrow or even next week or next month and not realizing that those may not come for us.  One day this life will end and we should treat each day as a gift.  It has been said that it why it is called the “present”. 

    

    This is not something new or ground breaking but something that I do think about from time to time.  It should be on our minds constantly.  Remember the words of Jesus in Luke 12:16-21

And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive.  "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?'  "Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.   'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."'    "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'  "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

                                        

And in Matthew 6:33-34

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

    When we do take things for granted then we become complacent and when things go wrong we are upset.  Have a thankful attitude at all times giving the glory to God in Christ every day.

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Getting Away

by Dan Curry

   

   There is a good chance this summer that many of us will take some time away from our normal routine.  This is necessary sometimes to help us relax and unwind.  However, this should not include a break from worshipping God. 

   Some people will take a vacation and not plan on where to worship on Sunday or Wednesday evening.  One minister that I know told me that he went to Orlando, FL one year on vacation.  On Sunday morning he went to services at a local congregation.  He met some of the local Christians while there and the place was quite full of visitors.  That evening he returned for worship and one of the locals recognized and greeted him saying, “You must be a preacher or elder” The preacher asked, “Why do you say that?”  “They are the only ones who come for the evening service” was the reply. 

   How sad that Christians justify not attending worship just because they are not near their hometown congregation.   Attending worship for faithful Christians should be something that is the highlight of each and every week.  Not only when at home but also when away.  The opportunity to worship God should be sought after and cherished.  We only have so many Sundays in our lifetime; please do not waste them by not attending and praising the God of heaven.  Our heavenly Father loves us and desires for us to reciprocate that love in complete obedience to His will.  Not attending worship when you are able is willfully disobeying the Creator, the one who sent His Son to die for us in order that we might have the hope of Heaven.   

   Getting away from our normal routine is good to do, saying that worship is included in that is not.  Plan accordingly no matter where your destination happens to be.  Perhaps, you will make a friendship with a fellow Christian that will surprise you.  Obeying Christ shows that you are His friend.  There is no greater friend than Jesus Christ.