by George | Aug 10, 2020 | Community News
That Should Fix It
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
My wife saw a humorous comic strip today. The man was sitting in front of his computer, posting something to social media. He sits back, smiles and says, “I’ve just shared my opinion. That should fix everything!”
We laugh at the absurdity of his notion, but how many times do we think that someone’s notion or opinion can fix things?
Instead, we should seek God.
Have you ever studied this verse? Taking it piece by piece? Let’s take a moment and do just that.
If: We have a choice, we can do this, or choose not to.
My people who are called by my name: God’s devoted followers.
Humble themselves: Realizing our weakness and God’s sovereignty.
And pray : Not wish, not hope, or think about… But really fervently praying. (James 5:16)
And seek my face: Just like a small child grabbing hold of a parent’s face, to get their full attention. Seeking Him. His will. Not just the things we want.
And turn from their wicked ways: Truly repenting of our sins.
THEN I will hear from heaven: God almighty will hear us!
And will forgive their sin: This is an urgent need for all of us. Because we’ve all sinned. (Romans 3:23)
And heal their land: Oh how we need this!
Let us pray:
Almighty God, we humbly bow before You. We confess our sins. We seek healing for those affected by the Corona virus, an end to the Corona virus, healing of relationships, and most of all, Spiritual healing and peace in our land. That all would truly know You, our Savior. May Your will be done. In Jesus name. Amen.
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.
