by George | Aug 6, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
“Not Finishing Well”
“For it was so, when was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David.”
I Kings 11:4
Every year, I dread reading this passage.
God gave Solomon more wisdom than any man in history. And, made him very very wealthy. But, Solomon didn’t finish well. Why?
The simple, Biblical reason was that his many wives and concubines turned him away from the Lord, and he worshipped many gods.
What else contributed to his failure?
I think Solomon had a restless heart.
“All the labor of man is for his mouth, And yet the soul is not satisfied.”
Ecclesiastes 6:7
He wanted more. He tried many things to make himself happy.
He worked hard, played hard and acquired great riches. Solomon recalls all this in the book of Ecclesiastes and said that it was all “vanity.”
In all this he lost sight of the main thing. If only he had remembered what he wrote…
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let’s not lose sight of the simplicity of faith and trust in God, and let us never be distracted by things that take our mind off of God.
“…If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them.”
Psalms 62:10
Be blessed, and finish well
by George | Aug 3, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
I Don’t Know What to Do
“O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
II Chronicles 20:12
Have you ever shrugged your shoulders, lifted up your hands and said, “I don’t know what to do!”
Jehoshaphat was at that point. He was in trouble, and afraid. At least 3 nations were invading. Things looked grim.
Jehoshaphat was a good, godly king. II Chronicles 17:3 says, “Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals.” He restored worship, strengthened Judah, and made several reforms. Jehoshaphat went out among the people and “brought them back to the Lord.” II Chronicles 19:4
Trouble comes upon the good and the bad. God allows trouble to come in our lives, and in the midst of that, He wants us to turn to Him and acknowledge our dependence on Him.
2 Chronicles 20:5-12 records Jehosophat’s prayer. Study it when you can. It has several elements of effective prayer.
At the end of his prayer, Jehoshaphat cries out to God, and says “we don’t know what to do!” Acknowledging his helplessness. Then he says, “but our eyes are on You.”
If you are in a troubling, seemingly impossible situation, pray. Be honest with God. “I’m weak.I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You. Please make your will clear to me, and show me what to do.”
God will answer in His time and way, just like He answered Jehoshaphat. God brought a miraculous victory over his enemies.
by George | Jul 29, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Longing For Home
“for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
Hebrews 11:10
Sunday afternoon, I drove down a country road. I enjoy looking at the scenery, old barns and the like. (It’s a great way to relax, renew and reconnect with God!)
Soon, it became cloudy and dark. Heavy rains followed immediately. The visibility wasn’t the greatest as I made my way towards home.
I looked at the Garmin on my dashboard and it said “US Hwy 27 ahead.” This was a comfort, because I knew that the highway would be easier to drive on in the rain than a side road.
And, it meant I was closer to home.
The writter of Hebrews said Abraham was looking for a city. Not an earthly one, but a heavenly one.
Abraham, though he was nearly 100, knew that God would fulfill His promise to give his descendants the land where he was dwelling.
Though for now, he lived in a tent.
Greater still, he looked forward to “the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
As you journey, today, keep your eyes on the road. It might rain and the visibility becomes poor. Follow your “Spiritual GPS” and don’t lose sight of the heavenly city. Our eternal home.
