It's amazing how life's circumstances alter our appreciation of the common everyday occurrences of life.  So often we fail to appreciate the depth of meaning in what may appear to be common and simple everyday practices.  Life has a way of teaching us to value that which we may so often take for granted. As Christians we often quote scriptures and repeat inspirational sayings and we do it as routine.  Unfortunately, we fail to realize the importance of the things we say until we are placed in experiences that alter our perspective.

Dr. Drew E. Marshall, Senior Pastor

I think about how Sunday after Sunday from the pulpit the words are quoted from the scriptures, "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord."  What a perfect way to begin Sunday worship.  The words are most appropriate.  They reflect our sentiments, and purpose us for worship.  However, repeating these words each Sunday may allow them to become routine and we may fail to appreciate fully the blessing and significance of all that is implied.  To think, that whatever we encounter during the week our being in the Lord's house on Sunday morning is testimony that God has brought us through and we ought be glad.

I humbly admit to having a new appreciation for these words.  Never again will I be able to talk about entering the Lord's house with a "business as usual" attitude.  The lesson I've learned to value is that tomorrow is promised to no one.  And yes, life is but a vapor that appears for a while and soon vanishes.  It is easy, very easy to take the blessings of God for granted.

We should all bless God for the reminders that help us to appreciate Him more in our lives. 

We must not allow ourselves to become too comfortable with God's blessings.  It's amazing!  God owes us nothing, yet gives us everything we need.

Never again will I out of routine say, "I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord."

Now when I enter the Lord's house, I truly can say, with right now joy and eternal gratitude—I am glad to be in the service, in the House of the Lord, one more time—I am glad and hope you are glad, glad to be in the House of the Lord!