by George | Aug 31, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Failed Starter
“And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand.”
Acts 7:24-25
Oakland A’s relief pitcher Andrew Chafin calls himself a “failed starter.”
He’s referring to his lack of success starting ballgames earlier in his career. Because of this, he was moved to the bullpen, and Chafin has found success since then. Last night, he successfully finished the ballgame, earning a save.
Moses could be considered a “failed starter.” When he came of age in Egypt, he saw the cruelty and injustice against his people. Moses was determined to do something about it. (He does this seemingly without God’s direction.)
“Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.”
Exodus 2:11-12
The next day, two of his brethren were fighting. Moses tried to break them up. One of them said:
“But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known.”
Exodus 2:14
It was known. Pharaoh came looking for Moses. So, Moses flees for his life.
Instead of the bullpen, Moses goes to the sheep pen. He becomes a shepherd.
But God isn’t finished with Moses. From the burning bush, God calls Moses to go back to Egypt and lead the children of Israel to the Promised Land. Moses is very hesitant, but God was firm with him.
“Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.”
Exodus 3:10
Also, God promises to be with him.
“And He said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”
Exodus 3:12
God clearly wasn’t finished with Moses, and He’s not through with you.
So, if you are a “failed starter,” remember that you are still on the team, and God has plans for you, a hope and a future.
by George | Aug 24, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
My Favorite
“The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.”
Proverbs 10:7
I couldn’t believe it. My “favorite” hospice patient had passed. He had been sick well over two years, so I knew it was coming. But, I wasn’t ready.
Now I know that we are supposed to treat all folks equally, loving them and giving them excellent care.
But, you know as well as I do that some have a special place in your heart.
For most of the last two years, I would wake up on a Tuesday morning with the thought that I was going to get to see my “favorite.”
My “favorite” and his wife were the type that made you feel welcome. Down to earth folks.
We would meet at “the shop”, a place where he used to work on tractors, lawn mowers and cars.
He used to go down there every morning in his power chair. (His wife often wondered what the hurry was for him to go down there!) He would get the coffee brewing and a fire going in the wood stove if it was chilly. The TV would be tuned to a Western or classic TV show, with the volume turned down. Then, he would turn on the radio for some old time country music.
He then reclined in his lift chair.
It was in this setting that we had many enjoyable visits, the time going by fast, and the feeling that you just wanted to stay longer.
I had the privilege of sharing this at his funeral yesterday. It helped me to relate the story I just told you. In fact, telling you this story now gives me a sense of peace. Perhaps closure.
If you are missing someone, tell the story of what they mean to you. It doesn’t matter if it’s on paper, out loud, in a poem or a painting.
Keep their memory alive!
May the LORD grant you His peace.
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”
2 Thessalonians 3:16
by George | Aug 19, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Hezekiah’s prayer
“Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God.”
Isaiah 37:20
Hezekiah was in trouble.
The king of Assyria was on his way, with a mighty army.
Instead of calling a cabinet meeting, or a meeting with the secretary of defense, Hezekiah immediately sought God in prayer.
“Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. Hezekiah prayed to the Lord saying, “O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and listen to all the words of Sennacherib, who sent them to reproach the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have devastated all the countries and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God.”
Isaiah 37:14-20
Notice what Hezekiah did:
- He laid the letter/ problem before God.
- He praises God first, worshipping the Almighty God.
- He was honest and realistic with God about this dangerous attacking army.
- He makes a very specific request.
God sent the prophet Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that his prayer has been heard, and was being answered.
Then…
“Then the angel of the Lord went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men arose early in the morning, behold, all of these were dead.”
Isaiah 37:36
God answers prayer, in His time and in His way.
Let’s seek Him fervently, just like Hezekiah.
