by George | Jan 1, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Goodbye 2020
“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12
I keep hearing people say that they will be glad when this year is over. The subject line of an email I received today said “Good riddance 2020!”
I would be lying if I said I hadn’t been thinking similar thoughts.
We want to hit fast forward, and be in the year 2021.
It seems ironic though, because one of the lessons we learned this year is that time is precious. We read every day about how many are sick with Covid, how full the hospitals are, and how many have died from Covid. We’ve realized that every day is a gift, and that we are here by the grace of God.
Years ago, I told a co-worker that I would be glad when Saturday came. He said “Don’t wish your life away.”
Someone talked about this subject a long time ago. It was Moses, the author of Psalm 90.
“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12
Whether you are reading this before or after the calendar has turned to 2021, I pray that God will teach all of us to number our days, to enjoy each day, and give us a heart of gratitude for each day we are given. Happy New Year!
by George | Dec 31, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Paul Finished Well
“Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”
Acts 28:30-31
Who are you no more likely to follow, the one who tells you what to do, but doesn’t do it himself, OR someone who tells you what to do, and does it himself?
I think we would all pick the latter. We like people who “walk the walk” and don’t have much regard for someone who merely “talks the talk.”
Paul “practiced what he preached.”
He instructed early believers how to run this Christian race. It’s not a sprint, it’s a long distance race.
Paul finished the race well, but it didn’t happen by accident. He ran well, and showed us how to run well. Running well has several requirements.
- It requires discipline.
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
I Corinthians 9:24-27
- It requires focus. You have to keep looking ahead, not behind.
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
- It requires a strong finish. Good long-distance runners make a final “kick” or sprint in the end of the race. At the end of his race, Paul wasn’t jogging. He was sprinting. He kept teaching and preaching with confidence until the end. “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.” Acts 28:30-31 .
If we keep those principles in mind, one day we will be likely to say what Paul said at the end of his race:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
II Timothy 4:7
Finish well!
by George | Dec 27, 2020 | Community News
Putting It Off
“Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.”
Acts 24:25-27
I have a dentist appointment coming up. I put it off as long as I could. They mentioned a possible root canal…
We all tend to put things off. There are some things we dread doing. Also , sometimes we put off making important decisions.
Paul was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. In this passage, he is making his defense before Felix.
The Roman historian Tacitus described Felix as “cruel, licentious, and base.”
Paul is making his defense and talking about “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.”
Felix was starting to squirm. The conviction in Felix’s soul was so overwhelming, he ordered Paul to stop talking and said that he would hear him again at a more “convenient” time. He put off an important decision…
Felix also had an ulterior motive in leaving Paul Imprisoned. He was hoping for a bribe from him. So, he called on Paul and heard him from time to time.
But, the Bible doesn’t record that Felix ever heeded Paul’s words and possibly never became a follower of Jesus.
Got questions.org says:
“Upon his loss of the governorship, Felix was summoned to Rome where certain of his former Jewish subjects accused him of cruelty and corruption. Felix was found guilty but was spared the death penalty.”
It is thought he died of tuberculosis some time later.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that life is uncertain and every day is precious.
So, let’s work on some of the things we are putting off, including life changing decisions! God stands ready to help and guide us if we ask.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5
