From Our President: December 2015

Danny Whetstone“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Rarely do I watch a large volume of news anymore. This morning has been the exception, primarily because of the events of recent times in Paris, France. There are so many uncertainties in the world today. Perhaps it is not so new, but it seems that it is, at least in its intensity. What are you facing today that occupies your attention? Physical problems, spiritual problems, financial problems and international problems are on every hand. Oftentimes, it seems to be overwhelming. How much more for the Apostle Paul. He was thrown out of most of the towns that he preached in. However, that was the least of all the things that he faced. Now he takes time to ponder all that the Lord is preparing for us in the future. His conclusion was that these are “light afflictions” when compared to the “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” that is in our future.

This is Paul’s advice to the believers in Philippi in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” A vacuum is rarely a good thing. The natural tendency will usually be to think on the temporal. It requires purpose of mind and heart to overcome the natural. We will think, but we can make choices about what we think on. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5). I wish that the doing of this was as easy as typing it in this note! This requires diligence on our part. We often rush through life hoping to outrun the thoughts that haunt us. We will never be fast enough to be successful in that race. Sometimes we must be still and purposely push out the thoughts that have invaded the vacuum with the things that are eternal.

Stop! Take a moment to ask yourself, “What am I constantly thinking about?” Would our Lord be better served if we replaced those thoughts with things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report? I suppose that some are so made that these come naturally, but most of us probably have to think this way on purpose. Life is generally not easy. It was not in Paul’s day, and it certainly is not in ours. The Lord wants us to be victorious. That victory will be initiated in our thoughts.

I am encouraged and blessed by your continued faithfulness. Let us, by the grace of God, live victoriously on purpose. It certainly will not happen otherwise.

In His Service,
Danny A. Whetstone