by George | Oct 9, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
At Least You Are Breathing!
“In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”
Job 12:10
I hate needles. When lab work day comes, I get anxious when I think about getting stuck.
I had to get blood work done recently, and as the nurse inserted the needle, she noticed something. “At least you are breathing.” She said. “A lot of people hold their breath!” (I find that by relaxing and taking deep breaths, it lessens my needle anxiety!)
At least you are breathing… Sometimes we take life for granted. We should be thankful for life, for every breath we breathe.
We have to wear masks pretty much wherever we go. So, when we get home, and can finally take the mask off, we are elated. I find myself taking a deep breath.
The uncomfortableness of wearing a mask can make us empathetic for those who consistently struggle to breathe.
I’ve ministered to several COPD patients over the years. I’ve asked if being short of breath causes them to pray more. Almost all say yes. They ask God to help them breathe. They also express a thankfulness for being able to breathe.
So, go outside if you can. Sit for a moment. Breathe deeply. Hold it. Exhale. Repeat.
Doesn’t that feel great?
Life may be difficult, but don’t forget to breathe. Remember to be thankful for every breath, and every moment that God gives you.
by George | Sep 30, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Reboot
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2
It’s kind of a tired old joke, but this has been the first remedy suggested by the average IT person… “Have you tried unplugging and plugging it back in?”
They are suggesting you do a “reboot” of the computer, phone or tablet.
What is a reboot? Vocabulary.com says: “To reboot is to reload the operating system of a computer: to start it up again. Booting is starting a computer’s operating system, so rebooting is to start it for a second or third time. Rebooting is usually necessary after a computer crashes, meaning it stops working because of a malfunction.”
Quota.com says:
“When you reboot your computer, all the processes which are currently residing in your RAM are wiped off, the RAM is cleaned up and then the computer takes a fresh start. Fresh start means loading up the bootloader program again and every further process is started again freshly.”
In the same way, our minds need a reboot. A fresh start.
We need to get rid of whatever is clogging our minds, causing it to not run properly.
Worry, doubt, fear, anxiety, anger… Just to name a few.
We have to present ourselves as a “living sacrifice” to God. Paul tells us not to conform to the world, but be “transformed by the renewing of our mind.”
Refreshed and renewed.
My pastor friend Jason Stockton suggests that when you have your quiet time with God, start out by doing a “mind dump.” Write down anything on your mind, like a to do list, or things that are bothering you. Then, set it aside, read the Word, pray and listen to God. Ask Him to cleanse your heart and renew (reboot) your mind. Give it a fresh start!
May God give you peace, and clarity as He renews and refreshes your mind.
by George | Sep 27, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Praise the Lord Anyhow!
“Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
Habakkuk 3:17-18
“I don’t feel like it!”
How many times have you heard these words from your children, grandchildren, or… yourself.
If I went by my feelings, some days I wouldn’t get out of bed, go to work, or even pray.
We are all human. Life gets us down sometimes.
Habakkuk prophesied around the time that Israel was being conquered by her enemies, and being taken captive. The outlook was bleak. It was a terrible time.
Fast forward to today. If you watch the news, you see all the bad stuff that’s going on around us. It can be depressing.
So, since all this is happening, should I stop praying and praising God?
Habakkuk would tell you no! He would encourage you to keep praying.
What we need is a faith centered on God, not our feelings.
The website “Trusting Jesus” says:
“When you don’t have a job, praise God anyhow. He knows your needs, and he is just on time, never late.
When it seems the earth is breaking up beneath your feet, and you don’t have anywhere to stand, stand on the rock of Jesus, He said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
When something seems impossible, and you can’t humanly find an answer, remember, nothing is too hard for God, He specializes in things that seem to be impossible.
When all fails, continue to praise the Lord…”
Let’s determine to have the attitude of Habakkuk. Though things are happening that I don’t like and prayers are not yet answered…
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
Praise the Lord anyhow!
