by George | Aug 17, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Lowering the Goal
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 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 3:12-14
I started using a step tracker app to keep up with how far I walk.
It also keeps up with how long I walk and the calories. It has some built in daily “goals.”
After a couple of days, the app noticed I hadn’t reached the calorie burning goal. (I guess I wasn’t working hard enough!)
The app asked me if I wanted to “adjust” the goal. Make it more attainable. Lower it.
At first it was tempting. “Maybe I can settle for an easier goal and SOMEDAY reach the higher goal.”
There was also this thought that I was failing. (That’s not a good feeling!)
Ultimately, I decided to keep the goal. I can’t say that I have attained it yet, but I’m going to keep pressing on. A little at a time.
What if Paul had just “settled” for an ordinary life? Just getting by. Lowered his goal.
Where would be our inspiration to keep running the race? Let’s keep our goal just like Paul.
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11
Sure, we are going to stumble sometimes, but if you keep your eyes on Jesus, and commit your life fully to Him, you will reach the goal.
by George | Aug 13, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
“Morning, Noon and Night “
“Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.”
Psalm 55:17
I talked to a man recently who is going through cancer treatments. This is not the first time he has gone through it. The subject of prayer came up, and he told me that he prays so much that God gets tired of hearing from him.
Do you feel that way sometimes? We keep bringing up the same requests to God day after day. It seems that nothing is happening, that God hasn’t answered our prayer yet.
Jesus said: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7
I’ve been told that it literally means keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. Not asking once, or a few times.
In the parable of the unjust judge, in Luke 18, Jesus talks about a judge who “neither feared God or man.” A widow kept coming day after day, seeking justice. He kept putting her off. Finally, the judge granted her request because she was wearing him out. Jesus said: “And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?”
Luke 18:7
Rest assured that God is going to answer in His own time and way. In the delay, we can say with the Psalmist in Psalm 55:17, “He hears my voice.”
When God answers prayer, it’s better than anything we can think of.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”
Ephesians 3:20
Don’t give up. Keep praying!
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.
