by George | Jan 25, 2021 | Community News
Higher
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
My thoughts this morning turned to a patient we had last year. He was about 42 years old, and he was dying of cancer.
I remember telling him that I didn’t understand why God had allowed him to suffer. Somehow it didn’t make sense that that he had a life limiting illness at such a young age.
I will never forget his response. He quoted this verse.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
The verse reminded me that my knowledge and understanding are so small. God’s knowledge and understanding is way beyond my comprehension.
I remember feeling the peace of God so strongly when I was with him.
It was truly a “sacred space.”
He didn’t waste his time trying to figure it out. Instead, he trusted God.
He was looking forward to being with the Lord. Like Abraham, he was looking for a city.
“for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
Hebrews 11:10
Perhaps he felt the way Paul did:
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.”
Philippians 1:21-24
Certainly he didn’t want to leave his mom, sister and the rest of his family and friends, but the reality of heaven had an appeal for him.
No more suffering or pain. He would see Jesus face to face!
He died peacefully a few weeks later. It helps me to know the hope of this verse:
“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
II Corinthians 5:8
I’m going to stop trying to figure things out; why stuff happens. Instead, I want to draw closer to the Lord, and trust Him completely, no matter what happens. Peace be unto you as you rest in Him.
by George | Jan 23, 2021 | Community News
But God
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”
Ephesians 2:4-5
Every morning, I put on my headphones and listen to the daily Bible reading when I go walking. When the speaker got to this verse, he seemed to pause, and the inflection of his voice changed, seemingly to emphasize the importance of these two words “… But God…”
Verse 1 tells us: “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,”
Then, verses 2 and 3 describe the depraved, sinful state of man. It’s so bad that Paul said we were the “children of wrath.”
Things seemed pretty hopeless! Then, a Hero appears.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…”
God is rich in mercy… Because of His great love for us.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Because of His great love for us… He loves you more than you will ever comprehend!
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:17-19
Our sinful state seemed hopeless, until God stepped in.
“But God…”
The events of this year leave us with a hopeless feeling….
“But God…”
Keep praying specifically for your needs, knowing that the God of our salvation will step in for you and answer your prayers.
“But God…”
by George | Jan 20, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Get Away
“So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.”
Psalms 55:6
The postman puts the mail in the box. He sees a basketball in the yard. “I bet I could make that three point shot like I used to.” he thinks to him self.
So, he picks up the basketball and makes his best shot. Unfortunately it hits, and breaks a garage door window. The owners of the house frown at the embarrassed postal carrier.
The announcer says, “Wanna get away?”
We laugh at commercials like that, but there’s some truth in them.
Sometimes troubles in life make us want to get in an airplane or just drive somewhere. Anywhere. Just to get away…
David felt this way. He has trouble with his enemies. If that wasn’t bad enough a “friend” betrayed him.
It kind of seems weird that David, the mighty warrior who faced Goliath when he was a youth, would think of fleeing.
Dr. Ryan Cook said: “David’s heart expressed not the courage of the man who had faced down giants but the timidity of a bird.”
It’s a normal human reaction to want to split, but you don’t see David getting on the next plane to Hawaii.
David gives us a remedy.
- Prayer.
“As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me.”
- God will hear our prayer. “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.” Psalms 55:17
- God will carry our burdens, and help us.
. “Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Psalms 55:22
So, when things get tough and we “wanna get away”, but can’t, remember: “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
Psalms 46:1
