Gleanings for September 1

HOPE & VISION

Ephesians 4: 17 & 18 NKJ & NLB: “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk ….in the futility of your mind, having your understanding darkened, being separated from the life of God….”

“With the Lord’s authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness: they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against Him.”

Very soon the Fall Sessions of school will begin. As I read the above scripture it seemed like a good exhortation for all of us even though we may have completed most of our “formal” education. We should never stop learning!

The word “futility” (as written in the NKJT) is a word to especially notice—a footnote in my Bible says: “Five traits of a worldly walk are summed up in the word “futility” it means: “Emptiness” or “Purposelessness.”

Notice the five traits mentioned: (l) darkened understanding;

(2) Alienation from God; (3) ignorance of God’s way; (4) hardened heart;

(5) an unfeeling state or “ceasing to care.”(This is the Greek meaning.)

The verses 4:17, 18 are dealing with spiritual truths but they are very applicable as we listen to the thoughts of people today. I believe you would agree that many youth, as well as adults, have feelings of “emptiness or purposelessness” Could the reason be that they have never heard the truth about how much our Father God loves them?

During my grade school years, it was the “in thing” to have an Autograph Book and let people write something special to a friend. My Aunt wrote the following poem for me—it is still special---I believe I am quoting it correctly:

“Said the Robin to the Sparrow, “I would really like to know,

Why these anxious, restless people, rush around and worry so,”

Said the Sparrow to the Robin, “I would guess that it must be

That they have no Heavenly Father such as cares for you and me”

That is a simple little verse, yet it does speak loudly. I trust we will give our young people a message of HOPE and VISION. Psalm 71 says: “You are my hope, O Lord God. You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been sustained from birth…my praise shall be continually of Y0U” (Verses 5 &6)

Speak encouragement to a young person today! Let them know you care about them; give them a smile or nod of approval—whether you know them very well or not. As you do this you will find:

:

The JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!!!