Jim George's Blog, page 13
March 4, 2014
When You Are Hurting… Pray!
One of my favorite words in the English language is “bittersweet.” It’s sort of like the well-known announcement, “I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” This picturesque term always reminds me that many occurrences in life fall simultaneously into the glad/sad category, bringing forth both emotions at once.
We wonder, How can something be both bitter and sweet at the same time? It can only be so because of God’s great power and grace! As you have probably already experienced, it is God and God alone who is able to sweeten what is bitter (Exodus 15:23-25), to make the one who is sad become glad (Psalm 30:11), and to turn something bad into something good (Romans 8:28). Therefore…
When your heart hurts… pray! Dare to step into the heart-wrenching cries of Psalm 55. It contains much-needed instruction for your own hurting, bewildered heart. Here you learn lessons for living life and about praying from a wounded heart. Evil and treachery, along with personal agony, caused David to cry out and contend with God:
Give ear to my prayer, O God, and do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily… My heart is severely pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me (see verses 1-2,4).
When you are driven to distraction by the assaults of others, when you are wrestling with despair, when all seems hopeless — like David — put your God-given faith to work and trust in the Lord.
And what will happen when you turn to God in prayer during your times of distress and pain? Your bitter ordeal will be sweetened. In your bad times — when your soul is hurting and your need for God’s gentle touch is at its greatest, when your heavy heart is the most sensitive — your prayers will be the most sweet and rewarding. Please don’t wish these times away! Some of your most meaningful fellowship with God will come when you contend with Him over your hurting heart. So fly away in prayer… and rest in Him.
We wonder, How can something be both bitter and sweet at the same time? It can only be so because of God’s great power and grace! As you have probably already experienced, it is God and God alone who is able to sweeten what is bitter (Exodus 15:23-25), to make the one who is sad become glad (Psalm 30:11), and to turn something bad into something good (Romans 8:28). Therefore…
When your heart hurts… pray! Dare to step into the heart-wrenching cries of Psalm 55. It contains much-needed instruction for your own hurting, bewildered heart. Here you learn lessons for living life and about praying from a wounded heart. Evil and treachery, along with personal agony, caused David to cry out and contend with God:
Give ear to my prayer, O God, and do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily… My heart is severely pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me (see verses 1-2,4).
When you are driven to distraction by the assaults of others, when you are wrestling with despair, when all seems hopeless — like David — put your God-given faith to work and trust in the Lord.
And what will happen when you turn to God in prayer during your times of distress and pain? Your bitter ordeal will be sweetened. In your bad times — when your soul is hurting and your need for God’s gentle touch is at its greatest, when your heavy heart is the most sensitive — your prayers will be the most sweet and rewarding. Please don’t wish these times away! Some of your most meaningful fellowship with God will come when you contend with Him over your hurting heart. So fly away in prayer… and rest in Him.
February 27, 2014
A Marriage Made in Heaven
As we consider the husband/wife relationship of Isaac and Rebekah, we are tempted to ask, “How can a relationship begin so beautifully… and end so badly?” (See Genesis 24-25.) Their marriage began as an answer to earnest prayer and God’s sure leading. And you can almost hear swelling music as Rebekah first spotted her husband-to-be from a distance, leaped off her camel, ran to Isaac “and he loved her” (24:67).
We can only wonder, “What happened?” Looking at their beginning of their relationship, we get the sense that Isaac and Rebekah’s marriage was a match made in heaven. The only problem we see is that for the first 20 years, Rebekah was childless. But Isaac pleaded with God for a child, and God responded by granting not one, but two children—twins!
Soon another problem arose that split this loving couple–and their family–in two: Each parent had a favorite child. And each parent plotted, connived, and schemed for their personal favorite to advance over the other.
Their story ends with Rebekah helping her favored son, Jacob, deceive her husband and Jacob’s father into giving Jacob the blessing of the firstborn, rather than to the rightful heir, Esau. The family was torn apart as their son Jacob was forced to leave home and run for his life, and their son Esau rebelled and left home and married a woman from idolatrous neighbors. Such a tragic ending after a thrilling, hopeful beginning!
What can you do to keep your marriage alive and vibrant? First, be on the lookout for problems that can escalate and ruin a marriage. Second, look daily to God for His love. The fire of your love will not sustain your marriage unless that fire is fed, stoked, stirred, and constantly tended. The more it is fueled by God, the greater its flame. Bless one another in your marriage. Don’t complain that you don’t have time to work on your marriage. Make the time, and you will, by God’s grace, have a marriage made in heaven.
We can only wonder, “What happened?” Looking at their beginning of their relationship, we get the sense that Isaac and Rebekah’s marriage was a match made in heaven. The only problem we see is that for the first 20 years, Rebekah was childless. But Isaac pleaded with God for a child, and God responded by granting not one, but two children—twins!
Soon another problem arose that split this loving couple–and their family–in two: Each parent had a favorite child. And each parent plotted, connived, and schemed for their personal favorite to advance over the other.
Their story ends with Rebekah helping her favored son, Jacob, deceive her husband and Jacob’s father into giving Jacob the blessing of the firstborn, rather than to the rightful heir, Esau. The family was torn apart as their son Jacob was forced to leave home and run for his life, and their son Esau rebelled and left home and married a woman from idolatrous neighbors. Such a tragic ending after a thrilling, hopeful beginning!
What can you do to keep your marriage alive and vibrant? First, be on the lookout for problems that can escalate and ruin a marriage. Second, look daily to God for His love. The fire of your love will not sustain your marriage unless that fire is fed, stoked, stirred, and constantly tended. The more it is fueled by God, the greater its flame. Bless one another in your marriage. Don’t complain that you don’t have time to work on your marriage. Make the time, and you will, by God’s grace, have a marriage made in heaven.
February 25, 2014
From Jim’s Heart – Lord, Guide Me!
One thousand years before Jesus came to earth, King Solomon gave his understanding of what is needed to receive guidance from God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Solomon said we must choose God’s path and allow Him to guide us. To do this, you must “trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Rely totally upon God’s wisdom. God knows what is best for you, your endeavors, and your future. He created you.
To receive God’s guidance, Solomon said, “In all your ways acknowledge Him.” In other words, you are to seek God’s will in all you do. Turn every area of your life over to God and examine your values and priorities to see how they match up with God’s.
When you remember to acknowledge God’s presence and include Him in all that you do, be assured that “He will make your paths straight.” He will guide you into accomplishing His purposes and not your own.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Solomon said we must choose God’s path and allow Him to guide us. To do this, you must “trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Rely totally upon God’s wisdom. God knows what is best for you, your endeavors, and your future. He created you.
To receive God’s guidance, Solomon said, “In all your ways acknowledge Him.” In other words, you are to seek God’s will in all you do. Turn every area of your life over to God and examine your values and priorities to see how they match up with God’s.
When you remember to acknowledge God’s presence and include Him in all that you do, be assured that “He will make your paths straight.” He will guide you into accomplishing His purposes and not your own.
February 18, 2014
Partners in Faith
A study of Abraham and Sarah, a couple after God’s own heart, paints an extraordinary portrait! No other marriage in the Bible is given as much space. In the 13 chapters that detail their lives up until Sarah’s death, we get a glimpse of the epic tale of their love, their trials, their partnership, and their adventures. In them we see three basic elements needed to build a marriage that lasts.
Foundation. What was the foundation of their marriage—and their lives? There can be no doubt it was faith. Abraham, the husband, was a man of faith, and Sarah, the wife, was a woman of faith. They were God’s perfect combination! They possessed strong individual trust in God, which made them partners in faith.
Blueprint. They followed God’s blueprint for their lives. What God said, they did. Like master builders—whether of an edifice or a marriage—they followed the specs and regulations set down by God. They had faith in Him and in His plans for them.
Tools. What were the tools Abraham and Sarah used to build a marriage worthy to be mentioned in God’s Hall of Faith? First, we see their reliance on and heavy use of the promises of God. (We can only imagine the many discussions Abraham and Sarah had about the fact that they had no heir! And we can also imagine them continually and constantly reminding each other of God’s sure promise.) We also see patience as a tool for trusting and living for God. They waited and waited…and waited for a child.
No matter how tough it gets for you to trust God and wait patiently on Him, like Abraham and Sarah, pull out these words spoken by the Lord, face-to-face with Abraham, when He repeated His promise of a son through Sarah: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)
The answer? No, of course not.
Foundation. What was the foundation of their marriage—and their lives? There can be no doubt it was faith. Abraham, the husband, was a man of faith, and Sarah, the wife, was a woman of faith. They were God’s perfect combination! They possessed strong individual trust in God, which made them partners in faith.
Blueprint. They followed God’s blueprint for their lives. What God said, they did. Like master builders—whether of an edifice or a marriage—they followed the specs and regulations set down by God. They had faith in Him and in His plans for them.
Tools. What were the tools Abraham and Sarah used to build a marriage worthy to be mentioned in God’s Hall of Faith? First, we see their reliance on and heavy use of the promises of God. (We can only imagine the many discussions Abraham and Sarah had about the fact that they had no heir! And we can also imagine them continually and constantly reminding each other of God’s sure promise.) We also see patience as a tool for trusting and living for God. They waited and waited…and waited for a child.
No matter how tough it gets for you to trust God and wait patiently on Him, like Abraham and Sarah, pull out these words spoken by the Lord, face-to-face with Abraham, when He repeated His promise of a son through Sarah: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)
The answer? No, of course not.
February 11, 2014
What Does Grace Do?
What does God’s grace do besides equip us to get through hard times? What does grace accomplish?
God’s grace saves you. The Bible says we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), but praise God! By His grace He offers us salvation: “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). God’s grace is poured out on you through Jesus Christ. As one hymn writer expressed it, “Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe.”
God’s grace guides you. Paul said, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:10). No matter your background or past or the challenges that stood in you path, God patiently guides you by His grace. God has a plan for you, and He means for you to live it out.
God’s grace empowers you. Whatever you now face or ever will face, you can count on God! You can be content and at peace because God’s grace provides all you need now and forever. The psalmist believed and professed, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me” (Psalm 138:8).
God’s grace is sufficient for you. “Sufficient” is a tremendously comforting word that means ample, enough, adequate. Through God’s grace, you have all you need—salvation, the ability to live for Christ, and the way home to glory.
God’s grace saves you. The Bible says we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), but praise God! By His grace He offers us salvation: “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). God’s grace is poured out on you through Jesus Christ. As one hymn writer expressed it, “Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe.”
God’s grace guides you. Paul said, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:10). No matter your background or past or the challenges that stood in you path, God patiently guides you by His grace. God has a plan for you, and He means for you to live it out.
God’s grace empowers you. Whatever you now face or ever will face, you can count on God! You can be content and at peace because God’s grace provides all you need now and forever. The psalmist believed and professed, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me” (Psalm 138:8).
God’s grace is sufficient for you. “Sufficient” is a tremendously comforting word that means ample, enough, adequate. Through God’s grace, you have all you need—salvation, the ability to live for Christ, and the way home to glory.
February 4, 2014
Coping with Life’s Circumstances
Who do you depend on to get through life? The Apostle Paul, a humble servant and “prisoner” of the Lord, considered himself to be “God-sufficient.” His confidence was securely rooted in the Lord and His sovereign providence over his life. As a man who walked with Jesus, Paul could cope with anything life threw at him.
Lasting encouragement is found in the secret to contentment—knowing Jesus!
So why not…
- Learn as Paul did to endure, complete, cope with, and manage all things through Christ who will give you strength. Christ is in you, and He extends His grace and strength to you.
- Look to the Lord for His strength. You can trust God to bring you to and through the good plan He has for your life (Jeremiah 29:11).
- Live out your confidence in God and rejoice in your contentment in every situation.
- Love others by giving and sharing what you have.
No matter what you’re facing, embrace life in trust and contentment based on your faith in Jesus.
Lasting encouragement is found in the secret to contentment—knowing Jesus!
So why not…
- Learn as Paul did to endure, complete, cope with, and manage all things through Christ who will give you strength. Christ is in you, and He extends His grace and strength to you.
- Look to the Lord for His strength. You can trust God to bring you to and through the good plan He has for your life (Jeremiah 29:11).
- Live out your confidence in God and rejoice in your contentment in every situation.
- Love others by giving and sharing what you have.
No matter what you’re facing, embrace life in trust and contentment based on your faith in Jesus.
January 30, 2014
From Jim’s Heart—Take Courage
I’m sure you’ve faced a difficult situation or had a meeting or a rigorous commitment you needed to brave. How encouraging it is when you have family and friends nearby to support and encourage you! Their presence provides a stimulus to do your best and promotes the courage to do the right thing.
As great as family and friends are, it’s even more motivating to know that God is always right there with you, no matter what happens…and no matter where you go. If your courage is a little thin these days and you feel like you are being overwhelmed by tough encounters and responsibilities, take courage, my friend. God is with you to help you fight your battles. Be strong and courageous! Whenever you are feeling anxious or afraid about something today, or sense your courage is faltering, draw power and courage from
-God’s character—”For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own” (1 Samuel 12:22).
-God’s Word—”In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” (Psalm 56:4).
-God’s presence—”The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (Psalm 34:7).
Since God is with you and you are with God,
you have nothing to fear.
As great as family and friends are, it’s even more motivating to know that God is always right there with you, no matter what happens…and no matter where you go. If your courage is a little thin these days and you feel like you are being overwhelmed by tough encounters and responsibilities, take courage, my friend. God is with you to help you fight your battles. Be strong and courageous! Whenever you are feeling anxious or afraid about something today, or sense your courage is faltering, draw power and courage from
-God’s character—”For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own” (1 Samuel 12:22).
-God’s Word—”In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” (Psalm 56:4).
-God’s presence—”The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (Psalm 34:7).
Since God is with you and you are with God,
you have nothing to fear.
January 28, 2014
A Choice Garment
Like me, you get up every day, go to your closet, and select the clothes you’ll wear for the day. Well, you need to do the same thing spiritually. Here’s a partial list of God’s approved wardrobe:
-Put on the new man (Ephesians 4:24).
-Put on a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4).
-Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering (Colossians 3:12).
-Put on love (Colossians 3:14).
-Adorn yourself with good works (1 Timothy 3:10).
-Be clothed with humility (1 Peter 5:5).
What are you wearing today? Peter says “be clothed with humility.” God wants us to be marked by our clothing, our garments of humility. Like Jesus, who was in the form of God, and equal with God, and before whom every knee shall bow, we are to humbly serve others. He showed us how when “He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded” (John 13:5).
Take a minute to think about your life. Each facet of your life and each person in it is a prime opportunity arranged by God for nurturing the beauty of humility and loving service in you.
-Put on the new man (Ephesians 4:24).
-Put on a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4).
-Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering (Colossians 3:12).
-Put on love (Colossians 3:14).
-Adorn yourself with good works (1 Timothy 3:10).
-Be clothed with humility (1 Peter 5:5).
What are you wearing today? Peter says “be clothed with humility.” God wants us to be marked by our clothing, our garments of humility. Like Jesus, who was in the form of God, and equal with God, and before whom every knee shall bow, we are to humbly serve others. He showed us how when “He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded” (John 13:5).
Take a minute to think about your life. Each facet of your life and each person in it is a prime opportunity arranged by God for nurturing the beauty of humility and loving service in you.
January 23, 2014
Reflect God’s Light
Jim and I celebrated one anniversary on the Big Island of Hawaii, which included a trip to the famous active Kilauea Volcano. We were told to arrive at the lava flow just before dark so that we could see the most active area of red-hot lava at night. We were also warned to bring flashlights so we wouldn’t fall while hiking in the dark.
As the sun began to slip into the Pacific, we started our trek over mounds of hardened lava. Right away we met a couple struggling to make the same walk without flashlights. Since we had two, Jim gave them one of ours. I can’t imagine what might have happened to them if we hadn’t come along with that extra flashlight.
You and I have the same need for light in the spiritual realm. Before we belonged to Christ, we were like that couple trying to walk on the path, stumbling and falling. But now we have the light of Christ, and God expects us to “let it shine.” He wants us to pass on the light and be a positive influence to those still in darkness.
Christ is no longer physically present on earth, but you reflect His light to those in darkness as you bear the fruit of goodness, righteousness, truthfulness. You are unbelievably blessed as a child of God! God says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Imagine! Just as Jim and I were able to physically assist a couple trying to walk in the dark by giving them a flashlight, you are able to do the same spiritually as you reflect the light that is yours as a child of the Supreme Light.
As the sun began to slip into the Pacific, we started our trek over mounds of hardened lava. Right away we met a couple struggling to make the same walk without flashlights. Since we had two, Jim gave them one of ours. I can’t imagine what might have happened to them if we hadn’t come along with that extra flashlight.
You and I have the same need for light in the spiritual realm. Before we belonged to Christ, we were like that couple trying to walk on the path, stumbling and falling. But now we have the light of Christ, and God expects us to “let it shine.” He wants us to pass on the light and be a positive influence to those still in darkness.
Christ is no longer physically present on earth, but you reflect His light to those in darkness as you bear the fruit of goodness, righteousness, truthfulness. You are unbelievably blessed as a child of God! God says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Imagine! Just as Jim and I were able to physically assist a couple trying to walk in the dark by giving them a flashlight, you are able to do the same spiritually as you reflect the light that is yours as a child of the Supreme Light.
Reflect God’s Light
Jim and I celebrated one anniversary on the Big Island of Hawaii, which included a trip to the famous active Kilauea Volcano. We were told to arrive at the lava flow just before dark so that we could see the most active area of red-hot lava at night. We were also warned to bring flashlights so we wouldn’t fall while hiking in the dark.
As the sun began to slip into the Pacific, we started our trek over mounds of hardened lava. Right away we met a couple struggling to make the same walk without flashlights. Since we had two, Jim gave them one of ours. I can’t imagine what might have happened to them if we hadn’t come along with that extra flashlight.
You and I have the same need for light in the spiritual realm. Before we belonged to Christ, we were like that couple trying to walk on the path, stumbling and falling. But now we have the light of Christ, and God expects us to “let it shine.” He wants us to pass on the light and be a positive influence to those still in darkness.
Christ is no longer physically present on earth, but you reflect His light to those in darkness as you bear the fruit of goodness, righteousness, truthfulness. You are unbelievably blessed as a child of God! God says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Imagine! Just as Jim and I were able to physically assist a couple trying to walk in the dark by giving them a flashlight, you are able to do the same spiritually as you reflect the light that is yours as a child of the Supreme Light.
As the sun began to slip into the Pacific, we started our trek over mounds of hardened lava. Right away we met a couple struggling to make the same walk without flashlights. Since we had two, Jim gave them one of ours. I can’t imagine what might have happened to them if we hadn’t come along with that extra flashlight.
You and I have the same need for light in the spiritual realm. Before we belonged to Christ, we were like that couple trying to walk on the path, stumbling and falling. But now we have the light of Christ, and God expects us to “let it shine.” He wants us to pass on the light and be a positive influence to those still in darkness.
Christ is no longer physically present on earth, but you reflect His light to those in darkness as you bear the fruit of goodness, righteousness, truthfulness. You are unbelievably blessed as a child of God! God says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Imagine! Just as Jim and I were able to physically assist a couple trying to walk in the dark by giving them a flashlight, you are able to do the same spiritually as you reflect the light that is yours as a child of the Supreme Light.
