by George | Sep 24, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
One Voice
“Ebed-Melech went out of the king’s house and spoke to the king, saying: “My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon, and he is likely to die from hunger in the place where he is. For there is no more bread in the city.”
Jeremiah 38:8-9
He was a foreigner… He was from a different culture. Ebed-Melech was a servant of the king. He was not from the “upper class.”
One day, he heard a commotion. The princes were throwing the prophet Jeremiah into a dungeon, and he was sinking into the mire. No water. No food. It was clear that they wanted Jeremiah to die.
Ebed-Melech saw all this. He had a choice. Remain silent, or do something.
You couldn’t blame him if he didn’t do anything. He could have said, “What do I care? This doesn’t affect me.”
Ebed-Melech had heard the words of Jeremiah, that God was judging the country for their wicked ways. Babylon was going to burn the city of Jerusalem, kill many people and take many people captive.
Perhaps Ebed-Melech feared God and believed the words of Jeremiah.
Either way, he saw the injustice and did something about it.
It took great courage to go to the king. But he did it.
The king told Ebed-Melech to gather 30 men, and pull Jeremiah out of the dungeon.
He collected old rags and made a rope.
“Then Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Please put these old clothes and rags under your armpits, under the ropes.” And Jeremiah did so.”
Jeremiah 38:12
This was hard work. Dirty work, but Ebed-Melech finished the job and rescued Jeremiah from certain death.
God remembered what he did and gave this word to Jeremiah.
“But I will deliver you in that day,” says the LORD, “and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the LORD.’ ”
Jeremiah 39:17-18
Let’s trust the Lord like Ebed-Melech and make a difference in someone’s life. All it takes is one person.
You can be the one.
by George | Sep 21, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
The Missing Ingredient
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15
The website “Add a Pinch” gives a recipe for “The Best Chocolate Cake Ever.” Ingredients for this delicious cake include:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1 cup milk buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
What would happen if I left the chocolate out? Or the sugar? Forget to put the icing on top?
It wouldn’t taste right. If I let someone taste the incomplete cake, they would make a face much like someone who had just sucked on a lemon. You have to put in all the ingredients!
This morning, I read this verse before praying with my co workers.
I prayed that God would give us His peace. Quoting Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”
I acknowledged that we are one body, and mentioned that part of the body is hurting right now. (Nursing homes and assisted living facilities struggling with a dramatic increase in cases of Covid 19.)
I prayed for healing, and for an end to this pandemic.
But, I forgot to thank Him.
God reminds us:
“IN EVERYTHING give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
I Thessalonians 5:18
So, no matter what is happening, or how I feel, I resolve to thank God. We have so much to be thankful for!
by George | Sep 17, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Don’t Run!
“Now there was also a man who prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath Jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah.”
Jeremiah 26:20
Have you ever heard of the prophet Urijah? No?
How about Jeremiah the prophet? “That rings a bell!”
Jeremiah, “the weeping prophet” prophesied for about 40 years. He was sent to warn Israel that they were about to be taken captive to Babylon because of their sins.
When you read the book bearing his name, your heart goes out to Jeremiah because he endured so much mistreatment.
In chapter 26, it says that the priests and prophets complained about Jeremiah to the princes about the words of his prophecy. They were seeking the death penalty.
So, they came and confronted him. Jeremiah didn’t run. He calmly explained to all assembled that God had given him the words to speak. They decided not to put him to death.
Then, we are introduced to the prophet Urijah. All we know about him is the name of his dad, and where he was from.
He prophesied in the name of the Lord similar words to that of Jeremiah.
This stirred the folks up including the king, and he came after him.
Instead of facing his accusers, he fled to Egypt.
The king sent to Egypt, brought him back and killed him. They threw his body into the common people’s cemetery.
My point is not that if you run from trouble, you will die. Jeremiah wasn’t killed then, but it’s believed he was stoned to death later on. Opposition happens.
I just want to show you an alternative. When troubles come your way, you can stand firm in God.
Paul says: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13
(I’ve heard it said that the armor Paul describes only protects the front, not the back!)
Remember what God told Joshua? “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Stand. Don’t run. Keep strong in the faith. Repeat.
