by George | Jul 5, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Vacay and Celly
“Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ”
Luke 4:8
Braves’ outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr hit a home run and as he rounded the bases, he emulated Atlanta Hawks’ star Trae Young’s “Ice Trae” celebration.
MLB.com describes it as follows:
“After hitting his first leadoff homer of the year, Acuña came out of the box, took a few steps down the first-base line and then folded his arms and made a shivering motion akin to the one Young has shown after making a big shot down the stretch.”
The article also showed a Twitter post that included “@TheTraeYoung celly.”
Celly… It’s short for celebration.
The word celebration is only 6 letters longer, but I guess it sounds cooler to say “Celly.”
What about “vacay”? Is vacation too long a word for us now?
Vacay is even listed in the Cambridge dictionary!
OK, using shortened versions of words like “admin” instead of administration, and “fridge” instead of refrigerator is nothing new. We’ve been doing that for a while. So, I guess I shouldn’t complain.
Using an abbreviation is taking a “shortcut” with words. It’s ok.
Taking shortcuts in life is not ok.
Jesus was tempted by the devil to take a shortcut.
“And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.”
Luke 4:5-7
It’s like he was saying, make a deal with me, and I’ll make your life easier.
But, Jesus was ready for him.
Jesus had just been baptized and “Full of the Spirit.” (Luke 4:1)
He faced Satan with God’s Word.
“Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ”
Luke 4:8
The easy way out is the wrong way out.
Stay filled with the Spirit, continue in prayer, and take up the whole armor of God.
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
Remember: “There are no shortcuts to success.” Annika Sorenstam
by George | Jun 30, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Don’t Let Him In
“Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
II Corinthians 2:10-11
I met a man who specializes in what he calls “exotic animal control.” He removes snakes, gophers, and the like from people’s houses.
This year, he said, snakes are more prevalent. New construction in our area seems to get them stirred up, as we are “invading their territory.”
He also teaches homeowners how to prevent snakes from getting into the house. One way is to put steel wool in the hole under the sink, where the pipes come in. On the outside of the building, steel wool can be put in the hole where electrical wires go into the house.
In the same way, we can prevent another snake, Satan from entering our lives.
James tells us how:
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:7-8
Submitting to God, resisting the devil and drawing near to God are our “steel wool.”
The man I spoke to is not ignorant of the creatures’ devices, the way they try to get into our homes. In the same way, Paul said we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices.
Be on guard, and use the “steel wool” prescribed by James.
by George | Jun 24, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Roll the credits
“Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth; God had indeed blessed him.”
1 Chronicles 26:4-5
At the end of the movie, the credits start to roll. Most people in the movie theater start to get up and head for the exits. If you are watching it on television, you probably hit the stop button or change the channel. We don’t pay much attention to the list of names once it goes past the actors’ names… No one cares who the “key grip” person was.
When you read 1 Chronicles, you sometimes get the feeling you are watching the credits, and your mind starts to wander. But, sometimes in the seemingly endless list of names, we find some gems.
Obed-edom is one of them. At the end of the list of his eight sons, it says: “…God had indeed blessed him.”
1 Chronicles 26:5
Why did God bless him? The answer is found back in 1 Chronicles 13:
“So David did not take the ark with him to the city of David but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. Thus the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months, and the Lord blessed the family of Obed-edom with all that he had.”
1 Chronicles 13:13-14
David had tried to move the ark of the covenant back to Israel but didn’t do it the right way, and Uzzah was struck down when he touched it. (1 Chronicles 13:7-11)
So, David was afraid to move the ark any further. He chose Obed-edom to take care of it.
I imagine Obed-edom was surprised when the king arrived with the ark.
Being a faithful servant, he said yes.
If you ever have been given a new piece of furniture, you have to move the old furniture out of the way.
Obed-edom had to make room for the ark. He respected it, and took care of it. As a result, God blessed him with sons and grandsons who were valiant and strong.
“All these were of the sons of Obed-edom; they and their sons and their relatives were able men with strength for the service, 62 from Obed-edom.”
1 Chronicles 26:8
Wow, it all started with a faithful act of service.
Let’s be like Obed-edom and make room for God in our lives.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33
