| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Be smart, be strategic” Our Bible verse for today: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (NIV) Our thought for today: “It’s a matter of attitude and focus” In Acts chapter sixteen Paul and Silas where prisoners in the jail in Philippi. They had been falsely accused, arrested, stripped, beaten with rods, jailed, and locked in a cell with their feet in stocks. In Acts 16:25 we read, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” What a great attitude they had about their suffering for Christ! This is what Paul was writing about in Romans 8:37 when he said, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” At that moment they couldn’t control their circumstances, but they could control their attitude about their circumstances. That reminds me of a line from a poem about attitude and outlook which also alludes to a jail scene: “Two men looked out through the same bars; One sees the mud and the other the stars.” It also reminds me of the elderly Christian woman who had been very active in church work and missions her entire life but, in her old age and due to declining health, she was now a shut-in. But instead of withdrawing and becoming depressed, she simply shifted gears and continued to minister in ways that her circumstances allowed. In her case she prayed over the church directory every day, looking at the pictures and praying for the individuals by name. She also made numerous phone calls to church members just to stay in touch and to encourage them. And she wrote letters and sent notes. She told her pastor, “I may be shut in, but I am not shut out.” We’ve all known special people who seem to suffer well, or who rebound from one loss after another, or who just handle difficulties well. It’s not that they have fewer troubles than the rest of us – they may in fact have more, but they still seem to appreciate life and they find joy in the midst of the challenges. What’s their secret? Attitude and focus. Their focus is on Christ and their attitude is positive. He is their source of strength and hope and joy. Consequently, they refuse to be defeated. They agree with Paul that despite the challenges, they are more than conquerors through Christ. Having the right attitude and keeping your focus on Jesus is smart because with a good attitude and a right focus you will find ways to deal with and overcome your challenges. I encourage you to be smart and strategic by having a good attitude and keeping your focus on the Lord. God bless, Pastor Jim |
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