Happy New Year!

Let us resolve this year not to make resolutions that we have no intention of keeping.  Let us instead ask our Holy Father to help us to become what He already knows we are.  Let us grow in grace in 2011.  Let us put away those childish things in 2011.  Let us rally around one another and build each other up in 2011.

Unity among believers will bring about change in this world.  We have to cross denominational, cultural, racial, and socio-economic barriers.  Let us chase God together, and search for Him with all of our hearts.  I realize that different people prefer different things in their worship services, but that should not prevent us from encouraging one another.  Why not invite believers of different races, cultures, and denominations to your church in 2011?  Why not accept invitations to their churches?

Heaven is not going to have the segregations that we have developed here on earth.  In Ephesians 4:4-6 (KJV), we are told: "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."  Let's get it together in 2011!

God's Love is Complete

There is no greater love than God's.  He sent His only son to Earth to die in order to redeem unworthy people such as ourselves.  Only Jesus Christ's sacrifice could atone for the sins of the world.  He knew He was born to die; He volunteered for the assignment.  Oh, what love!

Everything we need today is available in that love.  As Christmas approaches, let us reflect on the fact that God's love is complete.  His mercy, His grace, His compassion, His guidance, His provision, His comfort, and His peace are all inside that love.  God's love does not discriminate, nor is it reserved just for the saved.  God's love, the same love we are to imitate, is offered to all.

Receive God's love today.  He sent His Son to bring you back to Him.  Celebrate Jesus this Christmas season.  I invite you to take some extra time this Christmas to thank God for allowing Jesus to be born into this world to manifest God's love to us, knowing that Jesus would die if He did.  This story, however, will be continued on Easter............

Focus on What Matters

I am thinking about how much time and energy we waste on crap we absolutely cannot control.  There are things in life that are important that we often neglect like family, friends, and our relationship with God.  We must stop dwelling on what other people are saying and doing around us and to us.  These people don't wake us up in the morning, nor do they provide brand new mercies each day for us.  Sure, sometimes malicious words hurt us and cause us to be skeptical of certain people.  We cannot, however, control those people.  Let them be who they are, and let others see them for who they really are..... without our help.  We don't need to talk about them or slander their names.  Let them prove their own worth, or lack thereof.

Our goal is to see people through the eyes of the Almighty.  What makes us think that we're so holy that we don't need grace just like the next person?  He loves ALL of us, no matter what our sins may be.  Let's focus on that love today.  We can receive it and share it.  God's love is not diminished because it is shared.  We don't have to be "buddy-buddy" with people we would rather not associate with, but we must love them.  Just because someone has abused your trust and betrayed you does not give you the right to hate them.  We all have a past, and all our pasts are not pretty.

There are good qualities in everyone that we can focus our energies on.  Stop looking at and looking for the negative in people.  Choose to see the good in people.  Focus on that, and stop hating on them for their faults.  With God's help, we can see people through His eyes, and see the redemptive work of Christ on their lives.  Focus on what matters!

Stand Still (on Good Ground)

2 Chronicles 20:17 (King James Version) Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

I find it comforting that all I need to do is stand still, and watch God work.  He doesn't tell me to run away and live to fight another day.  He tells me that I won't even need to fight in this battle; just stand there.  Let people talk about me, let them slander my name, let them rise up against me.  I will not fear, nor will I be dismayed, for the Lord is with me!

"Stand ye still" - What are you standing for?  I'm standing for holiness, righteousness, compassion, love, peace, mercy, goodness, faith, and the like.  If I stand on those values which God values, then I have the assurance that I won't be moved.  My enemies will flee from me as I continue to STAND on the Word of God.  You won't be able to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord if the ground you're standing on is gossip and slander.  If you feel restless, nervous, and fearful about the situation you are facing, look down at the ground you're standing on.  Is it sand or the Solid Rock?

I won't let the enemy chase me away from my God-given purpose, will you?  STAND STILL.  SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.  I like that plan.