by George | Aug 31, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Busy, Busy, Busy!
“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,”
Isaiah 30:15
Where is it written that we have to work all the time? That we need to stay busy? Perhaps we read it in a “How to Be Successful” business book, or heard a motivational speaker talk about it.
When we are constantly busy, we tend to get anxious and worried. This in turn takes our focus off of God, and on our problems.
We need a spiritual “reset.”
So, as my dad used to say, “What’s your hurry?”
Let’s sit down for a moment and consider what God is saying.
- Returning:
In this passage,
God is pleading with His people to come back to Him. But they are not willing. Seems to be the same today. It’s my prayer every day that America will return to God. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:8
- Rest: If you return to God, you will find rest for your soul. Remember what Jesus said? “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29
- Quietness: In that rest there will be quietness. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 I’ve been told that this verse is literally saying, “cease striving .” Be still, and listen for that still small voice.
- Trust: In returning to God, you have found rest and quietness for your soul. Naturally, your faith, your trust in God is strengthened. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Life is not easy, but if we focus on God, He will guide you. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
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
