by George | Dec 6, 2020 | Community News
December Community Church Ministry Newsletter
Facebook reminded me that I posted this two years ago:
“My mind was preoccupied this morning thinking about the Christmas parties we are doing in the neighborhoods and about the Easter egg hunts coming up in March, when I heard this verse in my Spirit. “Abide in Me… Apart from Me you can do nothing.” It’s important to spend time at the Master’s feet… Abiding… Resting in Him. I felt a great peace come over me.”
For me, this was a timely reminder. We have crossed over into December and suddenly we are getting busier and busier.
We get so busy that we forget to start off our days with God. When this happens, I feel like I don’t have the energy and strength for the challenges ahead. I’ve become disconnected from the power source.
So, let’s take a few moments with the Master, drawing on His strength. Carry on a conversation with God throughout the day!
Our busy December schedule begins this Saturday. We will be doing social distancing gift giveaways to children in the communities.
Please pray!
Merry Christmas!
by George | Dec 3, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
A Final Request
“And the man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times.””
II Kings 13:19
Elisha is dying. His time is short. Joash the king came to visit him.
“Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, “O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!”
II Kings 13:14
Joash is expressing his sorrow over the fact that Elisha, a mighty prophet of God, is sick and is about to die.
Elisha doesn’t focus on himself. He had not retired from being a prophet. Elisha knew that Syria was an enemy of Israel. He instructs Joash:
“And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and some arrows.” So he took himself a bow and some arrows. Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. And he said, “Open the east window”; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot”; and he shot. And he said, “The arrow of the LORD’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them. ” Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three times, and stopped.”
II Kings 13:15-18
Why did Joash stop after only shooting 3 arrows? David Jeremiah suggests that Joash was not “all in” as far as his commitment is concerned.
You would think that he would have jumped at the chance to see his enemy finally defeated.
Elisha was furious. He told the king that he would only get to strike the enemy 3 times.
Elisha was dying.
This was Elisha’s final request of the king. His dying wish, if you will.
I’ve been a hospice Chaplain for many years.
In hospice, we minister to patients who are dying.
Whatever you do in life, think about this.
Do I use the “Joash” approach, or do I give my all to make their quality of life as good as I can? I may not be able to fulfill all their requests, but I can do something.
by George | Nov 30, 2020 | Community News
After the Storm…
“He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.”
Psalms 107:29-30
The effects of a tropical storm hit our area recently. A heavy downpour overnight, and strong winds gusting up to around 51 mph.
When the winds grew calmer, it became quiet and very peaceful.
In Psalm 107, the psalmist talks about those “who do business on great waters.” v.23
These could have been fishermen, or those hauling precious cargo to the next port. They saw first-hand the awesome power of God.
He said: “They see the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep. For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea.” v. 24-25
Can you imagine being in that ship, which is being tossed about because of the storm? The waves grew higher and higher.
The psalmist says: “They mount up to the heavens, They go down again to the depths; Their soul melts because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits’ end.” v. 26-27
Can you relate? The storms of life rise up, their noise nearly deafening, and it seems hopeless.Our soul melts within us. We are at our wits end. What do we do?
Let’s do what the sailors did:
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” v. 19-21
They made their request known to God, praying earnestly.
God answered their prayers, and brought healing.
Then, they thanked God!
When the storms of life are raging, remember to reach out to “the Master of the sea” for deliverance. Don’t forget to thank Him for the calmness after the storm!
