Dear Church Family,
Thank you for affording me the opportunity to preach through Ecclesiastes this fall. While it is a favorite book of my favorite Book, I still get worked over in my soul when I spend time with the Lord in Ecclesiastes. I hope it has been used by the Lord to bless you as well.
Our Lord is so very kind to want the best for us. And, although Satan is out there prowling like a lion looking to steal, kill, destroy and devour us on this earth, Jesus Christ not only provided the means for us to have an eternal and abundant life, but He sent His Holy Spirit to guide us in the life He bought for us with His own blood.
This fall season of life in our culture can be very busy during a normal year. Fall 2017 is not a normal fall season for our church family, it seems to be busier than usual. But, in the busyness and uncertainty that seems to be present, we can still have stability. God the Creator ordained this season of life for us. And, He wants us to continue to trust Him through it. Through faithful endurance and by clinging to His word, He will provide stability through this season.
Recently in Sunday school, we did a survey of the book of Psalms. In one of the discussions, it was mentioned that Shane & Shane – a Christian worship group – has a couple of albums in which they put selected Psalms to music. I absolutely LOVE both of these albums and highly recommend them.
I have been listening to their rendition of Psalm 63 over and over. The Lord has graciously used His word to remind me where I need to find my stability and satisfaction. Not in the things that are seen or the things of earth, but only in Him.
Psalm 63:1-5
1 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your love is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4 So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
There are good things here on earth. Grapeland is a beautiful place to live and raise a family. Work can be rewarding. Rest can be sweet. Travel and family and holidays can be lots of fun. But nothing can compare to the blessing of knowing Christ Jesus. It is in Him that we have eternal and abundant life.
Church family, in this season of life (and every season), let us find our satisfaction and stability in Christ, and in Christ alone.
I look forward to our next gathering together to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. See you then.
Matt Henderson
Chairman of Deacons
P.S.If you get a chance to purchase and download the Shane & Shane albums Psalm and Psalms Vol. 2, do it! You’ll be blessed.