by George | Aug 11, 2022 | Community News, Devotional
A War Cry
“When Judah turned around, behold, they were attacked both front and rear; so they cried to the Lord, and the priests blew the trumpets. Then the men of Judah raised a war cry, and when the men of Judah raised the war cry, then it was that God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.”
2 Chronicles 13:14-15
Things looked pretty bleak for Judah… They were surrounded on every side by their enemies.
What did they do? Did they surrender? No! They cried out to God.
Theglobalwatch.com explains:
“This crying out is the Hebrew word “Tsa’aq” (צָעַק ṣâ‘aq or tsa’aq). The word connotes an alertness to trouble that catalyzes an awakening and releases a cry of anguish in us. It will incite a gathering for agreement with others.”
Other examples:
- Genesis 27:34 Esau’s cry when he realizes Jacob had stolen his birthright.
- Genesis 41:55 The cry of the people of Egypt when there was a famine in the land.
- Exodus 5:8, 15 The cry of the Israelites when Pharaoh laid extra work on them in making bricks.
Theglobalwatch.com goes on to say:
“The “War Cry,” the rua, is a sure sound. It leaves no room for doubt or dismay. In our story it was a pivotal sound…. The “War cry,” or Heb. rua, is a different stance than tsa’aq. It is a stance that moves us beyond our prayers, petitions, and even declarations into a catalytic posture between God and what we see on earth. It is a position of full trust in God. Doubting and despair have dropped off our radar…”
- It was the shout that blew down the walls of Jericho, “And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: ‘Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!’” Joshua 6:16.
- It was the shout that Gideon’s army released when they defeated the Midianites, Judges 7:21.
- It was the shout that shook the earth when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, 1 Samuel 4:5. Once we have cried out to God, sounding the trumpet of war, we then issue a war cry, a declaration of faith that God is answering our prayer. Cry out to God! He is listening.
by George | Aug 4, 2022 | Community News, Devotional
How To Put Out A Fire
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1
“Fire! There’s a fire!”
These are words we hope we never hear. Fire causes destruction and death. Fire is all-consuming. The Bible says:
“…There are three things that will not be satisfied, Four that will not say, “Enough”: Sheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, “Enough.”
Proverbs 30:15-16
The fire of anger is much like a fire out of control.
“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.”
Proverbs 15:18
Someone who is very angry has the match, the fuel and the dry wood. When he lights it… Watch out!
So, what do you do when someone comes at you in fiery anger?
How do we extinguish their fire? The last part of Proverbs 15:18 gives the first answer: “… But the slow to anger calms a dispute.”
Be slow to anger. When you feel anger of retaliation start to build up inside, take a deep breath, think and pray.
Then, use a “God-approved” fire extinguisher: A soft, or gentle answer…
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1
May the peace of God reign in your heart today and keep the fires of anger at bay.
Pastor George
by George | Jul 28, 2022 | Community News, Devotional
Fireworks
Did you go see fireworks on July 4th? We did, but we didn’t have to drive to get there. Several folks in the neighborhood shot off fireworks in their yards. They did a good show of their pyrotechnic abilities.
The next morning, as I walked through the neighborhood, I could see charred remnants from the night before.
If I had a match with me, could I have relit them and expect to see a dazzling show like the night before? Obviously not.
Fireworks don’t last. They “do their job” and are gone.
I’m thankful that some things. that last forever.
Chuck Swindoll said:
“Do you realize there are only two eternal things on earth today? Only two: people and God’s Word. Everything else will ultimately be burned up—everything else. Kind of sets your priorities straight, doesn’t it?”
God’s word will endure forever.
“But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.”
1 Peter 1:25
His word will surely accomplish His purpose.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:10-11
People are eternal as well. Our lives may be short, but our souls live on forever.
Jesus explained it this way:
“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world… “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;”
Matthew 25:31-34, 41
God’s word is eternal, unchanging.
Our soul is eternal. How blessed would it be to spend eternity with God! It’s possible by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Chuck Swindoll sums it up:
“Only two things last forever—and I’m committed to both. How about you?”
