by George | Apr 6, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Endurance
“We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.”
James 5:11
The news reported yesterday that a lost ship had been found. It had been missing 106 years!
NPR explains:
“An expedition that set out in search of the lost ship of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton has found it — 106 years after the vessel sank off Antarctica.”
The amount of time it has been missing amazes us, but even more amazing is the fact that it pretty much is intact!
“Mensun Bound, a maritime archaeologist and the director of exploration on the expedition, called Endurance22 said:
“This is by far the finest wooden shipwreck I have ever seen. It is upright, well proud of the seabed, intact and in a brilliant state of preservation. You can even see ‘Endurance’ arced across the stern,” Bound said.”
The ship Endurance ENDURED the deep waters and the sands of time…
As Christians, we need endurance. The writer of Hebrews explains:
“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.”
Hebrews 10:36
I’ve heard it said that life is a marathon and not a sprint. We run in the strength and encouragement of the Lord.
Sometimes when things get tough, we want to give up.
Endurance helps keep us moving forward.
Job and our Lord Jesus are great examples:
“We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” James 5:11
Job endured suffering, didn’t lose faith, and came out victorious.
Jesus kept His eye on the goal as He endured the cross:
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
As we run this race, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, the ultimate example of endurance!
by George | Apr 2, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Changes
“Of old, You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You endure, And all of them will wear out like a garment; Like clothing, You will change them and they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.”
Psalms 102:25-27
Yesterday afternoon I visited a patient in an assisted living facility. A good friend of mine was the nursing supervisor there for many years. She doesn’t work there anymore. When I finished the visit, I went upstairs to the nursing supervisor’s office to document my visit.
The door was open, and the new supervisor was cleaning the office. Several bags were on a cart, presumably to take somewhere or be disposed of.
I spoke with the new supervisor. She’s really nice, but she’s not my friend.
In time I will get used to this, but it will take time.
My point in all this is to say what we all know: Life is filled with changes, and we have to adjust.
However, I’m very thankful that God never changes! We can depend on Him. We can be confident in prayer, knowing that every good gift comes from Him.
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
James 1:17
We can be confident in His presence in our lives, even in the midst of trouble.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
Psalms 46:1
Because of these promises, I can go forward, as life
changes all around me.
by George | Mar 29, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Number 44
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4
Have you seen the commercial with former NFL running back Ickey Woods? He is waiting in line at the meat counter.
The man behind the counter calls out “Number 44.” Ickey looks at his ticket and exclaims “Woah! That’s me!!!” He begins to dance while saying “Get some cold cuts, get some cold cuts… gonna get some cold cuts today!”
I don’t remember being that joyful when I picked up lunch meat at the grocery store. More than likely, I looked at the price on the label and thought about how expensive it was!
But we can choose an attitude of joyfulness in our everyday life.
Just like the choice we have at the restaurant, we have the option of small, medium or large.
A small thing might be that cup of coffee you are holding. Pick it up and breathe in the scent of the coffee beans, and if it’s really hot, feel the steam on your face.
Maybe you see something in nature that brings you joy. I’m thinking about a tree at the post office that has started to bloom, even though it’s February.
Medium joy choices come from our interactions with others. A smile from your sweetheart, the laughter of a child, or the story you heard from an elder, even if it’s the ninth time you heard it!
Large joy choices involve our Maker. Finding joy in the Lord.
I believe that we should praise and rejoice in the Lord FIRST in our prayers, before we start in with our list of needs.
Don’t rush… Praying the Psalms is a good way to rejoice in the Lord.
Maybe we can learn something from Ickey. Let’s find joy in the small as well as great things in life.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4
