Keeping Our Attention
[By Peter Russom]

Ephesians 2:19 “Now therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” (NKJV).

How many times have you seen the sign in front of our building?  Likely, the answer would be that we walk past it each time that we attend.  You may have memorized the familiar verse printed on it many years ago; but surely, it is always good to read and consider God’s word. By definition, we learn from this passage that we are no longer guests (strangers) or sojourners (foreigners) but in fact have become a member of God’s household, which is to say that we are “of one’s family”, a “relative” to one another. Someone seeking the Lord may read that same sign and decide to attend our next worship service.

In a larger context, one could ask if Christians are fully seeing, listening, and following God’s word wherever they are today? Are we paying close enough attention to the Lord in a culture so superficial that it encourages and applauds people who are simply attention seekers? Can we too adopt that shallow and worldly aim to glorify our own lives or have we remained truly humble and attentive to God’s word, seeking to please Him and glorify His name?

Proverbs 22:4 “By humility and fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life” (NKJV).

Repainting the Sign

Before we purchased the new sign years ago, there was a wooden version that would periodically need to be repainted.  I often volunteered to do this task for two reasons, the first being that I simply enjoy painting. The second, and more significant reason, is that putting another layer of paint upon the sign became another opportunity for reflection and prayer. Repeating this process could never become redundant because time had passed and life had moved forward since the last application of paint. The new paint layer cleared and cleaned the sign as it covered the aged and faded material underneath, signaling a type of renewal.  It is good for us to take time to praise our Lord for all of His blessings and for renewing our commitment to being faithful to Him.

Psalm 107:1 “Give thanks to the LORD, For He is good, For His mercy is everlasting” (NKJV).

Gratitude

When did you begin to consider obeying the gospel? What prompted you to reflect on your life and ultimately recognize that you were in a lost state spiritually?  We know that there are thousands (likely millions) of people out there who now are in the same position that you were once in. What changed your circumstance and who first offered God’s word to you? For me, it was Robin.

How about you? Let us all be thankful for the love that has been shown to us.

Ephesians 5:20 “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (NKJV).