I guess you might say that I am feeling somewhat nostalgic today. It was about this time of the year in the year 1971 when I became the student pastor of the Volunteers of America chapel. I was in my junior year at the Practical Bible Training School in Johnson City, New York. The precious group of twenty-five to thirty met for church every Sunday night on the corner of Exchange and Susquehanna streets in downtown Binghamton.

These dear folks taught me so much. The list would be very lengthy, but here are a few things so clearly demonstrated by those dear believers many years ago.

1. Knowing the Lord Jesus brings genuine joy.
2. Material possessions do not bring lasting happiness.
3. Relationships are much more precious than things.
4. Loving God’s Word and seeking to please Him is life’s greatest blessing.
5. Encouraging their young student pastor was an investment in the future churches I would pastor.

It was there I learned to pray about the messages, seek the Lord’s leading, and learn to write sermons every week.
It was there I had the supreme joy of preaching every Sunday night.
It was there that I had my first funeral.
It was there my bride would join me, and the church family loved her dearly.

All this makes me think of what Paul wrote to the believers at Philippi. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5).

Take a few moments to think back to those folks who invested in your life. Thank the Lord for them and perhaps today, you might also thank them.