by George | Aug 6, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Why Are You Glad to See Me?
“Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.”
Ecclesiastes 5:2
Last night at a neighborhood outreach event, I stood outside the door of the community room, welcoming folks as they arrived.
A youth approached who looked to be around 12 years old.
“I’m so glad to see you!” I said as I gave him a fist bump.
“Why are you glad to see me?” He asked.
Hmmm… Why am I glad to see him? Was I just looking at him as a number, one more person attending, or was I glad to see his smiling face?
Trying to think quickly, I said something like “Because it’s a good day and we are here to have a good time!”
That got me thinking. How many times do I say things without thinking about what I’m saying?
Scripture says our words are important. Here are some examples:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:21
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Ephesians 4:29
“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; it is set on fire by hell.”
James 3:5-6
Jesus drove the point home when He said:
“Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:34-37
I must admit… The last one kind of scares me.
So, how can we know what to say? Ask the LORD to help you.
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Psalms 141:3
I’m reminded of something my mom said several times. “If you don’t have anything nice to say… Don’t say anything at all!” Words to live by…
“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”Colossians 4:6
by George | Aug 3, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
As Long As He Sought the LORD…
“Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Jechiliah of Jerusalem. He did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.”
2 Chronicles 26:3-5
I don’t know about you, but when I read about the kings listed in 2 Chronicles and 2 Kings, my head starts to swim. There are so many! Some reigned a short time, others a long time.
When I read the name, and how long they reigned, l brace myself for the next sentence. I’m relieved when it says “He did right in the side of the LORD.”
But, many times it says the opposite. For example:
“Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as David his father had done.”
1 Kings 11:6
King Uzziah got off to a good start. Part of the credit goes to Zechariah the prophet, who seemed to be a mentor to him.
“He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.”
2 Chronicles 26:5
It’s important to listen to the right voices, folks who have understanding and wisdom.
The last part of today’s verses should serve as a guidepost, and a warning to us.
“… as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.”
Prosperity doesn’t always mean riches. I believe it’s also the end result when we live life right, walking closely to God.
Uzziah accomplished a lot during his reign.
Unfortunately, later on, he let pride overtake him.
“But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God, for he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”
2 Chronicles 26:16
Then the LORD struck him with leprosy.
“King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death; and he lived in a separate house, being a leper, for he was cut off from the house of the Lord. And Jotham his son was over the king’s house judging the people of the land.”
2 Chronicles 26:21
Very sad.
Let’s strive to be like Uzziah, in his earlier years.
Let’s continue to seek the LORD.
by George | Jul 27, 2021 | Community News, Newsletter
Don’t Look Around
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”
Isaiah 41:10
Remember when Peter walked on water? Matthew 14 says that Jesus came to the disciples who were in a boat in the midst of the storm. He was walking on the water. Jesus tells them not to be afraid.
“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
“Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
Matthew 14:27-29
Everything was going fine, until he looked around…
“But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!””
Matthew 14:30
Jesus reached down to pull him up.
“Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:31
Everything was fine until he looked around…
He looked around, instead of looking at Jesus.
He lost his focus.
The same thing happens to us today as we look at our circumstances, instead of looking unto our Savior.
Today’s verse encourages us not to anxiously look around us…
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”
Isaiah 41:10
Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, continually praying, as we move forward.
