What we look for in life?

What we look for in life, and where, are vitally important. I encountered two different birds in Panama — they also happen to live here in Michigan; The hummingbird and the vulture. Both fly over the landscape looking for food and they both eventually find what they are looking for. They enjoy far different meals because the hummingbird looks for life and its sweetness, the nectar of sweet flowers, while the vulture looks for death. What a blessing we receive when we keep our minds and tongues stayed on Jesus. When tempted to ask “Why does He allow trials in my life?” We can remember it’s because He loves us enough to fit us for heaven and eternity with Him. “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried” Dan. 12:10. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12.

“In seasons of temptation we seem to lose sight of the fact that God tests us that our faith may be tried and be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus. The Lord places us in different positions to develop us. If we have defects of character of which we are not aware, He gives us discipline that will bring those defects to our knowledge, that we may overcome them. It is His providence that brings us into varying circumstances. In each new position, we meet a different class of temptations.” TMK 282.2

When tempted and tried we can respond with a critical spirit or a humble one. We can voice our criticisms to others, or our praises because we have already taken it to Jesus. Some years ago a member of a little church in a small town became exceedingly discouraged, and brooded over his trials to such an extent that he became an inveterate grumbler. He found fault with his brethren because he imagined they did not treat him well. The minister had just begun a special ten day service in the church and after the close of the special Sabbath morning service our unhappy brother invited the minister to his house to dinner. While they were waiting alone in the parlor, he began his doleful story by saying:–
“You have no idea of my troubles; and one of the greatest is that others in the church treat me very badly.”
The minister propounded the following questions:–
“Did they ever spit in your face?”
“No; they haven’t come to that.”
“Did they ever smite you?”
“No.”
“Did they ever crown you with thorns?”
This last question he could not answer, but bowed his head thoughtfully. The other replied:–
“Your Master and mine was thus treated, and His disciples fled and left Him in the hands of the wicked. Yet He opened not His
mouth.”
The effect of this conversation was wonderful. Both men bowed in prayer, and earnestly sought to possess the mind which was in Christ Jesus. During the ten days’ meetings the discontented brother became wonderfully changed. He began to labor and pray with his friends, and many souls were brought to Christ.

“We must rise to a higher and still higher spirituality. We must cease all complaining, and cultivate the giving of thanks. We must work for the salvation of perishing souls. We must lay hold of the supreme Power, and close our ears to complaint and faultfinding. Crush this inclination, and empty the soul temple of evil-thinking. Let not one unhappy thought remain within. Souls are perishing in their sins. Work to the glory of God.” TDG 347

Pastor Mike Wise