Week Fifteen, 2019
WHO ARE YOU HOLDING UP?
By Florida Senator John Grant (Retired)
As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset (Exodus 17:11-12).
Originally built for the State, War and Navy Departments between 1871 and 1888, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington now houses a majority of offices for White House staff. It took seventeen years to build and it’s the largest granite building in the world. It houses eight monumental curving staircases of granite with over 4,000 individually cast bronze balusters.
The elegant staircases total 1,784 steps and each granite step weight 1,000 pounds. There are many architectural “firsts” in the cast iron and granite building, but one that is unique is the staircase design. Each step is held in place by the stair above it.
When you think about there are many examples of things and people who are held up by others. A famous quarterback needs a receiver and a good hockey player needs another player to assist in scoring a goal. No army can succeed unless each soldier does his assignment and holds up his buddies.
The Bible is filled with examples of how people held up one another. My favorite is in Exodus. The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”
So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
Remember that God is holding you up and is always guiding us. Who are you holding up?
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
When churches are started, they must focus on evangelism and ministry to their communities in order to grow. After a few years, many have gained so many members that some begin focusing on what the church can do for them.
Parents want better programs for their children; adults want programming focused on their needs. The church stops focusing externally on those it is called to reach and starts focusing internally on itself. And it plateaus and often declines.
The same can happen to individual Christians when we focus more on what Jesus can do for us than what we can do for him. We come to church and to God for what we can receive. And we stop fulfilling the Commission to which we are called.
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While man-made tragedies deservedly generate headlines and global sympathy, natural disasters affect millions across the country. The global annual death rate from natural disasters has fallen significantly over the years, but such tragedies affect 218 million people each year and claim 68,000 lives.
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S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S.
- a) Is there a sin to confess?
- b) Is there a promise to claim?
- c) Is there an attitude to change?
- d) Is there a command to obey?
- e) Is there an example to follow?
- f) Is there a prayer to pray?
- g) Is there an error to avoid?
- h) Is there a truth to believe?
- i) Is there something to thank God for?
‑Ken Whitten
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QUOTES YOU CAN USE
When we serve God and others, we find a greater significance than we can ever experience by serving ourselves. —Jim Denison
Justice is making wrong things right.
God would rather reward you for mercy than condemn you for judgment. —Ken Whitten
Personal discipline will bring organization out of chaos. —Bob Sprinkle
Indeed, a hallmark of virtuous adulthood is learning to find freedom in your work, rather than freedom from your work, even when work hurts.
Life is like a tea bag. You do not know what’s in it until you put it into hot water.