by George | Jul 19, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Getting Ahead of Yourself
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”
Proverbs 21:5
Do you ever “get ahead of yourself?”
The Cambridge Dictionary defines getting ahead of yourself as “to do something too early, or before you are ready or prepared.”
Englishlogica.com gives us two examples:
“She’s really getting ahead of herself she has all the furniture bought for the new house but the mortgage hasn’t even been approved yet.”
” We can spend a lot of time arguing about how to market the product but I think we are getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s get the design right first.”
We live in a fast-paced, goal-driven world. It’s easy to “put the cart before the horse.”
How do we fix this?
We need to slow down, pray, and think before we rush into things.
Solomon hits the nail on the head with his advice:
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”
Proverbs 21:5
Jesus said:
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
Lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?”
Luke 14:28-30
We need to commit our plans to God:
“Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.”
Proverbs 16:3
As you slow down, pray and plan… May God give you success!
Remember that you don’t have to get ahead of yourself, because God is already there…
“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
by George | Jul 12, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
The Answer is Love
“and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;”
Ephesians 5:2, 18-19
“How To Be Filled With The Spirit.”
This is the title of a message I delivered last Sunday.
I struggled with this topic as I prepared the message, and looked up several verses and commentaries.
Oh, how I worried about presenting it correctly. I woke up Sunday morning thinking about it and even wondered whether I was Spirit-filled.
Then, as I did my morning walk, I listened to Ephesians 5. When Paul got to the part about husbands and wives, something clicked!
Us minister folk generally only use the part in chapter 5 about husbands and wives, in marriage ceremonies.
Yes, that’s part of the application of these verses, but he also says:
“For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”
Ephesians 5:31-32
When we truly love someone, we desire to be with them.
This should also apply to our walk with God.
Remember the words of Jesus:
“… You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:27
Start out your day telling God that you love Him, be cleansed of your sins, ask Him to renew your mind, and fill you afresh with His Spirit.
Draw ever so close to Him… He will draw near to you, and fill you with joy…
by George | Jul 5, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Vacay and Celly
“Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ”
Luke 4:8
Braves’ outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr hit a home run and as he rounded the bases, he emulated Atlanta Hawks’ star Trae Young’s “Ice Trae” celebration.
MLB.com describes it as follows:
“After hitting his first leadoff homer of the year, Acuña came out of the box, took a few steps down the first-base line and then folded his arms and made a shivering motion akin to the one Young has shown after making a big shot down the stretch.”
The article also showed a Twitter post that included “@TheTraeYoung celly.”
Celly… It’s short for celebration.
The word celebration is only 6 letters longer, but I guess it sounds cooler to say “Celly.”
What about “vacay”? Is vacation too long a word for us now?
Vacay is even listed in the Cambridge dictionary!
OK, using shortened versions of words like “admin” instead of administration, and “fridge” instead of refrigerator is nothing new. We’ve been doing that for a while. So, I guess I shouldn’t complain.
Using an abbreviation is taking a “shortcut” with words. It’s ok.
Taking shortcuts in life is not ok.
Jesus was tempted by the devil to take a shortcut.
“And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.”
Luke 4:5-7
It’s like he was saying, make a deal with me, and I’ll make your life easier.
But, Jesus was ready for him.
Jesus had just been baptized and “Full of the Spirit.” (Luke 4:1)
He faced Satan with God’s Word.
“Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ”
Luke 4:8
The easy way out is the wrong way out.
Stay filled with the Spirit, continue in prayer, and take up the whole armor of God.
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
Remember: “There are no shortcuts to success.” Annika Sorenstam
