From the beginning, God has been God. He has had no rivals and no counselors. God has always done “according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:35). God is immutable, so God is still as much God as He ever was. No matter what happens to us or where we may be, God is still God. No matter what happens to us or where we may be, God is still holy, just, sovereign, and merciful. That is to say the character of God is unaffected by the circumstances of our flesh. No matter what is happening to my flesh, God is God.

For every pain we must bear, for every sorrow, every care,

There is a reason!

For every falsehood that is said, for every tear that is shed,

There is a reason!

For every grief, for every trial, for every weary, lonely mile,

There is a reason!

For we will trust our God as we should. All this will work for our good because our God is the reason! (Romans 8:28-39)

Pastor Henry Mahan

The sooner we quit seeking our own glory, the sooner we shall see Christ’s glory. The sooner we quit looking at our righteousness, the sooner we shall see Christ’s righteousness. The sooner we cease from our labors to earn blessings from God, the sooner we can enter His rest.

Pastor Joe Terrell

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

When it comes right down to it, the main question in the minds of religious people is, “What do I have to do to be saved?”. The Philippian jailer asked that same question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). The simple answer to that eternal question is, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31). The unregenerate man will answer, “Yes, but what else do I have to do? What other works to I have to do?” The answer is none. The person who is saved is the person who has not contributed any works to his salvation. “To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Rom 4:5). Are any works of the law required from me for salvation? No, none. Are any works of morality required from me for salvation? No, none. All the work of salvation has been finished by the Lord Jesus Christ. All the believer does is believe on Him, and even that faith is a work of God which is given to us by the Holy Spirit. The believer then is left resting in Christ.

THE CARES OF THIS LIFE

The Bible does recognize “The cares of this life”, also called, “The cares of the world.” The word “cares” means, “That which distracts.” The cares of making a living, the cares of raising a family, the cares of doing a good job at what we are doing - there are so many things that can be considered “The cares of this life.”

The Lord warned us about having our hearts “overcharged” with the cares of this life (Luke 21:34). “Overcharged” is the drowsiness associated with drunkenness or gluttony. Our hearts may become drowsy and dull with regard to the things of God because they have become “Overcharged with the cares of this life.” If we continue in this state, it will prove at the end we were nothing more than thorn-choked hearers, where “The cares of this world choked the Word.” May we always remember, “The cares of this life” are unimportant compared with the life to come. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness: and all these things shall be added to you.