Ray McDonald's Blog

Devotional Thoughts

Pandemic Update: God Can Deliver Us!

Daniel 3:17

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.

Is there anything we are going through today that is too much to face alone? I know some folks – who will face Christmas this year without a parent for the first time (My first year without my father and later without my mother were hard years). I know some folks who have some major medical issues – and at times they seem to compound – one on top of another. I know some folks who are facing broken marriages this Christmas. I know some folks that are out of work this Christmas. The pandemic has impacted most of us – this Christmas.

What are some of the difficult things we are facing this year? Businesses are closed or closing. Stimulus checks may be sent out soon – but – millions – even billions will go to places not directly impacted by the pandemic or even to help Americans. Nothing is free folks. Someone – the hard working Americans – will need to pay for these funds being spent. The cancel culture is trying to dehumanize other Americans and our history. One study says many Americans can’t handle even a $400 bill that is beyond their ordinary bills. There are folks who haven’t planned well or haven’t had the opportunity to do so – and their economic state is not what they would wish. Some folks are still living paycheck to paycheck or social security check to social security check. I thought about becoming a financial advisor to help some folks.

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December 22, 2020 Posted by | Advent Thought, Build, Christmas, Church, Community, Daily Devotion, Discipleship, Encouragement, Evangelism, Faith Journey, Family, From the Pastor, Leadership, Marriage, Outreach, Personal, Prayer, Theology | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stay Committed

Daniel 3:17-18

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

RayMcDIf you’re rooting for the Orioles – this year – you’re one committed fan. They are in the midst of their worse season – ever. They are on track to finish with only 48 wins and a whopping 114 loses – or some terrible record like they have never seen. Their current record – after being swept by Boston is 35-84 – the worst in the majors this year (although Kansas City is not too far ahead of us at the moment). The race for the worst record is on – the prize – the #1 draft choice in each round of the upcoming draft.

Some believe the Orioles will not win 50 games this year. Their current record supports this theory – as I mentioned. They are headed to a 48-114 record at their current pace – and that is certainly a sorry state. If you are a follower of the Orioles – this year – you have your work cut out for you to stay committed. Continue reading

August 14, 2018 Posted by | Build, Church, Community, Daily Devotion, Discipleship, Encouragement, Evangelism, Faith Journey, From the Pastor, Leadership, Outreach, Personal, Theology | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God Is Able To Deliver Us

Daniel 3:17

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.

Is there anything we are going through today that is too much to face alone? I know some folks – myself included – who will face Christmas this year without a parent for the first time (my mom passed this year after my father passed 5 years ago). I know some folks who have some major medical issues – and at times they seem to compound – one on top of another. I know some folks who are facing broken marriages this Christmas. I know some folks that are out of work this Christmas.

What are some of the difficult things we are facing this year? The economy is doing amazingly! The market is higher than it has ever been – gaining 5,000 points in a calendar year for the first time ever. Yet some are not invested in the market – even with their retirement funds. Joblessness is the lowest it has been for decades. Yet there are still folks who haven’t planned well or haven’t had the opportunity to do so – and their economic state is not what they would wish. Some folks are still living paycheck to paycheck or social security check to social security check. Continue reading

December 21, 2017 Posted by | Advent Thought, Build, Christmas, Church, Community, Daily Devotion, Discipleship, Encouragement, Evangelism, Faith Journey, Family, From the Pastor, Leadership, Marriage, Personal, Theology | , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment