31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 30: Inherited + Imputed = We need help!
Yesterday we reviewed the significance of Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden. As a result of Adam’s sin, we all have a corrupt nature. His sin was passed down to us. “Therefore, just as sin came into the world [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 29: I Can’t Believe They Did That!
“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 28: The Defined Problem
I want to spend the next four days explaining very clearly what someone needs to do to be born again. I don’t intend to oversimplify, but only to be very clear. Everything we’ve discussed so far in our 31 Days [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 27: Are We There Yet?
Have you ever been on a vacation? I bet so. I remember when we took our kids to Disney World when they were much younger. We lived nearly 9 hours from Orlando, but it didn’t seem so long of a [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 26: Now What?
Christmas story…read. Food...eaten. Desserts…demolished. Dishes…cleaned. Pictures…snapped. Presents…opened. Torn wrapping paper…bagged. Naps…taken. Traveling…completed. Family…loved on. Now what? The Christmas season begins weeks and sometimes months before Christmas day. So much anticipation, purchasing, and craziness happen before that special day. Parties, children [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 25: The Birthday of a King
Birthday of a King In the little village of Bethlehem There lay a child one day And the sky was bright With a holy light O'er the place where Jesus lay. Alleluia O [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 24: Who Knew?
What if you were in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born? Here’s what I know. You probably would be unaware of anything going on in the city. It was a normal night for you and your family. In fact, if [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 23: God’s Purpose Prevails
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 22: The Greatest Worship Team!
We focused earlier in the month on the idea of worship being a response to God’s grace in our lives. I really wanted to put it together for you as we look at the complete picture of worship with some [...]
How to Respond When Your World Turns Upside-Down
When you hear the term upside-down, it most always refers to some kind of mess. A bag of flour turned upside-down means a broom and a mop. When mom comes home and the house is turned upside-down somebody’s in [...]
A Day To Remember
Memorial Day is a special day celebrated in the United States when we remember those who died that we might live freely. I had the privilege to speak with a gentleman years ago who drove one of the transportation [...]
Are You Pursuing God’s Heart?
A man after God's heart seldom uses the word "I" in a conversation. It is way to easy to use the word “I” in a conversation. Think about how many times you use that word in conversations with others. [...]
Unspeakable Love
Did you sleep well last night? Not Jesus... It was very early in the morning. While Peter denied knowing Jesus, Jesus was going through some of the most disrespectful times in six separate and illegal evening trials. At some [...]
You Cannot Lead Others Until You First Learn to Sacrifice
Sacrifice is giving up your established and desired preference for God’s established preference. Leaders who possess this attribute generally understand the idea of being a slave to God. Romans 6:22 puts it this way: 22 But now that you have [...]
Palm Sunday: Jesus came to Seek and Save
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Luke 19:30 The Preparation Jesus instructed His disciples to go and find a colt for Him to ride into Jerusalem. This colt was never ridden, and Jesus [...]
You Cannot Lead Others Until You First Learn To Serve
My wife and I were in a restaurant the other day and were served by people we didn’t know who treated us as the most special people they knew. They left no stone unturned. Our glasses were always full. [...]
You Cannot Lead Others Until You First Learn To Submit
I’ll never forget the day I took the door off my daughter’s room. No, I didn’t knock it down! She was mad about something (I really don’t even remember what it was) and went upstairs to her room and [...]
Don’t Let “50 Shades” Redefine Intimacy
Dungeons and Dragons, Lord of the Rings, Super Heroes, and Science Fiction movies all take us into the land of fantasy and transform us into other worlds and story lines that cause us to cheer for the underdogs, believe [...]
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.