by George | Jan 7, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Whose Rope Are You Holding?
“But his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.”
Acts 9:25
Saul had just gotten saved. He trusted in Jesus, the one whom he used to persecute. Now, he is preaching about this same Jesus.
This didn’t set well with the religious leaders he used to hang out with.
So, according to Acts 9:23, the Jews plotted to kill him. It says they watched the gates day and night, in order to catch and kill him.
Thankfully, Saul hears about their plot.
What to do now? If he sticks around, they will most likely catch him.
That’s when Saul gets some help from some unnamed folks known only as “disciples.”
A plan was hatched to put Saul in a basket.
“Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.”
Acts 9:25
Can you imagine how hard it was physically for the disciples to do this? Saul was a full grown man. I wonder if they got rope burn on their hands as they lowered him down. This was also risky, because if they were caught, the Jews would arrest them too for being accomplices to Saul.
But the main thing is that no matter how hard this was, they held onto the ropes, until the basket was lowered to the ground.
These disciples had no idea that this man named Saul would one day be renamed Paul. He would go on to establish many churches, lead many people to Christ, and with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, write most of the new testament.
So the question is: whose rope are you holding?
Is there a young person or colleague who needs your help to move them along towards greatness? Helping them reach their potential?
Whoever it is, don’t let go of the rope!
by George | Jan 4, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
An Audience of One
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
I Corinthians 10:31
I don’t pretend to be an expert on social media: posting, tweeting, snap chatting and the like… But, I’m still learning.
A few days ago, I posted something on my daughter’s timeline on Facebook. I had to change the setting to where the post only went to her.
That worked, but I forgot to reset it back to “public.”
So, for a couple of days, all my posts, including the daily Bible reading and a post I wanted my son to see, only went to her timeline.
She was… An audience of one!
Paul is challenging us today to make God our audience of one.
His list covers anything we do.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
I Corinthians 10:31
Paul tells us in Colossians:
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:17
Do all in the name of Jesus. If I follow this verse, then it would help me to NOT do some things. There are some things that I can’t do “In the name of Jesus.”
And, he reminds us to give thanks to God.
Paul tells us to do it with gusto…
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”
Colossians 3:23
There’s a reward when we do this…
“Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:24
There’s something very freeing when we do all we do for God. We don’t have the stress of worrying about performance. It doesn’t matter if others don’t notice that I’m doing a good job. What matters is that I’m doing it for the King. This gives us a laser sharp focus.
I think the main reason to do whatever we do for God is that He loved us first.
“We love Him because He first loved us.”
I John 4:19
Because we are loved, we walk by, and live this life, by faith.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
We do whatever we do for God, and He works in us to help us do these things!
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13
Finally, remember:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
May the love of God motivate and empower you today to do whatever you do, for Him.
by George | Jan 1, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Goodbye 2020
“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12
I keep hearing people say that they will be glad when this year is over. The subject line of an email I received today said “Good riddance 2020!”
I would be lying if I said I hadn’t been thinking similar thoughts.
We want to hit fast forward, and be in the year 2021.
It seems ironic though, because one of the lessons we learned this year is that time is precious. We read every day about how many are sick with Covid, how full the hospitals are, and how many have died from Covid. We’ve realized that every day is a gift, and that we are here by the grace of God.
Years ago, I told a co-worker that I would be glad when Saturday came. He said “Don’t wish your life away.”
Someone talked about this subject a long time ago. It was Moses, the author of Psalm 90.
“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12
Whether you are reading this before or after the calendar has turned to 2021, I pray that God will teach all of us to number our days, to enjoy each day, and give us a heart of gratitude for each day we are given. Happy New Year!
