by George | Aug 27, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Finding the Right Words
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
I struggle to find the right words sometimes. What do you say to the father who is watching his 50 year old daughter die of cancer? When he speaks of a hole in his heart that won’t go away?
The day I’m writing this marks my 16th anniversary of becoming a chaplain. You would think I would know what to say each time. I don’t.
It’s not a matter of how much education one has.
As I thought and prayed about it this morning, I felt that God was telling me to rely on His words more, not my own.
One thing I’ve figured out in all these years of ministry is that I don’t always have the words to comfort. The main thing is being there. A “non anxious prescience” they call it. A shoulder to cry on. Before this COVID stuff started, I gave a lot of hugs. (I still sneak some in! I can’t help it.)
So, realizing that I don’t have the right words all the time, I will strive to pray more, and ask God to speak through me.
Paul says God comforts us so we can comfort others. He’s the “God of all comfort.”
by George | Aug 24, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Half Hearted
“And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.”
2 Chronicles 25:2
Every king who took the throne in Israel or Judah had the potential for greatness. Every one of them.
Amaziah, king of Judah was no exception. His dad’s name was Joash, who had taken the throne when he was 8 years old. (No, that’s not a misprint.)
Joash had a wise, older priest to help guide him. So, he started out following the Lord, but after the priest died, he drifted from the Lord. And, things didn’t end well for Joash.
Similar story here. Amaziah started out well, but later on turned from God to idolatry.
Unbelievable. Why did he choose to do this? We don’t know, but our clue is found in today’s verse. “…yet not with his whole heart.”
There are many times when I approach life, and my faith half heartedly. Just going through the motions. When this starts to happen, I need to remember these verses.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”
Colossians 3:23
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
I Corinthians 10:31
I think the key is recognizing when our approach to our faith or life is half-hearted, reject the distractions, and put our focus on God. If we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. James 4:8
by George | Aug 20, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
“Where is the God of Elijah?”
“Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the LORD God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.”
II Kings 2:14
Elijah had just been gloriously taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. Elisha was left to continue the work. Before Elijah left, Elisha asked him for a double portion of his spirit.
Do you think Elisha wondered if God had answered his request? This was a critical moment for him. “Where is the God of Elijah?” Much like the plea of our hearts sometimes… “Where are you God?”
When you consider all that is going on in the world, do you wonder sometimes where God is?
Why has He allowed all this to happen? We don’t understand…
But remember…
God has not changed.
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Psalm 90:2
All that Elisha had was the mantle, the garment that Elijah left behind. It was a great reminder to him of Elijah, and the time they spent together.
In a spiritual sense, God covers us with His mantle.
1) He clothes us with salvation and His righteousness.
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness…”
Isaiah 61:10
2) God forgives, covers our sin. “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1
3) God protects us. “He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4. Elisha picked up the mantle. There was silence…
He took a step of faith, as he asked where God was. He took that mantle, and struck the water. The waters parted. A beautiful reminder that God was still there.
Sometimes we have to move forward in faith, praying as we go.
Where is God? He’s right here, covering us in His love, His mantle.
