by George | Jul 22, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Wearing the Right Footwear
“Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be.”
Deuteronomy 33:25
If you were about to go mountain climbing, would you put on the sandals that you wear to the beach? House slippers?
No, hopefully you would wear boots made for that purpose. Something like these boots I found on Amazon: “All terrain rubber outsole, great grip, non-slip and wear resistant.”
Today’s verse comes from Moses’ blessing on the tribe of Asher, one of the12 tribes of Israel. MacLaren’s Exposition says of Asher:
“the tribe being located upon rocky sea-coast, having rough roads to travel, and so needing to be well shod.”
God equips us for the journey, providing the right kind of “footwear” for when the road is rough.
Habakkuk 3:19 says:
“The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills...”
He equips us for the journey, and promises to give us the right amount of strength to make it through the day, no matter what we face.
“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
by George | Jul 15, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
James 1:19
Did you ever wonder where the expression “flying off the handle” came from?
It is first found in Thomas C. Haliburton’s The Attaché; or, Sam Slick in England, 1843
“He flies right off the handle for nothing.”
Writing.org explains:
“… the allusion is to that of an ax flying off its handle. Imagine if you were cutting a tree with an ax, and the metal part of the ax suddenly flew off the handle. It would happen very quickly and be very dangerous.”
What if I get my ax ready to chop down a tree, and I spend hours meticulously sharpening the ax, and I forget to make sure it’s firmly attached? Yes, you guessed it. It’s “an accident waiting to happen.”
I raise the ax in the air, and summoning my strength I take a swing, but all that hits the tree is the wooden handle. The sharp metal part is zooming towards a window. I turn to react, but it’s too late.
And so it is with our reactions… If I only work on knowledge in my life, and I’m not grounded, at peace with God and my lot in life, I won’t be ready to react right. It’s a matter of preparation. Deciding in advance a plan of action.
I resolve to listen first. Take a deep breath, think and pray. Then… I will speak.
Hopefully the ax will stay in one piece!
by George | Jul 8, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Keep Your Eyes on the Goal
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:18
I met a man named David today. He has a tumor on his esophagus and is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for it. He can’t swallow. A feeding tube is the only way for him to get nutrition.
But, he said he’s near the end of his treatments. David has a simple goal once this is over. To eat a tomato sandwich.
He has his mind fixed on the goal. Throughout this ordeal, I’m sure he’s had times when he felt like quitting. But he hasn’t.
David continues to imagine how delicious that tomato sandwich will taste.
Paul didn’t keep his eyes on his present sufferings which included beatings, imprisonment etc. He kept his eyes on Jesus, who patiently endured His suffering.
“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was 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
“For the joy that was set before Him…”
Jesus stayed focused on the goal of being reunited with the Father, and the inexpressible joy that awaited Him.
Paul also kept this in mind.
“But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.””
I Corinthians 2:9
One day these sufferings will be over. Though we can’t fully comprehend how wonderful it will be, it helps to keep your mind focused On Jesus and on eternity with God.
Don’t give up.
Keep your eyes on the goal!
