Promised

THE TOP TEN PREDICTIONS FOR 2017

1. The Bible will still have the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

I use these same predictions every year, and know they're true because they are promised in the Bible.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows  - James 1:17

Always remember that God never changes! Let's make changes in our lives this year to grow and be more like Jesus. Amen?

Obey and Grow

Here we are starting a new year! With it brings new beginnings and opportunities. It can be a fresh slate for our lives in some respects. For some of us it means doing new things for God. For others maybe it means returning to God’s ways. Let’s look at Matthew 2:19-23 today, and see Jesus’ family returning home, back to Israel and God’s people.

    19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to theland of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Today spend some time looking back. Feel good about Godly accomplishments from last year. Thank and praise God for His provision and direction. We must also look at areas where we were not obedient. Praise and thank God for His forgiveness!

Spend time in prayer listening for His direction and will for your life. He has a special plan and purpose for all of us. Let’s make this year a great one for God. Amen?

Savior Sent

God's cleansing forgiveness is better than Tide, Oxi-Clean and Shout all put together. For the stain of sin on our souls was worse than any dirt, grease, or earthly grime to ever soil our clothing. We need Jesus!  We are told of in Isaiah 1:18; Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." (ESV)

If our greatest need had been information,

God would have sent us an educator,

If our greatest need had been technology,

God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been money,

God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure,

God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need was forgiveness,

So God sent us a Savior.

Amen?

Life’s Storms

The Lord promises to calm life’s storms that rage around us. Sometimes He chooses to calm the storm and sometimes the storm continues but He will calm us. An example of this is found in God's Word that says in Jonah 1:16, "At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to Him."

These men were about to lose their lives and then God calmed the storm. A great lesson is to be learned here - you don't have to wait till things get so out of control to call on the Lord!

He is always there and waiting for us to give Him control. May we release and rejoice at His protection and direction.

Amen?

Be Blessed

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior you are blessed, and God has promised His presence, protection, and joy. God's Word says in Psalm 5:12, "For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." A definition of a shield is to protect (someone or something), to serve as a protection for, and to hide or conceal for protection.

Too many people try to fix and “handle” things on their own. When we approach life this way then we shouldn’t be surprised by failure and frustration. Remember this:

1. You are never alone, and the Lord wants to stay in constant communication with you.

2. Believers are in God’s hand, and nothing can remove them.

3. Being joyful always is a command, not a suggestion.

Let’s be serious about accepting God’s promises. Amen?

Restored

Don’t end the year feeling that you have disappointed the Lord, and He’s not listening to you. A child of God can always ask for forgiveness and they will be forgiven. God's Word says in Psalm 6:9, "The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer."

Today ask God to forgive you where you have fallen short. His promise is true for forgiveness and restoration, End this year with a clean slate. Then allow Him to guide you in 2017 in obedience.

Amen?

Celebrate Light

 This winter season has already started out with so many people being sick, and the threat of the disease is very real. We need to remember during these trying and frightening times that Jesus brought forth light into the darkness. Almost 100 years ago we faced similar conditions, but then, as now, we can celebrate Jesus as the light of the world.

 This was plainly seen by thousands of people during the American influenza epidemic of 1918. During the height of that plague, churches and all public gathering places were ordered closed. Yet more than ever, it was then that people needed hope and consolation. Burdened by his inability to reach out to people in their time of need, one resourceful pastor thought of the magnificent stained glass windows that graced his church. Those windows faced a major thoroughfare and were large and commanding in design. He had numerous floodlights placed inside the church; illumination through the glass to the outside world gave passers-by the full effect of the windows story. There for all to see were the matchless portrayals of Jesus: Jesus the good shepherd bearing a lamb on his bosom; Jesus the searching Savior rescuing the lone lost sheep while the ninety-nine rested safely on the fold; Jesus praying in Gethsemane; Jesus on the cross; Jesus triumphant in Resurrection glory. The silent sermons of light and stained glass spoke an eloquent message.

The Gospel of John puts it this way: The true light that gives light of every man was coming into the world. People who passed by the church would stop reverently, silently. They found themselves filled with new resolve and encouragement. They saw ever more clearly in that age of sickness the light of Christ glory which was coming into the world.

 May celebrate Christ every day of the year. Amen?