New Year, New Attitude

Steve Goodier was quoted several years ago in Reader’s Digest saying, “Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over our nation's deserts. All vultures see is rotting meat because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. But hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants. The vultures live on what was. They live on the past. They fill themselves with what is dead and gone. But hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life. They fill themselves with freshness and life. Each bird finds what it is looking for. We all do.”

The noted English architect Sir Christopher Wren was supervising the construction of a magnificent cathedral in London. A journalist thought it would be interesting to interview some of the workers, so he chose three and asked them this question, "What are you doing?" The first replied, "I'm cutting stone for 10 shillings a day." The next answered, "I'm putting in 10 hours a day on this job." But the third said, "I'm helping Sir Christopher Wren construct one of London's greatest cathedrals."

Your attitude affects your perspective. That is why it is so important. Many Christians have lost their way because the Devil has succeeded in warping their attitude about God, about life and about the future. He has caused them to quit seeing the great things of God and see only the pains and failures of their past. As you enter a new year why not do what the apostle Paul urged in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” How do you do that? You must let the Word of God shape your mind, your attitude, and your behavior. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8) Do you get it? Whatever you set your mind on will determine your attitude and your attitude will set the agenda of your life.

Our annual affirmation of obedience to God’s command to bring all the tithe into the storehouse is only a few weeks out on February 5th. It is not an extra offering, but simply an act of obedience according to Malachi 3. Let’s all continue to give our tithe or to begin obeying God in this matter and testing His promise… go read Malachi 3 if you are unfamiliar with what I am talking about. It’s the only place in scripture where God actually commands us to test Him!

Our January book study continues Sunday from 5-6 PM in the Worship Center. It’s not too late to join, and copies of the book are still available for you to pick up in our Welcome Center… I’ll see then.

And remember, God is always trying to take us someplace new. I love being your Pastor!

For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray
 
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)