Pray Always for Your Friends Because They Need it
...and they continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 Sometimes you just need to pray. There are other times in life when you need others to pray. Prayer is a significant opportunity God gave us [...]
Hope in the Middle of Protests and Riots
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:7 We all need hope. Life seems to be so draining today. COVID-19, Murder Hornets, Crazy Rats, tropical storms, and Racial Injustice all [...]
Affirming Relationships Have Similar Characteristics
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 Affirming relationships are impossible to achieve! I've had it with people. How about you? Can you believe how they act, talk, and the ridiculous [...]
Relationship Issues are Sometimes a Pain
Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. Proverbs 12:16 There is nothing more reassuring than a long fuse on a firecracker. I remember as a kid going out to the road and lighting a [...]
Loving Others in a George Floyd World
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 From an early age, our parents and teachers teach us to be a friend to others. I can remember hearing my mom tell [...]
Always Choose the Right Motivation
whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, [...]
Love Drives Everything God Does
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Psalm 145:8 Sometimes you run across a verse that jumps out at you and screams, "You need to hear this today!" This is one of those [...]
Relationships Can Heal or Hurt
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 The longer I live, the more I understand the importance of relationships. Life is about relationships we build with God and with others. [...]
Despair is a Great Reason to Seek God
May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!" Psalm 70:4 I'm so done with this virus. I've tried to be obedient and follow the rules [...]
Your Need is Great, but the Options are Few
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 I'm not sure there is [...]
Dad Has Two Important Privileges
The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! Proverbs 20:7 Dads teach their children all kinds of things. How to cut the grass, how to edge the yard, how to change the oil, how [...]
Encourage us, God, in These Uncertain Times
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8 I have to let you in on a secret about [...]
What is my Purpose, and Why does it Matter?
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty. Psalm 104:1 A person's purpose is the theme of billions of books. I've counseled hundreds of people concerning [...]
Worship Doesn’t Mean Go to Church
Serve the Lord with Gladness! Come into His presence with singing Psalm 100:2 The old ball and chain. What do I have to do today? I remember as a child that each week my father asked me to cut [...]
Love is Remarkable When it’s Intentional
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 It seems so simple, and yet so difficult. Paul gives us a clear insight into the reason behind what we do and why it matters. Because we [...]
Trust the Lord in the Thunderstorms
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14 I don't have a photographic memory, but some events are etched in my mind, and I cannot forget them. When my [...]
I Don’t Think I Can Run the Race Anymore!
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 I had a good conversation with my mother yesterday, and she reminded me of something I had forgotten. Several years [...]
Is it Even Possible to Live Peaceably Anymore?
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18 There are those days and those people. I know you know what I mean. People breaking in lines, driving like fools, buying more toilet [...]
It seemed appropriate for our children to study about Noah’s ark and the flood in our Sunday School this past Sunday. Our parking lot had become a flowing river and people all over the city began to experience the results of 10-17 inches of rain over the past couple of days. For the safety of those who might have braved the weather, I cancelled all of our services for the day. I waited at the church for an hour or so in the event someone showed up unexpectedly. This never happened. So, I used the time to pray for our city and state.
I can’t even begin to understand the devastating loss. Our state, like many others, is connected through so many different relationships. This web of relationships extends not only through the state, but also through other states as well. We hurt for those who became victims of the uncertain flooding. Thousands and thousands of people are struggling to figure out their next steps as they spend time in shelters and hotels around the state. Many are cut off from surrounding communities because the rising water washed away access from all roads. Many of the hardest hit cities are without running water, and those who do have water in those areas have been encouraged to boil their water before drinking. I’m sure that you’ve seen pictures of the widespread destruction. It is bad. I ask that you pray for South Carolina.
Officials in Columbia, S.C. stated that all deaths were from an identical cause: people stranded in cars that filled with water. He was sure the death toll would increase as the waters begin to recede.
You may ask, “What is the purpose of such tragedy,” or “What now?” I want to explore a couple of thoughts with you.
God’s Ways are Higher than Ours
For some, this may be an excuse without support. However, as I reflect on the difficult times we face in life, I am always reminded that God’s purpose prevails (Proverbs 19:21). God takes the tragedy and destruction in this world and uses it for His good. We may never know how many people God will change as a result of what has happened in South Carolina this week. I am not minimizing the heartbreak, but I am highlighting the one who mends the broken hearted.
God’s Economy Helps us to Understand the Brevity of Stuff
We live in a self-sufficient world that seemingly does not need God. We have everything we need. We have cars, fancy houses, granite top counters, stainless steel appliances, computers, antique furniture, family pictures, and things that mean so much to us. However, God’s economy says that those things are just things that will eventually be gone (Matthew 6:19). While our stuff may not last, our relationship with God will.
God’s Desire is to Have a Relationship with us
Above all, God desires to have a relationship with us. He created us to worship Him and Him alone. This relationship begins with our salvation (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9; 8:9-10) and continues as we walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). This relationship is more important than anything else in your life. It is more important than your spouse, children, job, or career path.
So now what?
If you are in the middle of the flood crisis, seek God for His favor and grace in your life. God will provide so much love and care for you in the middle of what seems like total devastation. Pray and seek God’s strength. Pray and seek God’s peace (Philippians 4:6-7). Understanding Philippians 4:6-7 is easy when things are going well in our lives. But, lose your house, car, family pet, years of photographs, and other significant items and it becomes more difficult.
If you are reading this from the outside, please pray for the people of South Carolina. I really believe God is going to do things with the hearts of people throughout this state and country. Your generous donations have helped to provide water, shelter, and clothing to so many.
Pray that God would allow you to develop a heart of compassion towards those who are less fortunate. As we develop a right understanding of our place in the universe, we quickly acknowledge that we are really just a small part of something incredibly large. Pray that God would allow you to significantly touch someone today and make a difference. You never know the difficulty someone may be facing.