We started out this bi-weekly edition of our devotionals with Pastor Paul Chappell’s tribute to Dr. Don Sisk who went home to be with the Lord on July 6th. By now, the funeral is finished, his home on the BIMI property is cleaned out as well as the nursing home in Ohio where he spent his last days, and his dearest friends and family have continued on with their daily lives and routines.
We were never meant to wallow and languish in grief. Dr. Sisk himself didn’t when his wife of 65 years, Virginia, passed away in 2017. Not a day went by that he didn’t miss her. However, he continued on serving the Lord.
Though we don’t linger in the past, we still want to remember with fondness and gratitude what another life meant to us. Such is the case with this devotional and tomorrow’s. Again, Pastor Chappell reflects in 2014 on 10 Lessons From 60 Years. Read, apply, and rejoice in these lessons.
—–
Two weeks ago (the original article was written on September 4, 2014), I was sitting on the edge of my seat listening to a lesson Dr. Don Sisk gave at our annual staff training. It was titled “Principles for Life” and was full of biblical, practical advice.
Dr. Don Sisk is eighty years old and has served the Lord for sixty years in ministry—and he is still full of the joy of the Lord as he serves.
Each of the ten principles Dr. Sisk gave spoke to my heart, and the entire evening had God’s anointing touch on it. These principles were so meaningful to me that I added them to my daily planner for frequent review, and I wanted to share them with you.
As you read these, picture yourself sitting in a room with a man who has served the Lord faithfully, fruitfully, and joyfully for over six decades giving you his ten secrets to life:
- Relationships are more important than fame or things.
Fame and things are fleeting, but relationships are what life is made of. Develop and maintain your relationships—with the Lord, your spouse, your family, your co-workers, those you serve in ministry, and—especially—those who don’t know the Lord.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.—Matthew 6:19–21
- Nothing anyone can do to me can harm me; only my reaction will harm me.
People can hurt us—and they often do. But there is a difference between hurt and harm. When we react to the hurt others bring into our lives, we allow them to control our future. When we respond with grace and forgiveness and trust in God, we place our future in the hands of God. The life of Joseph stands as a reminder that God overrules the hurt brought by wicked men. Ultimately, only our reactions can harm us.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.—Romans 8:28
- It is more blessed to give than to receive.
We spend our lives living to get or learning to give. Giving brings more joy.
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.—Acts 20:35
- Each person is a creation of God and is unique.
There are no insignificant people. Treat everybody you meet as more important than you—as the most important person in the world. And remember, God has a unique purpose for your life as well!
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.—Jeremiah 1:5
- Happiness is a by-product of faithfulness to God and not a goal.
When we chase happiness, we find disappointment. When we serve faithfully, we find happiness.
But godliness with contentment is great gain.—1 Timothy 6:6
*https://paulchappell.com/2014/09/04/10-lessons-from-60-years/
Images are taken from https://pixabay.com/, https://www.pexels.com/, or https://unsplash.com/images or created in Windows Copilot. According to the websites, they are Royalty Free and free to be used for our purposes.
