Life Is Good

Read: Psalm 16:5-11

Last year I preached a sermon series titled “Living The Good Life.”  This week I had to wonder how that same sermon series would go over in this very challenging and different year of 2020.  As I looked back on those messages I realized that the Good Life is more about how we approach life than how we sometimes experience it.  If we approach life from a worldly perspective we often see the bad, if we approach life from a Godly perspective it is much easier to see the good and celebrate the blessings we do have in life.

In Psalm 16 David realizes this.  He writes, “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.”  A couple verses later he says, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord, with him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”  In verse 11 he says, “You make known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence.”  David was realizing how important it is to have a God-centered perspective on life even in the midst of the troubles and trials of this world.
 

Each morning as I am getting ready for my day I see a wall plaque that reminds me of some of these Christ-centered pathways to a good life.  Around the phrase “Life is Good” it has wonderful reminders of what truly makes my life good.  Things like being kind, being true, seeking peace, keeping the faith, and being a friend.  Encouragements to be joyful, love others, treasure family, and laugh.  These truly are the things that Jesus can use to show us the path to life.  Let’s try to be reminded of them each day as we head out to work, school, and whatever path the Lord leads us on that day.

Make it Personal:  These traits and characteristics of “The Good Life” are found in God’s Word, the Bible.  Make daily Bible reading an important part of your life.  The words of scripture are a great reminder of how the blessings in life far outweigh the challenges of life.  Let’s make sure we have those daily reminders.

Have a blessed week, Glen Rhodes



Grateful For The Giver

Read: 1 Chronicles 16:23-34

For this weeks Thanksgiving reflection we turn to something that James Spencer from the Moody Center wrote earlier this year titled “A Prayer of Thanksgiving: Grateful for the Giver.”  Here is what he writes….

“As the body of Christ endures our current moment of trouble, it seems an appropriate time to remember that “man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3). The Israelites spent 40 hard years in the wilderness depending on God for all the necessities of life to learn that walking in obedience with God matters. It is not that food, shelter, clothing, or health are trivial matters. They aren’t. God does not teach Israel to detach from the physical world or to view the creation He has made as evil. Rather, God reminds Israel that trusting in God’s wisdom is the means by which those who walk with God navigate that challenges of the physical world.

Even after the forty years in the wilderness, God recognizes the human tendency to focus on the gift and to forget the Giver (Deut 8:11-20). Several years ago, I wrote the following prayer to help remind me that, as D.L. Moody said, “I am so thankful that I have a joy that the world can not rob me of…a treasure that the world cannot take from me…” No matter what we face, we have God with us. Unlike those around us, we have His peace, which is beyond our understanding; His hope, which is not grounded in health or prosperity; and His joy, which is not fleeting but endures as we come to know God more deeply. Let’s pray that even in the midst of the challenging times in which we find ourselves that we will find it in ourselves to have hearts of gratitude.”


Make it Personal:  Here is the full D.L. Moody quote mentioned above… “I am so thankful that I have a joy that the world can not rob me of; I have a treasure that the world can not take from me; I have something that it is not in the power of man or devil to deprive me of, and that is the joy of the Lord.” – D.L. Moody

Have a blessed week,  Glen Rhodes



I See The Evidence

Read: Psalm 36:5-9

During this very difficult year of 2020 it has been easy to look around and see the evidence of things we don’t like, things we don’t agree with, or things we wish were different.  David in the Psalms can relate to these feelings as well.  But one thing we notice in the many Psalms that David wrote is that in the midst of trial and turmoil he also sees evidence of God’s goodness and faithfulness.  That’s important for us to remember during this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I recently heard a wonderful new song on the radio that gives testimony to this.  The song “Evidence” by Josh Baldwin encourages us to look for and see the evidence of God’s goodness and faithfulness all over our lives.  I will just let his lyrics speak the rest of the message….

“All throughout my history your faithfulness has walked beside me, the winter storms made way for spring in every season.  From where I’m standing I see the evidence of your goodness all over my life.  I see your promises in fulfillment all over my life.”

The second and third verses continue… “Help me remember when I’m weak, fear may come but fear will leave.  You lead my heart to victory, you are my strength, and you will always be.  See the cross, the empty grave, the evidence is endless.  All my sin rolled away, because of you, Oh Jesus.  Why should I fear, the evidence is here.”  And then the chorus one more time… “I see the evidence of your goodness, all over my life.  I see your promises in fulfillment, all over my life.”

In Psalm 36 David says, “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”  What wonderful lyrics and words of scripture to encourage us during this wonderful season of gratitude and rejoicing.  Look to Jesus this week and see the evidence of Christ all over your life.

Make it Personal:  Take out your Bible this week and turn to the Psalms.  You will find many of these uplighting words to bring light and hope to your day.  Look up Josh Baldwin’s new song “Evidence” on your favorite streaming site this week as well.  I promise, both of these will bring a wonderful new perspective to things in your life.

Have a blessed week,  Glen Rhodes



The Gift of Patience

Read: Matthew 7:7-11; Proverbs 14:29

Are you a patient person?  Most people would probably answer “no” to that question, but I have known and do know some very patient people in my life.  Whether you consider yourself a patient person or not God has promised to give us this gift of patience if we ask for it.  In his short book “Patience, A Hidden Treasure” Calvin L. Emerson writes this about this gift from the Lord….

“Patience is one of His precious gifts and it has great value.  It is a gift that helps us endure trials without questioning whether God really loves us or not.  It is a gift that keeps us from being irate because we don’t get what we perceive will make our lives easier.  It is a gift that helps us work through the hurdles of life without giving up or becoming depressed.  The gift of patience will bring us great peace.”

He goes on to write… “Patience is a precious, life-giving gift from God.  When we are able to walk in patience our lives will automatically become sweeter.  We will experience more joy and laughter.  We will experience far less stress and anger when we receive the gift of patience.”  Proverbs 14:29 says, “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”

In Matthew 7:7-11 Jesus says that our Father in heaven will give good gifts to those who ask Him.  Patience is one of those gifts.  We need to ask for it, especially at times in our life when it is needed most.  Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find…”  Patience is just one of the many gifts that Jesus wants to bless us with.  Ask for it, seek after it, and find the peace that it can bring to your life.

Make it Personal:  The next time you find yourself becoming impatient stop and remember this gift that God offers to you.  You have help in these matters of life and it comes from your Father in heaven.  Receive that gift and allow it to bring the calm, peace, and joy that Jesus wants you to have.

Have a great week,  Glen Rhodes