Be careful what you toss out–may need it some day!  Many find it next to impossible to throw anything out.  You know who you are!  We lived in our previous home for twenty one years.  Raised most of our kids there.  Grandkids knew every nook-and-cranny, closet and crawl space.  Entertained lots of friends around our kitchen and dining room tables.   Worked hard on our home.  Mainly my wife Sue.

We lived in the midst of three towns that had many issues to contend with.  Yes, lots of wonderful people.  Had a super job there with a large investment firm.  Met and married my wonderful wife.  Served the Lord at the best little church any pastor ever served.

Struggling towns economically with way too much abuse of all kinds.  This was telling.  No hiding it.  Our downtown appeared as a town on the way down.  Nevertheless,  it was hard to leave our home and hometown.  But we did.  Now we closer to all our children and those precious grands!

We had to let things go–to Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, friends, family… and the monthly garbage can.  Our old house had too many storage spaces.  We used every one.  Our new home has a lot less space,  so we had to ‘lighten the load’.   And we did.

But remember, be careful what you cast aside as you may need it some day.  Psalm 50: 17– ‘For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you’.  Casting God’s Word aside as if an old collection of myths and fairy tales.  Not any of that.  It’s God’s Word from start to finish, Genesis to Revelation.

True then…true now.  The world, our nation, and even some Church denominations are casting aside the Word of God.  Outmoded.  Out of date.  Don’t believe it for one second.  My old denomination changed the rules over 80 years ago–the rule being the inerrant, infallible measure of our faith, the Bible.  But then, to be modern and ‘with it’, they loosed the ties that bind to the truth of God, which has led that church body to be increasingly insignificant,  suffering decreasing membership with local churches leaving in droves.  The ones remaining barely survive. Why, they ask?

They have no idea.  It’s not that hard to figure out, if you really want to know.  It has to do with what they’ve cast aside.  Psalm 50:17-18–‘For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you.  If you see a thief, you are pleased with him,  and you keep company with adulterers.’  They have cast aside God’s moral law allowing and even celebrating what God had forbidden.  Sound like today?  We dare not cast aside the Word of God.  Some will make fun, even mock.  So be it.  Never cast aside the Word of God.  Never.

Prayer:  Thank you, God,  for Your Word.  True, perfect, nourishing and good.  We stand on your Word.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.