Below is what I wrote the last week of 2019…

No one knows what is going to happen in 2020. There were probably some surprises in 2019 that you were unexpected. It will be the same in 2020. It could be the best year of your life, or you may face a challenge in your family, health, or finances.   What an understatement!!! World Pandemic, lockdowns, riots, no toilet paper, masks mandates, hospitals overrun…

So what about 2021?

Will it be a better year? We don’t know. However, it does not matter what we face if we face it with God’s blessing on our lives.  Let us prepare our hearts and minds to receive God’s blessing in 2021. It requires some action on our part. That is setting aside some time each day for God’s word and prayer. You might say, “OK, I will.” Putting it into practice will require some effort in the beginning.

Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

To be successful in 2021, develop a new spiritual habit. Choose to take in Godly Truth and meditate on it during the day. Reduce your time on daily news, Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of entertainment. You will soon begin to effect a change in your daily thinking and in your spirit. The supernatural power of God’s word creates HOPE and FAITH. All the blessings of God, the power of Christ’s sacrifice, and the leading of the Holy Spirit become active in your life through Hope and Faith. 

Prosper & Successful

Your choices in life will begin to prosper. I’m not talking financially, but in peace, love, relationships at home and work, protection from evil temptations, and right desires. Your life will prosper. And your finances will be in better hands with God’s blessing. You may not be aware of how much entertainment you are consuming. Become more balanced and blessed by adding God’s presence and His word to your life each day.

Psalms 1:1-3  

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. – (reaction) That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—  whatever they do prospers.

As 2021 comes close, you will be able to look back on the year and see what God’s Word daily can do in your mind, heart, relationships, priorities, and future.

Joshua 1:8 NIV

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! [4] Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.

Matthew 7:24-25 NLT

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. [25] Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise, and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

Fill your lightnside with truth and faith. God will bless you, and you will prosper in 2021. Happy New Year.

John 1:1,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (God with us.)

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It is important what we believe about Jesus.  

Below is a part of the Athanasian Creed. Read each statement and reflect on your belief in Jesus Christ.

It is necessary to everlasting salvation that we believe rightly the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

 For the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man. 

 God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and man of substance of His mother, born in the world.  

Perfect God and perfect man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.

 Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead, and inferior to the Father as touching His manhood.

 Who, although He is God and man, yet He is not two, but one Christ.

 One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of that manhood into God.

 For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ;

 Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead; He ascended into heaven; He sits on the right hand of the Father, God, Almighty;

Isaiah 9:6 Unto you, a child is born, unto you, a Son is given.

Christ becoming man has made God accessible to all Christians. Let your lightnside reflect the Christ in you this season.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;

Born vs Given. The two words have a vast difference in meaning.

Born – something that is a great and wonderful process but filled with stress, pain, struggle, wonder, weakness, miraculous, small, feeble, needy, giving, sacrifice.

Given – passed over to, not earned, from a place of compassion, to bless, a supply of plenty. Desire to share. Give to one unable to repay. Give to one unable to manufacture.

Christ chose to be born to mankind. Christ was God’s Son given to mankind. Meditate on these thoughts and come up with more of your own as the wonder of this truth floods your heart.

Born into darkness. God has given us a great light.
Born into limitations. God has given us the power to overcome.
Born into weakness and sickness. God has given us healing and power.
Born into bondage. God has given us a savior.
Born into temptations. God has given us the cross to overcome the power of sin.
Born into humankind’s emotions. God has given us an eternal priest who understands our life.
Born to dream and dread. God has given us a future and eternal hope.
Born to mature through pain. God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us.
Born to love and experience loss. God has given us eternity and joy.

Christ was born into our broken limited world so that we could become a part of His eternal, glorious world. Christ was given to humanity to die so that we can give Him our heart and live in His presence forever.

What will you do with this thought of birth and a gift?

Have you experienced Christ’s birth in your world? Have you taken hold of the gift of God’s son? Unto you, the Christ the Child was born. Unto you, the Son of God, was given. Let these holy words sink into your heart, mind, and soul this Christmas Season, and allow your lightnside to be merry and bright.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Sometimes we find ourselves in a place of darkness. It happens to us whether the national news or a personal situation comes in like a flood with a threat to destroy what was stable and trusting in our future. Suddenly, we find ourselves imagining the worst as we begin to morn the sudden change in security and future plans.

How do we handle sudden changes of direction? When we feel so out of control as if the secure foundations of our lives are suddenly removed. Maybe our darkness is a sign we trusted more than we should on earthly plans rather than trusting in God. Who knows, a sudden turn from a safe, enjoyable life may, in the long run, be the best for us to turn more toward faith in God and less on situations.

Jeremiah 29:11 is a very well known and quoted scripture. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This verse was written to the elders in Jerusalem who were taken captive to Babylon. They were in a dark place. But the Lord stated there is hope if the captives would look to God and seek Him in their captivity. God wanted them to hope even in a seemingly hopeless situation. God’s thoughts for the captive is peace and a future of hope. God has a desire to connect with His people. He wants to save them, but the captive must change their mindset from despair to hope, from our physical eyes to our spiritual eyes, from emotion to faith.

Hope and Faith

Regardless of how desperate a situation seems, there is still hope. Hebews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Our hope is anchored in Jesus. 1 Peter 3:15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lamentations 3:19-26
The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.
I will never forget this awful time as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin each morning afresh. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.

We must look beyond our immediate circumstances. We must look up to the source of our hope. “Lord help all who read this to look up to you in difficult times. Remind us to seek your face and call upon your goodness.

Let our lightnside burn bright and hopeful as we grow in the faith of God’s good desires for His people.

Ephesians 5:20 NIV “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Unusual thankfulness

Be thankful for pain – you were made aware of a medical issue.

Be thankful for trials – You become more dependent on faith in God. You become stronger and more patient. 

Be thankful for what you have. It heals the destructive sin of greed and jealousy.

Be thankful in troubled times; God is about to show up. Your hope and trust in God became stronger.

Help with Thankfulness

Thankfulness is not natural to humanity. Our nature is to be envious, to want more. Man’s nature is more inward rather than outward. However, with the Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives, a new nature is available. A new view of life will bring peace and joy to our homes, marriages, work, and even the ability to walk through tragic, difficult times and not grow bitter. The powerful influence that can dramatically impact your daily experience is the power of thankfulness. Put on thankfulness. Choose thankfulness. It is the Holy Spirit that helps us improve our daily attitude step by step, slowly moving you closer and closer to a genuinely joyful, thankful person.

A Thankful Treadmill

Ask God to “make” you more thankful, and He will provide a “spiritual thankful treadmill” for you to begin exercising with the Holy Spirit as a coach right beside you. The way you grow in godliness is not from an “instant miracle ” from God, but rather you become a participant of the process through daily repentance, listening as the Holy Spirit coaches you into looking at the world and its problems in a new light. As you continue using the thanksgiving treadmill, you begin to be more thankful for all the things you missed before. The Holy Spirit is transforming your spirit into being joyful and thankful in all things.

Start this week, even today, to be thankful for things you would typically make you frustrated or upset. Tell someone each day you are thankful for them, even the difficult ones. They are helping you mature in your walk with God.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 NIV Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. [19]

Ephesians 5:15-20 NIV Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“ahem,”…thank you for reading this blog!

Now, let your lightnside shine bright, fueled with thankfulness.

Psalms 73:2-3 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.  For I envied the proud  when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

“Life is unfair!” “How do people get away with doing wrong?”, “Why doesn’t God do something?” “My life is difficult, and I am trying to do what is right, but those who enjoy sin seem to have so much fun!” 

Sound familiar? Maybe you have not said it out loud to others, but inside there is a building pressure of frustration. I find myself in that place right now!

As I reflect on my “not fair” feelings, the Scriptures remind me that I am not alone. Scripture also gives me direction and understanding. Let me list a few scriptures.

I almost slipped…

Psalms 73 describes this “unfair” feeling as we observe the lost and sinful people seem to have pleasure, laughter, and no consequence. Notice the psalmist states he almost loses his footing in God. Read verses 1-16 to understand his full complaint. The psalmist is in a really frustrating place.

Then he walks into the sanctuary,…everything changes. 

The presence of God is there, and in his spirit, God reminds him of the destination of sinners. The psalmist understands how great God is and nothing escapes Him. Read the words of God’s goodness in verses 18-26. The psalmist ends the chapter with these verses. 27 Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. 28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

In the last days…

2 Timothy 3:1-5 1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

I believe we are in the last days. God tells us to stay strong in the Lord. 

Four elements transform frustration into hope.

Pursue truth and righteousness. Know that the days will be difficult, but God is with us. All this means is Jesus is coming soon. He will set all things right. He will return righteousness to the world. Paul describes his focus in difficult times to Timothy. Verse 10 “But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.” 

Are you having a difficult time? Are you looking around and have the feeling “it’s not fair?” The solution is to walk into your church. God’s presence will fill your spirit, and you will understand that God is in full control. Know that we are in the last days, and the lawless one is infecting all society. Be strong in the Lord. Increase faith, patience, love, and endurance. Let us follow his example and keep our lightnside shining bright. 

Today we vote for a president. I have already voted, and I hope you have or will today. This nation is great and established by God. One nation under God. We have fallen away from God’s presence. I feel there is a push to return to Godly guidance. As more of God’s people seek God and repent, God will hear and heal our land. (2 CHronicles 7:14.) I pray for a revival in our land to reach the hearts of our people.

The government cannot save us. Only God can save us.

Meditate on Psalms 146 today as we vote.

Praise the Lord!

1   Let all that I am praise the Lord.

2     I will praise the Lord as long as I live.    I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.

3 Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;    there is no help for you there. 4 When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,    and all their plans die with them. 5 But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper,    whose hope is in the Lord their God.

6 He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever.

7 He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners.

8     The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly.

9 The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

10 The Lord will reign forever. He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations.

VOTE Today!

And no matter who get’s elected,

let your lightnside

Praise the Lord!

Galatians 5:19-26

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Can man change his nature?

Many use the new year to try and create a new person. People do recognize the poor qualities in their life, so there is a constant effort to renew, change, to get rid of past failures. The problem is this sinful nature is embedded in us all at birth because of orginal sin from Adam and Eve. It is called the works of the flesh. These are built-in desires and emotions that peruse self-worship, desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. These cannot be removed or covered up. You might be able to overcome their effects in your life by a focused daily routine, but they are still there, and in times of pressure, they will return with force. You do not have to teach a baby to be self-absorbed. You never have to teach a young child to say “no.” These fleshly desires are deeply embedded in all of us.   

Divine Help 

What is needed is a new nature. The need is for something more powerful than our worldly nature to come and live inside us to battle against this nature and give us hope and peace. When we give God our life, He plants into our heart, His Divine Fruit of the Spirit. This power is greater than our sinful nature and is at work, freeing us from the power of sin. The more we seek God, read His word, worship, and pray, the more powerful this fruit expands in our spirit and nature. We will not be perfect when this happens but are progressively changed to become more like Jesus.  

What if I still battle some sins?

One of the most significant words in this passage about living the worldly nature is found in verse 21. Paul writes, “those who practice such things will not inherit eternal life (KJV).” The NIV says “who live like this“, and the NLT says “anyone living that sort of life.” I like the word practice. When you receive Christ, and He begins a new work in you, you may slip up and fall back into one of your past sins. This is not practicing that nature. It is a mistake. The Christian will feel conviction and repent as the Holy Spirit helps him battle this old pattern. He is not practicing the sin, but instead fighting with human nature. Grace in sanctification is a ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. We will not be free from this battle until we are transformed at death or the resurrection.  

As the Fruit of the Spirit grows in us, there is a continued transformation becoming more like Christ. More peace, love, gentleness, self-control, and kindness as your lightnside shines out to the world.

Verse 1-3  Almighty

The Lord is king!  Let the earth rejoice!  Let the farthest coastlands be glad. Dark clouds surround him.  Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire spreads ahead of him and burns up all his foes.

In times of darkness and doubt, we have an almighty God who is king over all creation.  His foundation is built upon righteousness and justice.  There can be no covering of His truth.  No media can darken His justice.  He sees all and is above all.  God is above all powers that seem strong on the earth.  Know, the Lord is King.  He is righteous and just.

 Verse 4-6  Power

His lightning flashes out across the world.  The earth sees and trembles.  The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,  before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness; every nation sees his glory.

As you look up toward the distant stars and the glorious majesty of the heavens, remember, God spoke them into existence. He sustains moment by moment all creation by His presence.  All creation, no matter how strong and majestic it looks to us, is like melting wax in the presence of God.  His creation glorifies Him.  The beauty and balance of creation and animal life cycles proclaim His might, wisdom, and righteousness above all knowledge.

Verse 7-9  Above all powers

Those who worship idols are disgraced.  All who brag about their worthless gods: for every god must bow to Him. Jerusalem has heard and rejoiced,  and all the towns of Judah are glad because of your justice, O Lord! For you, O Lord, are supreme over all the earth;  you are exalted far above all gods.

All who oppose God and truth will one day bow before Him and proclaim He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  All who oppose God will be humbled.  While the darkness seems so strong, they are nothing but a passing cloud before God.  All darkness will be destroyed.  All hidden things will be revealed. Let us know and be convinced that nothing is hidden before God.

Verse 10-12   God Rescues and restores.

You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of the godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whos hearts are right. May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord and praise his holy name.

God is at work in the lives of all who love Him.  God is at work to rescue His people from the power of the wicked.  You may feel trapped and overwhelmed by the power of those who lie and clothe themselves with man’s power.  God is at work to rescue you.  Remember, His Light shines on the righteous.  Allow His joy to flood your heart as you rejoice in His Holy Name.

Meditate on these truths

The Lord is King!  He will never be put out of power.  Let this Psalms 97 make your lightnside shine bright with hope and eternal knowledge.

Philippians 3:13  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.

The past isn’t always easy to forget. Whether it’s a success or failure, the past can take hold of our minds in the present day. Bitterness or dreaming of days gone by are mostly caused by looking and focusing on the past. Some of us have wrestled with words spoken to us by another who may not have intended to harm, but we may have misjudged their original intent and kept harmful words attacking our looks, talk, and acceptance.

Do you have words or events from the past that have defined some personal self-evaluation causing you to withdraw from a Biblical Truth or restrict your confidence in yourself? Most of us have these past issues. 

Today, this scripture is a turning point to free us from past bondage and refocus toward the now and future. Easy to say, hard to do.

Forgetting what is behind

“When Paul says that he forgets what lies behind, he refers to a forgetting which is no mere passing effort; it is active obliteration so that when any harmful thought of the past would occur, it would be banished from our mind. It is a constant, deliberate discarding of any harmful thought of the past. Forgetting is stronger in Greek. It means to ‘completely forget.’ To translate Pauls words, “I, in fact, am forgetting completely the things that are behind.”

F.B. Meyer wrote, “learn to forget and do not dwell upon past sin.” He explained, “There may be things in our past of which we are ashamed, that might haunt us. But if we have handed them over to God in confession and faith, He has put them away and forgotten them.” “So you forget them and the sin which blackened your record and reach forward to realize the beauty of Jesus.”

“Forgetting” is a present, active word

Forgetting is not a one time task. It is part of putting on the whole armor of God including the Helmet of Salvation (mind), the shield of faith (against the devil’s attacks about the past), and the sword of the spirit (the power you have through the Holy Spirit to rebuke the enemy. Ephesians 6:10-17 

Moving forward in faith

Straining or reaching forward should be the healthy focus of all Christians. You cannot change the past, but the future is wide open for you. What are you striving for? Where in the future do you feel God is taking you? There are five characteristics of forward-moving Christians.

• They know where they are going.
• They have a sense of God’s call on their life.
• They understand the purpose of their life.
• They focus on God and God-given goals.
• They choose wisely from their options to move toward their goal.

Do you know Christ as your savior? If not, you are missing out on the blessings of His forgiveness and peace. You are also missing out on the help of the Holy Spirit to help guide your path. Most important, when you die, you will be missing heaven and be lost in torment without God forever.

Today, right now is the time to decide you are moving forward with Christ, God, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible. It all starts by calling out to Jesus and asking Him to be your savior. Tell Him you have sinned, and you want to repent. Tell Jesus you believe He is the Son of God who has died for you. Ask Him to come into your life right now. Tell Jesus you will follow Him for the rest of your life. If you prayed this prayer, I know you are feeling a new peace in your heart. You have a new lightnside to light your path. The next step forward is to find a church with good worship and strong preaching. 

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Part of this blog comes from the book ‘Loving God with all your mind’ – Elizabeth George