by George | Jul 28, 2022 | Community News, Devotional
Fireworks
Did you go see fireworks on July 4th? We did, but we didn’t have to drive to get there. Several folks in the neighborhood shot off fireworks in their yards. They did a good show of their pyrotechnic abilities.
The next morning, as I walked through the neighborhood, I could see charred remnants from the night before.
If I had a match with me, could I have relit them and expect to see a dazzling show like the night before? Obviously not.
Fireworks don’t last. They “do their job” and are gone.
I’m thankful that some things. that last forever.
Chuck Swindoll said:
“Do you realize there are only two eternal things on earth today? Only two: people and God’s Word. Everything else will ultimately be burned up—everything else. Kind of sets your priorities straight, doesn’t it?”
God’s word will endure forever.
“But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.”
1 Peter 1:25
His word will surely accomplish His purpose.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:10-11
People are eternal as well. Our lives may be short, but our souls live on forever.
Jesus explained it this way:
“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world… “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;”
Matthew 25:31-34, 41
God’s word is eternal, unchanging.
Our soul is eternal. How blessed would it be to spend eternity with God! It’s possible by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Chuck Swindoll sums it up:
“Only two things last forever—and I’m committed to both. How about you?”
by George | Jul 19, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Getting Ahead of Yourself
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”
Proverbs 21:5
Do you ever “get ahead of yourself?”
The Cambridge Dictionary defines getting ahead of yourself as “to do something too early, or before you are ready or prepared.”
Englishlogica.com gives us two examples:
“She’s really getting ahead of herself she has all the furniture bought for the new house but the mortgage hasn’t even been approved yet.”
” We can spend a lot of time arguing about how to market the product but I think we are getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s get the design right first.”
We live in a fast-paced, goal-driven world. It’s easy to “put the cart before the horse.”
How do we fix this?
We need to slow down, pray, and think before we rush into things.
Solomon hits the nail on the head with his advice:
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”
Proverbs 21:5
Jesus said:
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
Lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?”
Luke 14:28-30
We need to commit our plans to God:
“Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.”
Proverbs 16:3
As you slow down, pray and plan… May God give you success!
Remember that you don’t have to get ahead of yourself, because God is already there…
“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
by George | Jul 12, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
The Answer is Love
“and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;”
Ephesians 5:2, 18-19
“How To Be Filled With The Spirit.”
This is the title of a message I delivered last Sunday.
I struggled with this topic as I prepared the message, and looked up several verses and commentaries.
Oh, how I worried about presenting it correctly. I woke up Sunday morning thinking about it and even wondered whether I was Spirit-filled.
Then, as I did my morning walk, I listened to Ephesians 5. When Paul got to the part about husbands and wives, something clicked!
Us minister folk generally only use the part in chapter 5 about husbands and wives, in marriage ceremonies.
Yes, that’s part of the application of these verses, but he also says:
“For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”
Ephesians 5:31-32
When we truly love someone, we desire to be with them.
This should also apply to our walk with God.
Remember the words of Jesus:
“… You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:27
Start out your day telling God that you love Him, be cleansed of your sins, ask Him to renew your mind, and fill you afresh with His Spirit.
Draw ever so close to Him… He will draw near to you, and fill you with joy…
