by George | Nov 17, 2021 | Devotional, Newsletter
Make Lemonade
“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”
Philippians 1:12-14
Tammy Fay Baker used to sing: “When Life Hands You a Lemon, Start Making Lemonade….”
It would seem that the apostle Paul was handed not just one lemon, but a bushel basket of the sour fruit! Here’s his summary of his sufferings:
“Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”
2 Corinthians 11:23-27
What a list! By comparison, my life and labors for the Lord have been a lot easier.
Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Paul reflected on how God was working through his sufferings.
“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”
Philippians 1:12-14
Jesus told us we would have trials…
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
What are you facing today? Do you feel overwhelmed?
Just remember that God loves you and that He is working in you and through you in the midst of your trials.
Romans 8:28 is still true today!
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Keep moving forward, trusting in God!
by George | Nov 13, 2021 | Devotional, Newsletter
Green Pastures
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”
Psalms 23:1-2
We have the best looking lawn in the neighborhood.
But, I can’t take any credit for it. A new neighbor moved in the other side of our duplex last year. He and his wife had just sold their “farm”. He was used to taking care of several acres of land, keeping the grass cut and watered.
Now, he focuses on the small lawns in front of their apartment and ours.
His meticulous work has yielded an amazing, lush, green lawn.
Psalm 23:1-2 speaks of green pastures.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”
Michael McKelvey says:
“In the Hebrew, the text literally reads, “In pastures of grass, he makes me to lie down; upon waters of rest, he guides me.” In the semi-arid landscape of ancient Palestine, grazing land was not abundant. Shepherds would have to guide their flocks to the places with enough grass for their sheep. The shepherd needed to know where to go, the best route to take, and the pace at which to drive the flock. There would likely be dry and difficult terrain to cross, as well as untold dangers from wild beasts and thieves along the way.”
Life can be like the arid desert. I’m so thankful that we have a Shepherd who leads us and nourishes us in pastures of green.
No matter what comes your way, keep following the Shepherd. He will lead you and provide for you.
Let our prayer today be the words of the hymn Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us…
“Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.”
by George | Nov 9, 2021 | Devotional, Newsletter
Be A Tree
“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.”
Psalms 1:3
In an old Peanuts comic strip from 1964, Lucy is trying to give Linus a nature lesson.
They are watching the leaves fall from a tree.
Lucy: “This happens every year. It’s one of the cycles of nature. There is a real lesson to be learned from this… Do you know what it is?”
Linus: “Don’t be a leaf… Be a tree.”
Leave it to Linus to find a deeper, kind of theological observation.
I think he has a point. In the springtime, leaves look really beautiful on the trees. They continue to hang on through the summer. Then, fall comes. Leaves fall from the trees.
But, the tree remains, even in the bitter cold of winter.
A tree is mentioned in Psalm 1.
“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.”
Psalms 1:3
Did you notice that the leaves in this verse don’t wither? They are ever green.
It’s a beautiful picture of what it’s like to draw our strength and vitality from God. Jesus said it this way:
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.”
John 15:4
It’s possible to be like a tree. Steady, secure, abiding and drawing from His life giving Waters.
