Recently, we had the privilege to go to Calvary Baptist Church in Bishop, California to meet with 30 wonderful couples  for a time of Marriage Enrichment.  On Monday after the conference, we were able to visit Yosemite National Park.  With amazement we stood at the bottom of the huge pine and redwood trees and looked up, up and up, trying to comprehend their height.  Yet, behind the trees stood rock-faced cliffs that towered three or more times taller.  In comparison to God’s awesome creation, we are so small.  In Isaiah 40:22 the Word says, “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers.  He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.”   While we know that we are very small in comparison to the earth and universe that God has created, we celebrate the fact that we are not insignificant in His sight.

   Over the past several days, the Lord has been reminding us of the importance of living like who we are in Him.  After a very busy summer, we have had a few days at home to spend time in the Word.  We have been studying and preparing for some new messages and for Bible studies that have resumed.  The Lord has graciously reminded us that we are to be living like who we are in Christ instead of who we once were before we were saved.  II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”  The phrase “in Christ” paints a picture of resting in Him because of an intimate union which leads to oneness of heart, mind and purpose.                     

   When I was a teenager I played the piano some at my home church, Jerusalem Baptist Church, and later at Pleasant Ridge, our first church where Wayne pastored.  Since I was concentrating so hard on getting the notes played correctly, I often missed the valuable words that were being sung.  Today, the Lord reminded me of the song, Count Your Blessings.  The first verse says, “When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed; When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost; Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and It will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”