When You’re Lame and Don’t Realize it – March 11
And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 3:8 So what happens when you have no hope? Imagine your normal life is so undesirable that [...]
Jesus wants to Rescue You – March 10
Come out of sadness from wherever you've been Come broken hearted let rescue begin Come find your mercy oh sinner come kneel Earth has no sorrow that heaven can't heal Earth has no sorrow that heaven can't heal So [...]
Sin Always Has Consequences – March 5
~ 2 Samuel 11:1-5 We all get into messes. We make bad choices and find ourselves squarely in the sights of Satan, the evil one, and he is quick to turn our messes into a blazing dumpster fire. We [...]
Your Speech Matters – March 4
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. ~ James 1:26 Being a Christ-follower is a serious business. I can't even explain how serious, but there [...]
The Word and Our Responsibility – March 3
But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ~ James 1:22 I remember growing up in my house as a child and thinking that I must have been the only one who had parents as [...]
Hear First or You’ll Hurt Others
Know this, my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. ~ James 1:19 I have to be honest with you. James 1:19 is one of the most challenging things for me [...]
If You’re Brokenhearted, There’s Hope – February 27
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. ~ Psalm 34:18 It is a pretty safe assumption that you are experiencing or have experienced brokenheartedness. It comes in many forms and is the result [...]
Trust the Lord in Your Chaos – February 26
Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. ~ Psalm 34:5 I'm that guy. There is no pretense with me, and you can look at my face and tell my mood. If I'm [...]
Overcoming Your Fears – February 25
I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. ~ Psalm 34:4 I grew up in a loving home with parents who cared for me and provided all my needs. My mom was [...]
Jesus Offers Just What We Need – April 1
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11 My son has been working for Disney this past year, which allowed my wife and me to visit him and Disney World [...]
A Difficult Thursday…Passover with His Disciples
When you look back on your life, you will undoubtedly remember that some days were more difficult than others. Maybe it was the day you heard about a terminal illness, a miscarriage, the death of someone close to you, [...]
Jesus Protects His Sheep – March 31
The sheep hear His voice, and he calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:3 What if you knew? Ten days to live, and you knew it. How would you plan your days? Would you [...]
Expectation can Change Perspectives – March 30
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 1 Corinthians 15:19 I woke up, hit the alarm, brushed my teeth, cleared the fog from my mind, nothing has [...]
Is Prayer is Necessary? – March 27
And rising very early in the morning while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35 When do you pray? I realize this is a very personal question, [...]
Is Eternity Worth Chasing? – March 26
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21 I thought I did enough to make it. I [...]
Are you Broken Hearted Today? – March 25
He heals the brokenhearted. Psalm 147:3 It's 4:30 am and pouring rain. I can't sleep. So off to the coffee pot I go. I'm not sure what I'd do without my french press friend who helps me each morning [...]
Pride is the Enemy of Light – March 24
Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them... Matthew 6:1 "Look at me! Watch what I'm doing! I'm helping people! I'm cutting their bushes. I'm washing their car. I'm raking their yard. [...]
Our Hope is in You, Lord – March 23
We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In Him, our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you [...]
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.