by George | Jan 13, 2023 | Community News, Devotional
In the Beginning God
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
When we read Genesis 1:1, our minds seem to only pick up on 2 words, “beginning” and “created.”
We think about the when, the beginning of time, and many, many years ago. Then our minds immediately go to “what” was created, without necessarily thinking of “Who” created all things.
I was guilty of this recently when I was studying this passage for an upcoming message. I even printed out visual aids to illustrate the 7 days of creation.
But… God slowed me down, and centered my attention on Genesis 1:1, with a laser focus on Him.
What do we know about God?
Why is He worthy of our worship?
Let’s look at some of God’s attributes.
- God is eternal. He has always existed! You and I have a starting point and an expiration date. Not God! “Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Psalm 90:2
- God is all-powerful: “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17
- God is all-knowing: “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Romans 11:33-34
- God is all-seeing: “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are open and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13
- God is present everywhere: “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:24
- God hears everything: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12
- God is love: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8
Wow! In the words of an old praise song, “What a mighty God we serve.”
He is indeed worthy of our worship and praise! Let’s fix our eyes on the God who created all things.
by George | Oct 21, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
GPS
“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 your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
I will admit it. I’m directionally challenged… Many times while driving I make wrong turns. I get it honest, though. My dad was the same way. Mom called him “Wrong way Ronnie.”
I’m very thankful for my Garmin. It’s a GPS navigator. In other words, it tells me where to turn, go straight, etc. Even with a Garmin, I sometimes miss a turn.
No worries, it recalculates the route. Sometimes it has to say “make a U turn” when I’ve really screwed up.
A Christian has a built in GPS system inside them… The Holy Spirit. He guides us along the journey.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
John 14:26
He instructs us and guides us.
Solomon said: “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 your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
There is a danger in ignoring the voice of the Spirit. Solomon warns us:
“There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”
Proverbs 14:12
So, let’s listen to His voice and instructions. He will guide you along the journey of life.
I would truly be lost without my Garmin and without the Holy Spirit living inside me.
by George | Oct 14, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Poor Martha
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.””
Luke 10:41-42
Martha always gets a bad rap for being too busy. We fault her for worrying so much about the meal that she doesn’t have time to be with Jesus.
While there is some truth in that, we are forgetting the reality that sometimes we are just like Martha, letting the cares and tasks we are doing overwhelm us.
So how can we be a Martha, while having the heart of a Mary?
- Write it down. Make a list of all that you need to do today and anything that is troubling you.
- Pray. Renew your mind: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”Romans 12:1-2 This is much like restarting a computer, which helps the operating system work better.
- Worship… Do you enjoy your time with Jesus? Take time to be a Mary. Pray, listen, study, meditate on scripture. But, don’t let it become a ritual. Keep the conversation going throughout your day.
- Don’t try to do it all in one day. At night, or first thing in the morning, carry tasks over to a new list and toss the old one.
- Ask for help.
- Rest and take care of yourself.
