| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Sanctification” Our Bible verse for today: “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 (CSB) Our thought for today: “The things that really matter” Since I will soon turn seventy, I have at this point in life lived through most of the seasons of life. Hopefully I still have many years in front of me, but if we make it through all the other seasons, then the senior years are the final season of life on earth for all of us. Additionally, as a pastor for close to thirty years, I have observed and worked closely with people in all seasons of life, and I have watched them progress through the different seasons. One trend that seems to be common to almost all of us is that we spend the young adult and middle years of life accumulating possessions, and then we spend the final season of life getting rid of them. Invariably, as people age, they also downsize. They clear out the clutter in the attics and basements, they go through closets and get rid of clothes they haven’t worn in years, they empty out storage units and sheds, they even sell large homes and move into smaller ones. Why? Why the tendency to downsize and get rid of possessions we spent decades accumulating? One of the reasons is often that the person finally realizes the truth of Jesus’ words in Luke 12:15 that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. In fact, possessions often get in the way. Too many possessions can actually diminish the quality of life rather than improving it. When you own things, you have to put time and money into taking care of them. Those things cost money to purchase to begin with, then they take up space to store, and then they often steal our time that would be better spent in other ways. There’s a lot to be said for a less-cluttered and simpler life that focuses more on health, relationships, and spiritual growth. Those are the things that really matter and which make for a full, rich, happy life. As we grow in spiritual maturity, we come to realize that Galatians 5:22-23 is the true measure of how successful our life has been: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Is your life filled with too many of the wrong things? Perhaps you need to do a little downsizing so you can focus more on the things that really matter. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
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Oak Hill Baptist Church 
Happy soon to be 70 birthday, whenever that is! 30 years ministering? That is a wonderful accomplishment. Praise the Lord. May God bless you with good health for your service to Him. May good things come your way. May you always feel His presence and power at work in your life. In Jesus’ name.
Thank you Donna. I was blessed to have a 21 year career in the U.S. Navy and I went into ministry after that. My second career has now lasted longer than my first one. Lol.
Wow! 21 years is awesome. Curios as to what rank did you attain? First was for your country. Your second one is far more meaningful and impactful for the kingdom. You actually ranked up. God bless!
Thank you. I was a Lieutenant Commander, the equivalent of a Major in the Army.
Very cool. Thank you for your service to our country.