Worldly?

(01-20-22)– Spiritual Hindrances! –Proverbs 13:22)

My friend, may I ask you a question? Does God daily give us opportunity after the next to find pleasure in Him, but we so often choose our flesh over His spirit?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

I have three little grandsons, James, Jason and Joel. Joel is the youngest having not even celebrated as yet his first birth- day. My daughter Rachel dropped all three off at our place a week ago for PaPa and NaNa to take care of for a few hours. Holly and my son Dan were busy with the older boys so I got Joel. When Holly made the pass-off to me I received Joel and an armful of colorful, noisy toys. We sprawled out on the Great Room floor and I began entertaining him with first one toy and then the next. He played a bit with each but didn't seem to get much pleasure from any one toy. Instead he continually looked for that delicious thumb or knuckle to stick into his mouth. Ultimately it was his own little hand that gave him the most pleasure despite being surrounded by an array of pretty nice baby toys.

Daily God gives one opportunity after the next to find pleasure in Him, but we so often choose our flesh over His spirit.

Here's a story: Prior to his death from cancer at age 40 in March 1991, Republican campaign manager Lee Atwater was one of the most admired and hated men in American politics. His greatest accomplishment was guiding George H. Bush to a comeback victory over Michael Dukakis in 1988. Bush's comeback was partially the result of Atwater's skillful use of "attack" television commercials directed at Dukakis' record. But soon after his cancer was detected in the summer of 1990, Lee became a Christian. He said: "I've found Jesus Christ. He's made a difference, and I'm glad I've found Him while there's still time." Atwater spent much of his remaining life publicly apologizing for his attacks. Reflecting on the past, Atwater said: "The 80's were about: wealth, power, and prestige. I know. I acquired more wealth and power and prestige than most. But you can acquire all you want and still feel empty." He continued: "It took a deadly illness to put me eye to eye with that truth, but it is a truth that the country, caught up in its ruthless ambitions and moral decay, can learn on my dime." (Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances dictate.)

Wealth and power disappear quickly; but our relationship with the Lord lasts through eternity. Knowing that, isn't odd, even sad, that we so often choose the things of this world over the things of Heaven? Like little Joel we just can't seem to find the pleasure we're looking for in anything other than our own flesh. God offers us the riches of eternal life, and we choose to suck the thumb of worldly pleasures. We CAN learn on Atwater's dime; the lesson is this: when the choice is pleasing ourselves or pleasing God, one leads to a temporary albeit fleshly pleasure, the other lead to eternal life. Easy choice; or at least it ought to be?

We pray. Heavenly Father, You offer us the riches of eternal life, and we often choose to suck the thumb of worldly pleasures. Please forgive us Father. We should learn this lesson: when the choice is pleasing ourselves or pleasing You, one leads to a temporary albeit fleshly pleasure, the other lead to eternal life. Easy choice; or at least it ought to be? In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.

Worldly?

(01-20-22)– Spiritual Hindrances! –Proverbs 13:22)

My friend, may I ask you a question? Does God daily give us opportunity after the next to find pleasure in Him, but we so often choose our flesh over His spirit?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

I have three little grandsons, James, Jason and Joel. Joel is the youngest having not even celebrated as yet his first birth- day. My daughter Rachel dropped all three off at our place a week ago for PaPa and NaNa to take care of for a few hours. Holly and my son Dan were busy with the older boys so I got Joel. When Holly made the pass-off to me I received Joel and an armful of colorful, noisy toys. We sprawled out on the Great Room floor and I began entertaining him with first one toy and then the next. He played a bit with each but didn't seem to get much pleasure from any one toy. Instead he continually looked for that delicious thumb or knuckle to stick into his mouth. Ultimately it was his own little hand that gave him the most pleasure despite being surrounded by an array of pretty nice baby toys.

Daily God gives one opportunity after the next to find pleasure in Him, but we so often choose our flesh over His spirit.

Here's a story: Prior to his death from cancer at age 40 in March 1991, Republican campaign manager Lee Atwater was one of the most admired and hated men in American politics. His greatest accomplishment was guiding George H. Bush to a comeback victory over Michael Dukakis in 1988. Bush's comeback was partially the result of Atwater's skillful use of "attack" television commercials directed at Dukakis' record. But soon after his cancer was detected in the summer of 1990, Lee became a Christian. He said: "I've found Jesus Christ. He's made a difference, and I'm glad I've found Him while there's still time." Atwater spent much of his remaining life publicly apologizing for his attacks. Reflecting on the past, Atwater said: "The 80's were about: wealth, power, and prestige. I know. I acquired more wealth and power and prestige than most. But you can acquire all you want and still feel empty." He continued: "It took a deadly illness to put me eye to eye with that truth, but it is a truth that the country, caught up in its ruthless ambitions and moral decay, can learn on my dime." (Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances dictate.)

Wealth and power disappear quickly; but our relationship with the Lord lasts through eternity. Knowing that, isn't odd, even sad, that we so often choose the things of this world over the things of Heaven? Like little Joel we just can't seem to find the pleasure we're looking for in anything other than our own flesh. God offers us the riches of eternal life, and we choose to suck the thumb of worldly pleasures. We CAN learn on Atwater's dime; the lesson is this: when the choice is pleasing ourselves or pleasing God, one leads to a temporary albeit fleshly pleasure, the other lead to eternal life. Easy choice; or at least it ought to be?

We pray. Heavenly Father, You offer us the riches of eternal life, and we often choose to suck the thumb of worldly pleasures. Please forgive us Father. We should learn this lesson: when the choice is pleasing ourselves or pleasing You, one leads to a temporary albeit fleshly pleasure, the other lead to eternal life. Easy choice; or at least it ought to be? In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.