New Year—New You!

2017 looms dead ahead! As you prepare to step over the threshold separating the old and the new, I would encourage you to consider the words of Oswald Chambers from his book, My Utmost for His Highest: “Leave the broken, irreversible past in God’s hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.”

Regardless of what 2016 may have been to you, whether good or bad, a clean slate is staring you in the face. Learn from the goods, the bads, the rights, and the wrongs of 2016 and then move on. Hand it off to God and step into your new year—your new you!

Don’t allow the hardships, the problems, the negativities, the brokenness, the lies and the deceits of the past follow you into the new year for with them only comes corruption to your soul and to your clean slate.

Jesus tells us: “Look! I am making everything new” (Revelation 21:5 HCSB). While this Scripture refers to the final newness that will one day come at the end of time, Jesus desires to make your 2017 a new experience full of new experiences for you to step into—to become a part of.

The Psalmist declares a word of promise you can hang onto as you move across into your next year: “The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever” (Psalm 121:8).

As you prepare for this big move, I would encourage you to prayerfully consider your present relationship with Christ. You desire a new you, a new future, new experiences; you desire to leave the past in the past; you desire to walk into the newness of the new year—consider this important word from Paul: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Being absolutely, totally “in Christ” is the key to your newness!

As you look to the future, understand that, although our nation is about to undergo some radical changes, these changes, whether good or bad, right or wrong, have no real bearing on the child of God who is living for the kingdom of God.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we should be much less concerned with who is in the White House and much more concerned with Who is on the throne in our hearts and lives. People of power come and go but the kingdom of God lives on forever and ever.

Our concern, as children of God’s kingdom, must advance beyond the ever-changing politics of humanity and rest upon the plan of God. It is His plans that will ultimately be played out in their entirety when everything else has come to an end.

This New Year should initiate a time of reflection into your own life “in Christ” and how you can become more enabled to advance the kingdom of God. Our mission is straightforward to “GO!” and to make disciples. The plan for the church is to turn the world upside-down with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Impacting our world for Jesus is truly what real life is all about.

A new you for the New Year is God’s ambitious desire for all His children. What 2017 becomes for you is what you determine to make out of it. I challenge you to take up the torch of the kingdom of God and advance forward—determined to make a difference in the world God has placed you in!

May your 2017 be a year marked by great progress both within yourself as well as others and advancement for the kingdom of God!

God bless you!

Scripture Reading: “I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep. The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side. The sun will not strike you by day, or the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.” (Psalm 121 HCSB)

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I rejoice for all You have given me. I praise You for life, for health, for family, for a place in Your kingdom! I pray that my New Year will be filled with opportunities to share the love of Jesus to our lost world. I pray You would enable me to recognize these opportunities and give me the courage, strength and wisdom to step into them and make a difference for Your sake. I pray You would carry out great things through me in this New Year. I pray You would bring new life to Your church accompanied by a desire to carry out Your mission, to fulfill Your purpose. Help us to lay aside our wants and desires and to look to You and what You would have for us to be doing. I love You and praise You…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Someone Who Will Always Be There

How often have you been through those times where it seemed as though you’d just lost your best and only friend? Maybe you were experiencing a really difficult time in life, you needed someone who would be there for you and yet no one seemed to care?

Jesus warned His disciples that they would abandon Him in a very critical hour. He said: “Look: An hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave Me alone” (John 16:32 HCSB).  It wasn’t long before that moment came. The evening before He was crucified, Jesus and His disciples were praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. As the temple guard and soldiers approached Jesus to arrest Him, Mark tells us: “all his disciples deserted him and ran away” (Mark 14:50 NLT). 

A short time later, Jesus found Himself in the midst of the deepest, darkest moment He had ever been forced to endure. He was under intense questioning by Pilate, while being openly ridiculed and reviled by the Jewish leaders and suffering extreme torment and torture by the Roman soldiers.

As the intensity of the situation heightened, Luke tells us that Peter denied he even knew who Jesus was. And as the cock crowed a third time, “the Lord turned and looked at Peter. So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times’” (Luke 22:61). Can you even imagine the loneliness Jesus had to be experiencing at that moment?

We have all been through our times of loneliness which led to bouts of despair. Those times when you couldn’t find a shoulder to lean on, arms to cry in, a friend to share with—abandonment was all you could feel.

The writer of the Proverbs tells us that “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (18:24 NIV). That friend is Someone who promises that He “will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). He is Someone who will be right there for you and with you no matter how difficult the trials and tribulations may be. Peter encourages us to “give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT).

Regardless of the loneliness you may be experiencing, the difficulties your life is being put through, the total abandonment you are feeling from your closest friends and family members—remember, Jesus is Someone who will always be there for you. He sticks closer than the closest brother. He will never leave you, abandon you or forsake you. Simply trust Him to always be there for you, to step in and carry you through the difficulties and problems of your hectic life.

Scripture Reading: “Praise is rightfully Yours, God, in Zion; vows to You will be fulfilled. All humanity will come to You, the One who hears prayer. Iniquities overwhelm me; only You can atone for our rebellions. How happy is the one You choose and bring near to live in Your courts! We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple. You answer us in righteousness, with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas; You establish the mountains by Your power, robed with strength; You silence the roar of the seas, the roar of their waves, and the tumult of the nations. Those who live far away are awed by Your signs; You make east and west shout for joy. You visit the earth and water it abundantly, enriching it greatly. God’s stream is filled with water, for You prepare the earth in this way, providing [people] with grain. You soften it with showers and bless its growth, soaking its furrows and leveling its ridges. You crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with plenty. The wilderness pastures overflow, and the hills are robed with joy. The pastures are clothed with flocks, and the valleys covered with grain. They shout in triumph; indeed, they sing.” (Psalm 65 HCSB)

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, help me to learn to place my trust in You in every situation I face. Help me to recognize You as the Source of my help, hope and dependence. Help me to not be discouraged when those around me fail to be there for me when I need them most. Also, please help me to be strong for others when they need someone to talk to, to lean on, to trust in. Father, I thank You for Your love, Your protection, Your guidance and Your direction in my life. Thank You for always being there for me…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Finding Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness

Hopelessness is on the rise around the globe. The growing threats of war, hunger, strife, rebellion, conflicts, famine, shortages of many kinds are all working together to lead humanity into a world of constant fear onset by the hopelessness that society now offers.

Perhaps you are struggling with feelings of hopelessness brought on by situations and circumstances you feel you have lost all control of. Your world seems to be crumbling a little more every day? Perhaps there is a sickness you are struggling with? Financial difficulties? A lack of basic necessities? A need for a job or family struggles that just won’t go away?

It has been said that “Feeling hopeless and full of despair is just a slow way of being dead.” Maybe that’s how you’re feeling today? As though your life is slowly being sucked out of you? Perhaps you feel as though your hopeless situations are slowly draining the life right out of you?

Life was not always easy or grand for King David. His struggles often led him to a place of despair. He would finally make it to the place where he was standing tall upon the mountaintop of victory only to have himself suddenly knocked off by another discouraging situation. His life was filled with ebbs and flows, ups and downs, victories and defeats.

David recognized his personal inabilities. Though he was a great warrior, he understood his own abilities were limited—he needed a higher power to run beside him and to be there to pick him up and carry him when times became more than he could handle.

In a moment of desperation, David declared: “The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom should I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 HCSB). He recognized God Almighty was that Higher Power. He knew there was no other he could place his trust in when troubles mounted and problems assailed and hopelessness began to set in.

Perhaps you are struggling to discover something, someone that can help you through your periods of desperation and despair? Perhaps you have longed for someone who you could confidently place your hope and trust in?

David said: “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me” (v. 10). The Lord is concerned about you, your welfare, and all your situations. He will protect you, oversee you your life, watch over you every step and always be there as a constant help for you. He promises to never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He is your hope when everything appears bleak and hopeless.

David concluded this Psalm with these reassuring words: “I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Wait for the Lord” (vv. 13-14). Your security is found in the One who is always faithful to provide the assurance He has promised to all who remain faithful to Him.

David was certain of God’s goodness, grace and mercy. He understood he merely needed to wait upon the Lord and the Lord would deliver him and grant him the peace, security and hope he so desperately needed in his life. Today, quit focusing upon the mounting problems and simply trust in the One who will deliver you when you need it most. Find His hope in the midst of your hopelessness.

Scripture Reading: “The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom should I be afraid? When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh, my foes and my enemies stumbled and fell. Though an army deploy against me, my heart is not afraid; though war break out against me, still I am confident. I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking Him in His temple. For He will conceal me in His shelter in the day of adversity; He will hide me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high on a rock. Then my head will be high above my enemies around me; I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the Lord. Lord, hear my voice when I call; be gracious to me and answer me. In Your behalf my heart says, “Seek My face.” Lord, I will seek Your face. Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger. You have been my help; do not leave me or abandon me, God of my salvation. Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me. Because of my adversaries, show me Your way, Lord, and lead me on a level path. Do not give me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing violence. I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27 HCSB)

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I need Your help Your help today. My life is filled with hopelessness. You alone are the Giver of hope. I need hope today. I need help today. I need Your direct intervention in every aspect of my life and situation. I pray You would step in and give my heart Your peace. Please help me as I face every day to do so with all my confidence placed in You. While everything else appears hopeless, grant me Your hope today, Lord. I trust in You. I love You. I need You always. In Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Deciding on the Right Path

Have you ever made a wrong turn and found yourself very lost before you realized something went wrong somewhere? Maybe you were hiking down a trail and decided to venture off the path for a better view of the surroundings only to discover you couldn’t find the right path again?

Maybe you have made decisions in life that took you places you later wished you had never gone? Maybe you made some bad choices and soon found yourself engaging in a lifestyle you never would’ve imagined yourself in? Maybe your life is in bondage to habits or a lifestyle that you can’t seem to break free from?

Life is a series of decisions and choices we make. As we wonder along, we constantly approach forks in our path that require us to decide which way we will go. One of those forks, the single most important you will be come across, concerns your eternity.

The right path leads through Jesus to eternal life while the other continues to lead to a path of ultimate destruction. You have to decide which path you wish to follow. No one can make that decision for you. The eventual consequences for your decision will rest securely upon your head on the day of final judgement.

In His great love for you and me and His desire to share eternity with us, Jesus encourages everyone to “enter through the narrow gate” (Matthew 7:13a HCSB); to discover the right path and to follow it. He warned us all that “the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it” (v. 13b).

You look out at the world and it’s enticing, no doubt—the lights, the glamour, the excitement, the freedom it has to offer—really hard to push away from. The draw of worldly things, worldly living makes it extremely difficult to find any other way but the wide road. Everyone around you is having a great time. How can you choose any different? The right path will be there later—after you’ve enjoyed life’s pleasures for a season! Or will it?

How many people have made just such a decision to find themselves facing eternity unexpectedly? How many have driven away from their home to never return—because their drinking ended in a tragic accident that was never expected?

In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus told the story of a young man who had it all going for him in life but when he least expected it, “God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you’” (Luke 12:20).

Jesus enhanced His warning when He said: “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door. Then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up for us!’ He will answer you, ‘I don’t know you or where you’re from’” (Luke 13:24-25).

A time is coming when the door will close and entry will no longer be available. Some who are relying upon a few good deeds or actions will discover eternal life required more. Jesus will announce to these, “I never knew you! Depart from Me” (Matthew 7:23).

Eternal life is a choice you make. The price has been paid. But you must choose to follow the path of Jesus to inherit His kingdom. You must determine to surrender yourself over to Him, to serve Him and to follow after His ways. Deciding on the right path is your choice.

Scripture Reading: “How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgment, and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.” (Psalm 1 HCSB)

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I confess my life has not been up to par. I have chosen the wrong path time and again. The wrong path has always left me feeling inadequate and ill-prepared to love You and to follow after You. Today, I am making the determination in my life to follow only You. I turn my back on the world and all its ways and I surrender completely to You as my Savior and Lord. Please forgive me where I have failed You and take complete control of my life. Thank You, Jesus, for not giving up on me. I love You and praise You! In Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Just When Your Day Can’t Get Any Worse

Ever had one of those days when things just couldn’t get any worse, but they do? Things go wrong at home; then they are compounded by problems at work; only to be superseded by some dreadful news about another catastrophe within the family. These are those times when it seems to just continue to pile up until all you want to do is run and hide—just get me out of this mess, Lord!

David and his fighting men had been engaged in battle alongside the Philistine warriors. However, the commanders were unsure of his loyalty so they sent him and his men back home to Ziklag rather than allowing them to fight in the next battle. The Bible tells us: “David and his men arrived in Ziklag on the third day. The Amalekites had raided the Negev and attacked and burned down Ziklag. They also had kidnapped the women and everyone in it from the youngest to the oldest. They had killed no one but had carried them off as they went on their way. When David and his men arrived at the town, they found it burned down. Their wives, sons, and daughters had been kidnapped” (1 Samuel 30:1-3 HCSB).

Just when David didn’t think his day could get any worse, he arrives back home to discover his home town burned down and all the wives and children had been kidnapped. But, it even got worse for the Bible says: “David was in a difficult position because the troops talked about stoning him, for they were all very bitter over the loss of their sons and daughters” (v. 6). Those who had been closest to him now talked of killing him.

What do you do in such a difficult situation? How do you survive and overcome? How do you break free? How do you find peace and a sense of security in the midst of mounting difficulties? The Bible gives us the only viable solution as we read: “David found strength in the Lord his God” (v. 6).

As his troubles continued to mount, David understood the ROCK upon which he could stand and it was there that his world would not be shaken. In the midst of chaos and confusion, trials and troubles, growing persecution and overwhelming complications, JESUS is the ROCK, Jesus is the SHELTER, Jesus is the DELIVERER who will carry you through to victory.

While we are not promised a life exempt from problems and difficulties, we are promised that “those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). There is no need to be overwhelmed by your mounting problems because the One who loves you will see you through to victory.

We are promised that “the LORD is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8). No matter how difficult your struggles may appear, the LORD promises to be right there beside you all the way. Even when He appears to be silent even absent, be at peace knowing that He remains right there ready to respond on your behalf at your moment of deepest need.

The Bible tells us: “David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken; he also rescued his two wives. Nothing of theirs was missing from the youngest to the oldest, including the sons and daughters, of all the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David got everything back” (vv. 18-19). While it definitely wasn’t the way David and his men would have liked for things to go, GOD ultimately showed up and strengthened their faith by giving them an overwhelming victory.

Things may not look real good for you right now? You may be facing enormous struggles and difficulties but trust that GOD will be there for you. He will show up when your strength begins to waver. His overwhelming power and might will manifest itself for you and He will carry you through to victory. When you think things just can’t get any worse, it’s a really good time to quit looking at the growing problems and focus upon the One who has the answers!

Scripture Reading: “My heart is confident, God; I will sing; I will sing praises with the whole of my being. Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn. I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your faithful love is higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches the clouds. God, be exalted above the heavens; let Your glory be over the whole earth. Save with Your right hand and answer me so that those You love may be rescued. God has spoken in His sanctuary: “I will triumph! I will divide up Shechem. I will apportion the Valley of Succoth. Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine, and Ephraim is My helmet; Judah is My scepter. Moab is My washbasin; on Edom I throw My sandal. Over Philistia I shout in triumph.” Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Have You not rejected us, God? God, You do not march out with our armies. Give us aid against the foe, for human help is worthless. With God we will perform valiantly; He will trample our foes.” (Psalm 108 HCSB)

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I am overwhelmed by my problems today. I so need to feel some relief. The enemy has battered me and beat me up. Please rescue me by Your great power. Set me free from these problems so I may dwell in Your peace and comfort. Help me, Lord, to see my struggles as a time for growth and then to utilize that new found growth and strength in my ongoing struggles of life. Help me to recognize that I am an overcomer today because You are my Lord and my GOD! I trust You today with all that I am…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!