Food for Thought…

Probably the most famous book in the world is The Holy Bible.  Of course, all Christians know about It.  But so do the unbelievers.  The agnostics and atheists either dispute or deny the Bible.  And other religions replace It.  But all of them are aware of It.

The unbelievers’ opinion of the Bible is that it is merely one of the millions of books in the world.  For the carnal Christian, it is a nice book that helps them feel good about themselves.  But to the dedicated Christian believers, it is God’s divine revelation of truth and their only rule of faith and practice. 

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we appreciate the Bible, we respect It and we believe what It says.  When we need answers, the Bible is the first place we look.  We have made the Bible our only source for truth and our guidance for living.  But It is more than that.  It is also enjoyable. 

In our “daily grind”, sometimes we may forget or get talked out of taking the time to simply read the Bible for pleasure.  We don’t always need to be in a dilemma to open the book.  Reading the Bible any time uplifts, inspires, edifies, and heals us. 

 Old Testament accounts are not only educational, but they are also inspirational and enjoyable.  To cite all my favorite OT accounts would fill this page and more.  How exciting is the account of David and Goliath?  What about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?  Think about Gideon, Hezekiah, and Solomon.  What great examples they set!  Do you smile when you read about Balaam’s donkey or blind Ahijah recognizing the king’s wife who was so disguised that no sighted person recognized her? 

One of my favorite accounts is Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal.  I laugh every time I read about Elijah mocking them to cry louder to their god because he might be busy or traveling or asleep.  Then I cheer when Elijah prays and God answers him in spectacular fashion! 

These are just a few examples of enjoyable records we can read.

The accounts in the Old Testament are true historical records. And they are examples of what people can do with God’s help.  I doubt in this day and time that I have to worry about being thrown into a den of lions.  But if that happened, I have the example of Daniel’s believing, which I could imitate. 

I call the Book of Psalms, the book of comforts.  Reading Psalms brings immense peace to our souls in any situation, even good ones.  The psalms are my go-to read when I’m down, but they are also enjoyable anytime.  How could you not be blessed when you read…

Psalm 16:11 – Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Or Psalm 94:19 – In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

There is much enjoyment in all 150 psalms. 

The New Testament is equally exciting.  The four gospels chronicle the life of our savior, Jesus Christ here on earth. And anything we read about our savior uplifts our hearts.  How many times have you read Luke, chapter 2 about the night Jesus was born?  It’s a delightfully enjoyable record.  And I just love that the account is recited in the show, A Charlie Brown Christmas. 

Some other records that I love to read in the gospels are the accounts of the resurrection.  I often try to imagine myself being there.  Talk about being lifted from the depths of despair to the heights of joy!

Then we have the book, The Acts of the Apostles.  Acts begins with the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven.  And that is followed by the record of the original outpouring of the holy spirit on the day of Pentecost. This was the first time anyone got born again.  I marvel at Peter’s sermon, especially since he was behind closed doors for fear of the Jews just days before.  And imagine being part of a gathering where about three thousand people got born again in one day! How exciting that must have been!

What about Paul and Silas?  They were beaten and imprisoned for spreading the Word of God in Philippi.  And while in prison with their feet fastened in the stocks, they prayed and sang praises unto God.  Then an earthquake just happened to occur (wink wink) and freed them and they went home with the jailer and preached God’s Word to him and his family who all got born again!  The next day, the magistrates sent word to let Paul and Silas go, but Paul said, “Oh no -we’re not leaving until they come get us because we’re Romans, and they beat us and put us in prison without a trial, and according to the Roman law, they should receive exactly what they gave. So let them come get us themselves.” (paraphrased)  Those magistrates must have been shaking in their boots!  I picture them groveling at Paul and Silas’s feet begging them to leave quietly.   Paul and Silas triumphantly walked out of that prison and went to visit the believers before they left town.  I bet they told their story over and over everywhere they went.  I can picture everyone having a good laugh about those magistrates. 

The rest of the New Testament includes the epistles or letters of Paul, Peter, John and some others.  These books are filled with all the instructions we need to live the super abundant life that Jesus Christ made available to us.  Not only do these letters instruct us in the way of God more perfectly, but they also tell us of all the marvelous benefits we have as sons of God.  How could you not enjoy reading that you are more than a conqueror, or that you have all sufficiency in all things, or that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you?  What could be more enjoyable than hearing God’s constant affirmation of His eternal love for you?  Do you ever tire of reading Ephesians or the epistles of John? 

Perhaps one of the most comforting sections of all is 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4 about Christ’s coming to gather us believers together unto heaven. 

1 Thessalonians 4:17 – Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Reading those words is the ultimate comfort and joy!

The whole Bible is full of wonderful words that encourage us, edify us, exhort us and comfort us.  They are the words of life.  They are God’s words!  Why not think of the Bible like your best friend.  We go to our best friends in time of need for sure.  But we also just talk with them about everything. We like to hear what they have to say.  We respect their advice.  We enjoy their company.  When we enjoy the Bible, we are enjoying God’s company.  We are hearing what He has to say.  We’re getting God’s advice.  It is indeed an enjoyable privilege!

So, don’t let your busy day rob you of one of life’s greatest pleasures – receiving words from your Heavenly Father.  Open your Bible for the sheer enjoyment that It brings.  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by reading God’s Word as often as you can. 

Note to my readers:  Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy reading your Bible.  And thanks for reading my little blog too. 

(This post is more of a Bible teaching than my usual posts.  It is taken from something that I shared with my fellowship and I thought might bless you too.  So, here goes…)

I had a Bible teacher who used to call problems, “opportunities”.  Because, as he said, “Every problem is an opportunity to believe God and see His promises in action”.  At first, I thought this was an overly optimistic idea.  Calling problems by another name doesn’t make them better.  But, as I grew in my understanding of God’s Word, I began to comprehend what my teacher meant by his statement. 

First of all, we must recognize that problems come from the world, not from God.  Never from God.  So why should we, as born-again sons of God, accept the problems that the world dishes out?  We are in this world, but we are not of this world. We do not have to conform to the world’s way of thinking.  Worldly people accept problems as ‘just part of life’. But we don’t have to!  Yes, we may have problems in our lives, but we don’t need to accept them as inevitable, because God is stronger than the worst problem the world can throw at us!  And since we have God in Christ in us (Colossians 1:27) – we have God’s strength in us, and we can overcome whatever BS the world sends our way! 

1 John 4:4 – Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  This might be a familiar verse to a lot of us, but we should not take it for granted.  We must believe that this verse is true, because it is.  Christ in us IS greater than the adversary who is in the world.  And not only is God in Christ in us more powerful than the devil, but Christ in us also gives us the same authority over the devil that Jesus Christ has.

Colossians 2:15 – AMP

 When he (Jesus Christ) had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], he made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in his triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through the cross.

We have that same ability and authority to disarm and defeat our spiritual enemies.  We can parade them as our captives in our own triumphal procession because we are identified with Christ. (Remember John 14:12 – the works that I do, shall ye do also, and greater works…?)  We have all the ability that Christ had on earth because God gave it to us when we got saved. 

John 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

The devil is out to rob us, hurt us and if possible, ruin our lives.  That is his mission.  BUT he has NO legal right to do any of those things.  Jesus Christ already defeated him, and we share in that victory.

That being said, there are still times that sons of God get tricked, or times they may give in or quit.  At those times, it might look like the adversary is winning.  And he will eagerly take credit for that!  But he can ONLY win if we as God’s sons allow it.  And there is a big difference between  winning because you won and winning because your opponent let you win.  The devil cannot win unless let him.  Make up your mind that you will NOT let him win!

The thief is always lurking around and looking for a chance to do his dirty work.  We may not be able to stop his lurking, but we have the right and the power to kick his butt and send him packing if he tries to pull any of his stunts on us. 

John 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:  Does the verse end there??  NO!!   The second part says:

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

That is Jesus Christ talking.  And who is in us?  Christ in us the hope of glory!  The second part of this verse totally overrides the first part, grammatically and in practice. 

What Jesus Christ accomplished was so magnanimous that not only can we outwit the schemes of the adversary, but we can also triumph over them so much so that we can live a super abundant life in every single category of living. 

The Greek word for “life” in John 10:10 is zoe – which means life in all of its manifestations.  We can be abundant in every manifestation of living.  Not just some or even most, but EVERY LAST ONE!  And that includes our weakest traits.  Just because we may not be strong in some category, or even if we’ve failed many times in some category, that in no wise diminishes the power that we have as sons of God.  We just need to understand and/or remember the power we have and use it. 

So, we know that the more than abundant life is the truth of God’s Word.  However, we may not be living it in some category right now.  Does that make this verse untrue?  Of course not!  So, what’s the answer?

Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We must control our thinking.

The word prove in this verse means to examine or test for authenticity.  What are we supposed to prove? It says, “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” God is saying, “Go ahead, put my will to the test to see if it’s genuine. Try it out.  Scrutinize it.  See for yourself.”

And where do we find that perfect will of God?  In His Word.  The Word of God reveals the Will of God, just like our words reveal what we want known. 

How do we prove God’s Will?  By renewing our minds and transforming ourselves into new creatures that are no longer conformed to the confines of this evil world.

And how do we renew our minds?  By changing our thinking to align with what God’s Word says and acting accordingly.  We change our mind’s diet.  We feed ourselves the truth of God’s Word and avoid the detrimental sustenance that the world lives on.  It’s a lifelong endeavor. It’s not just one and done.  We must continually feed on God’s Word.  And if worldly thoughts creep in, we must crush them with the truth. 

Look at Romans 8:18

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Nothing unpleasant that happens in this life will matter one bit after Christ comes back to gather us together!  And as far as I understand, we won’t even remember this junk.  So, why not think about our problems in those terms.  For example, we can say, “Yes, this problem sucks.  I hate it.  BUT, compared to the glorious liberty of sons of God, it is just a minor inconvenience.  The love, joy and peace of God totally overshadow this circumstance.  And I know that I will live forever with God and His son Christ Jesus.  So this problem right now is but a grain of sand compared to all the glorious beaches of eternity!” 

Here’s another idea.  We can heed the advice I heard in a teaching once, “When something goes wrong, don’t ask, why is this happening?  Instead ask, what amazing thing is God going to do for me now?”

Jeremiah 32:17 – Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

This is just one of the many verses that help us see Who God truly is and what He can and will do for us.  It is one of my very favorite verses. 

Find your favorite verses and fill your mind with their truth.  And should negative thoughts creep in, allow that truth to burn white hot and disintegrate those stupid worldly thoughts before they can take root.  And when we do that, our problems will absolutely become wonderfully successful opportunities to see God’s promises in action!

Note to my readers:  God is able to turn any problem into a victory.  And our ultimate victory is absolutely guaranteed. There is no problem on earth that can stop us from going to heaven! 

Thanks for reading.

These words are taken from Psalm 46:10 which says, “Be still, and know that I am God:”.  This verse is probably familiar to a lot of us.  It’s a favorite to put on Christian pictures and notebook covers.  I am always blessed to see Bible verses being widely published, but that also poses the risk that they become cliché.  And I think that might be the case for this verse.  I have seen it referenced many times by using only the words, “Be Still”.  Although we may recognize that those words come from this verse, we may just say them without really considering them.

So, let’s consider them now…

“Be still” means to relax, chill out, let it go, don’t worry.  Sometimes in life, we are presented with situations outside our control.   Maybe we lose our job, get sick or suffer a loss.  These things happen and we cannot always prevent them.  But how we respond to these events will determine their impact on our lives.  Do these situations fill us with anxiety?  Are we overwhelmed with fear?  Do we feel like there is no hope?  All of those attitudes work against our efforts to obtain a positive outcome.  And that is why the Bible tells us to “be still”.  This verse is saying, “Do not give in to any of those defeating thoughts, let them go!”

Letting go of negative thoughts requires effort on our part.  The world has conditioned us to think negative thoughts.  Consequently, positive thoughts are not always our first response or an easy reaction.  We must change that habit.  And the Bible gives us the true words we need to accomplish that change.  When we align our thoughts with what the Bible says, we will receive the benefits that the Bible promises. 

“Be still, relax. God’s got this! Whatever is bothering you, He can handle it.”  When this is our heart’s conviction, we will be at peace.  We can rest assured that God will take care of us no matter what we are facing.  We can be calm whatever the storm.

I want to add something here.  As Bible students, we often look at the Hebrew or Greek words from which our English Bibles were translated.  The Hebrew word for “Be still” in Psalm 46:10, can also mean to abandon or forsake.  Thus, in essence this verse means that being still happens when we abandon our worries and forsake our fears.  This Hebrew word is also used in other verses that say that God never forsakes us nor ever abandons us.  From this, we can deduce that we are able to forsake our fears because God never forsakes us!  And when our fears are forsaken, we will be still.  Isn’t that beautiful?

That makes the next part of Psalm 46:10 even more meaningful.  “And know that I am God.”  We can be still because we know that God is the Almighty God.  He is the loving Father.  He is the one and only true God.  He is all knowing, all powerful, all giving, all gracious and all loving.  By His power alone were the heavens and the earth created.  If He could do that, is there anything He can’t do for us?  And God created the heavens and the earth specifically for His children.  Would He withhold any good thing from us now after going to all that trouble? 

When we know that we know God, He will be a very present reality in our lives so that we can be still.  Those who do not know God, cannot be still because they are counting on their own limited abilities, which are not always dependable.  God’s abilities are a solid rock, but people’s abilities are a slippery slope.

How do we get to know God?  The same way we get to know anyone – through communication and experience.  We have various levels of communication with many people in our lives. For instance; with acquaintances, we have polite conversations.  With friends, our dialog centers around our common interests.  With very close friends, we share more intimate conversations.  And with family, we can bear our souls.  What level of communication do you have with God?  Is it polite conversation?  Or do you bear your soul before Him? 

Think about a special friend or loved one in your life.  How did they become so special to you?  Initially, it was because there was something about that person that caught your attention.  Then, you took the time to get to know them.  You talked, shared stories and enjoyed each other’s company.  Your relationship developed because of mutual interests and like-minded opinions.  Your care and affection grew as you spent time together.  You allowed that person into your life, and they allowed you into theirs.  You weathered storms together, supported each other, and prioritized one another. 

What about God?  Is He special to you?  Do you talk to Him and spend time with Him?  Do you allow Him into your world?  Is He a priority in your life?

God knows our deepest thoughts and all our secrets, whether we voice them or not.  There is nothing hidden from Him.  And He loves us anyway!  So, there is no reason whatsoever to be reluctant to approach Him.  He continually offers His heart to us.  But do we seek His counsel?  Do we want to hear what He has to say?  Do we want to know Him better and better?

Yes!  Yes!  And yes!  We want God in our lives.  There is nothing more worthwhile than having a close personal relationship with our Heavenly Father.  God reveals Himself to us through His Word (the Bible) and through the gift of holy spirit that we got when we were born again.  God makes Himself available to help us in any and every situation.  When we ask, He answers.  When we need Him, He is ready, willing and able to help us.  He never leaves us nor forsakes us!  God chose us before the foundation of the world to be His children.  He made the first move. Now it’s up to us to continue to build our relationship with Him. 

Make God special in your life.  Talk to Him.  Spend time with Him.  Give Him priority over all worldly distractions and hinderances.  Trust Him.  Allow Him to demonstrate His love to you.  And when you do, you will be still because you will know God. 

Note to my readers:  Getting to know God is a lifelong endeavor that brings us exceptional joy!  Thanks for reading! 

“Life is full of ups and downs”.  This is a very familiar saying and probably one to which we can all relate.  But recently, I heard a Bible teaching that challenged this saying, and that premise really blessed me.  So, I thought it might bless you too. 

Life can be messy as we know.  And there is no doubt that it has its ups and downs.  The world is unkind, and it often seems to delight in tearing people down.  Have you ever been “flying high” and suddenly something (or everything) went wrong?  The world loves throwing monkey-wrenches into our celebrations.  And generally, people’s reaction is, “Oh well. That’s just how things go sometimes”, hence the saying being so familiar.  The world’s modus operandi is to raise people up just to knock them down.  God on the other hand, takes people from the lowest pit and raises them up to glory.  And He continues to provide His children with “ups” that the world just can’t comprehend. 

The Bible says that before we were born again, we had no hope and were without God in the world.  (Ephesians 2:12)  But God made us alive, raised us up and seated us in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus.  (Ephesians 2:5 and 6)  That is a pretty big up!  And it sets the pattern for all our downs and ups.  We start out being down in the world and God raises us up.  And with God, the end result is always UP! 

The world is not going to change.  If anything, it will grow worse.  So, are we relegated to going with the flow and accepting the wrongs the world gives us?  Absolutely not!  God gives us solutions.  He delivers us from worldly traps.  He makes a way where there is no way.  When the world drags us down, God pulls us up. 

There are many verses that talk about our strength, our freedom, our rights, and our guaranteed victory with God.  These verses edify and encourage us, so that we can remain strong in adversity.  They also remind us that the world opposes the things of God.

For example:

Romans 8:37 – Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

This is one of my favorite verses.  From the first time I heard it, I believed its promise that I could be a super-conqueror.  But it took a while for me to realize that being a super-conqueror necessitated that there was something that needed conquering.  The world is full of things that oppose us as Christians, and any one of them could knock us down.  But God gave us this upward promise of being “more than conquerors” so that we would know that even when the chips are down, He provides an up. 

Galatians 5:1 tells us to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ made us free.  We wouldn’t need liberty if there weren’t things in the world that seek to enslave us.  But God freed us from the world’s enslavement and seated us UP above the world’s commotion.  How about Ephesians chapter 6 that tells us to put on the whole armor of God.  We wouldn’t need armor if we weren’t in a battle.  And we wouldn’t be in a battle if we didn’t have an enemy.  And that enemy is pulling the strings in the world today.  But God gave us the victory over him through the finished works of Jesus Christ.   (And just an aside; When God says things like “stand fast” or “put on” we must remember that He never asks us to do anything that we can’t do.  And everything that God asks us to do is for our benefit.)

Does the world’s opposition diminish God’s power in any way?  Can anything the world throws at us, keep God from fulfilling His promises?  The answer to those questions is a resounding NO!  Our God is the Almighty God, Who created the heavens and the earth, and Who is our Father. He has made exceeding great and precious promises to us.  He has sworn to never leave us nor forsake us.  His ear is always open to our prayer.  And His compassions never fail.  He is all love and all light.  He gave His only begotten son so that we could be saved and become His children.  Don’t you think God wants the best for His kids?  Don’t you think God will fight for His kids?  Of course, He does and He will!  God’s love for us is unfathomable.  He would move heaven and earth for us if He needed to. And because of His undying love for us, God has promised us the ultimate victory – our enemy’s total annihilation and our future securely in God’s presence with Christ Jesus for all eternity.  Nothing in this life can stop us from attaining this victorious UP, not even death. 

God’s Word is jammed packed with knowledge about all that God has given us and all that He has done and will do for us.  The Scriptures lift us up far beyond anything the world could offer.  Here are a few verses that I remind myself of every day:

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Romans 8:18 – For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Isaiah 40:31 – But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

For the people of this world, life has its ups and downs.  But for God’s children, life has its downs and ups!  Whatever the world throws at us; God can fix.  Whenever we get knocked down; God can pick us up and set our feet on solid ground.  Whenever we feel like quitting; God has the resources to turn our lives around.  We may not be able to avoid every down.  But we can always, always, always count on God for a glorious UP. 

Note to my readers:  I’m not suggesting that we rewrite the old saying.  It has such a familiar cadence.  But why not think of our lives in terms of downs and ups?  Because truly, God’s marvelous ups are ready and waiting for us whenever we ask. 

2 Corinthians 2:14 – Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…   

The common definition of relief is “the removal or lightening of something oppressive, painful, or distressing” (Merriam Webster).

We all need varying degrees of relief at one time or another.  We may need relief from our hectic schedule; or relief from such things as stress, confusion, grief, or pain.  Relief can be as simple as a glass of water when you’re thirsty or as serious as surgical intervention when you’re sick.  And generally, even a small degree of relief is greatly appreciated. 

Relief is not a one-time occurrence.  Our lives are a continual process.  Taking a drink when you’re thirsty doesn’t mean that you will never be thirsty again.  And because there is evil in the world, our lives can be adversely affected multiple times in various ways, each requiring some kind of relief.  However, relief can be plentiful if you know how and where to find it. 

 The world offers relief in lots of ways.  The medical and pharmaceutical industries promise relief from many physical ailments.  Counsellors are available for relieving mental pressures.  Agencies help with lifestyle stresses.  And there is nothing wrong with seeking the world’s relief.  BUT there is a better source, which offers long-lasting and true relief. 

Of course, I am talking about God. 

The very first thing we must do to receive God’s relief is to believe in Him.  Now, I know that might sound like an unnecessary statement, but without recognizing Who God truly is, we won’t be confident in what He can really do.  We may doubt His ability or His willingness to help us. We may be afraid to ask for His assistance. 

Hebrews 11:6 is very clear about believing God. 

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God IS.  Just think about that for a minute.  Do you agree?  That’s all we really need to believe.  But God reveals so much more about Himself in His Word.  And the more details we know, the more intimate our relationship with Him can be.  The Bible also lists many names for God that depict His qualities and abilities.  My favorite is “El Shaddai”, which translates to “God Almighty”.  Maybe you like Jehovah or Lord or Father – whatever speaks to your heart.  God wants us to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him.

According to this verse in Hebrews, the next thing we need to know is that God rewards us.  He is not in heaven keeping a tally of our mistakes and shortcomings.  He is watching over us with all the love in His heart.  He is our tender, caring Father, Who wants nothing but the best for each of us.  He is all powerful, all knowing, and all loving. 

When we are fully assured that God IS, and that He rewards us, we will have the confidence we need to cast our cares upon Him and receive the relief that only He can provide.  Relief that is not limited by fleshly conditions, worldly circumstances, or evil opposition.  Relief that doesn’t fail when we need it the most.  Relief that doesn’t cost us anything because Jesus Christ already paid for it.  Relief that only the Creator of the heavens and the earth is able to give, and willing to give without hesitation. 

Think about the people you truly love.  Do you ever wish harm on them?  Even if you had a quarrel with them, wouldn’t you run to their aid if they needed you?  Don’t you hurt when they hurt and rejoice when they rejoice?   God loves us more than we can comprehend!  As much love as our hearts can muster toward another person is infinitesimal compared to the amount of love God showers down upon us continually. 

God is always ready, willing and able to relieve us from any hardship – anything that causes us pain, oppression, or distress.  His resources are limitless. His ability is boundless.  His love is unconditional.  God is not waiting for us to be ‘good enough’ to receive His blessings.  He sees us as perfect in Christ Jesus.  Which brings up another point. 

We must recognize that we live in a physical world, but that we are not of this world. 

1 John 4:4

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (worldly powers): because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

As born-again Christians, we have holy spirit in us, which sets us apart from this world.  All that we see with our eyes is merely temporal. And our spirit allows us to live above it all. The spirit that is in us is perfect and has overcome the evil powers of this world. 

Our perfection is not in our flesh, but in our spirit.  And our spirit makes us sons of God, with a direct connection to Him.  We are able to tap into all of God’s resources because He is our Father. He has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings.  And you know what?  God is delighted when we allow Him to be our sufficiency.  He loves us that much!

So, the next time you need relief, why not see what God can and will do for you?  Go to God in prayer.  Share your heart with Him.  Entrust your situation to Him and allow Him to help you.  Be confident in His ability and assured of His willingness.  Let God surprise you with His solution.  And don’t forget to thank Him for the deliverance that will surely follow. 

Note to my readers:  God makes a way where there is no way!  Thanks for reading. 

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” was one of my mom’s favorite sayings.  I heard her say it a million times for as long as I can remember.  And over the years, this saying has become one of my favorites as well. 

Initially, as a young girl, I considered this saying only in the context of my looks.  Around the age of twelve or thirteen, I started to not like the way I looked. (Until then, it didn’t bother me.)  Suddenly, I didn’t seem to meet the required standard to be considered one of the popular girls. I didn’t look like them, and I wasn’t built like them.   But I would remind myself of my mom’s saying and hope it meant that others might see me differently than my mirror did, and that they might think that I was pretty anyway.  I cannot attest whether that happened or not, but things changed in high school.  I lost a lot of weight and my opinion of myself began to improve.  Not right away, though.  My first longer-term boyfriend told me that he dated me because he wanted to know what it was like to date an ugly girl.  And I wasn’t even offended by that because I held such a low opinion of myself!  But after I gained a little self-respect, I ended that relationship.  And for a while, I was okay with my looks, and fairly confident.

But as the evil in the world often does, circumstances were orchestrated to talk me into not liking myself again.  I began to sink in the quicksand of low self-esteem.  Not only did I think poorly of the way I looked, but I also thought that I was incompetent.  And you know what happened?  I manifested those crippling negatives.  I was in a downward spiral.  I could behold no beauty in myself, nor could I seem to do anything right. 

Then I was confronted with a life-altering situation.  How I would deal with that situation would determine my success or failure in the future.  Which would I choose?  I could not afford to give in to the negatives that haunted me.  I knew that I had to overcome my oppression.  Slowly, I started to climb out of the pit that I had in essence dug for myself. 

My ascent began with prayer.  I knew that God was my only sure way out.  And He came through for me in remarkable ways.  He provided for my every need.  And He showed me who I truly am – His daughter!  He helped me behold the beauty that He made me to be.  Christ in ME!  That is true beauty!  He also showed me that I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I was not incompetent; I had merely succumbed to doubts and fears that held me in bondage.  Once I broke those chains, I excelled at the things that had been defeating me before.  Every success strengthened my resolve to be all that God wanted me to be and to no longer give in to the worldly schemes that had overwhelmed me.

It behooves us to be beholders of our own beauty.  When we do that, our beauty will be displayed on the outside for all (including ourselves) to see.  But if we don’t, our beauty will stay hidden inside – bound up and essentially invisible. 

Women tend to be very critical of their own appearance.  But short of very expensive and seldom necessary surgery, we cannot change our faces.  And what I discovered over the years is that physical beauty is so much more than our physical features.  Of course, there are those who have beautiful symmetrical faces.  And we can appreciate their beauty.  But those pleasing looks could be a thin veil for a mean or selfish heart.  Skin-deep beauty is a shallow version of what true beauty really is. 

I also discovered that I didn’t look at others with the same critical eyes that I looked at myself.  When I looked at my family – I saw only their loveliness.  So, I had to ask myself, “Am I really the only ugly person in my family?”  That is nonsensical!  When I looked at my friends, neighbors and coworkers, I didn’t think that any of them were bad looking.  So, why did I look so disparagingly at myself?  It was because I had allowed my mind to accept the worldly idea that I just didn’t measure up.  I needed to change my thinking and behold myself in the same way that I viewed others – without constant criticism!  And even more so, I needed to look at myself the way God looks at me. 

God’s Word is the master teacher of how to look at ourselves and others in the right way.  The Word taught me that the basis of true beauty is love. It is love in the heart of the beholder that sees real beauty in others.  And it is love living in our own hearts that makes us truly beautiful.  When someone’s heart is flooded with the beauty of God’s love, it shines through their eyes like a brilliant sunrise.  It illuminates the beauty within them, and it is a beautiful thing to behold!

All the wonderful qualities of God’s love that are outlined in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 are not just describing the way we need to love others. They are also the way we need to love ourselves. And when we love ourselves in this manner, we will be free in our hearts to love others more and more.  It is the best win-win of all!  It is a truly beautiful way to live. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.

Think about applying these qualities of love to yourself.  Are you patient and kind to yourself?  Do you get angry with yourself?  Do you keep a record of your wrongs?  Sometimes we may beat ourselves up for things that we would not hold against someone else.  We are often much more critical of ourselves than we are of others.  These things ought not so to be!  Love does not fail even when it’s loving ourselves. 

As we endeavor to treat others according to these scriptures, we cannot forget to treat ourselves the same way.  God chose each one of us to be in His beautiful family.  He beholds our beauty whether we see it or not.  We are always, always, always beautiful in His sight!  Why not see ourselves the same way God does?

Note to my readers:  Try looking at yourself through loving eyes, even when you don’t feel like it.  You’ll be amazed by how beautiful you are!  Thanks for reading. 

This past winter has been harsh for just about everybody I know. My brother in Alaska had over 16 feet of snow this year (so far). My family and friends in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey also had record snowfalls and below average temperatures. Even in Florida, we experienced a bitter cold snap that killed a lot of our landscaping. Now, I know that doesn’t compare to what the northerners faced, but it’s still sad when we see some of our favorite plants withered and dead. And because of our thin Florida blood, what was 8° on the thermometer, felt like 38 below zero to our bodies!

BUT as happens every year, spring sprouts and winter goes away. Those severe winter conditions end and new life begins to grow. And every year, our anticipation of spring’s arrival comforts us during the last lingering days of winter. Spring brings the promise of renewal and hope.

Also, every year around this same time comes the Easter holiday. At Eastertime, we celebrate the ultimate new life – the life Jesus Christ made available to us by his death and resurrection. Talk about renewal and hope!

I find it appropriate that Easter and spring coincide because it gives us a great mind picture for our lives. The austere winter of our lives, when we were without God and without hope in this world, has given way to the joyous spring of the new life we have as born-again sons of God. This also reminds us that our old-man shortcomings, which left us stranded and naked in the cold, are in the past. And now, our new-man life is flourishing because the warmth of the new birth provides the perfect conditions for us to grow. Our barren winter is over and we are living in the springtime of our new birth in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Every year, the snow and ice of winter give way to the pleasant surroundings of spring. Think about spring: baby animals are born, flowers grow, trees bud. It’s all new and fresh and good. And it is the same for the new life of our salvation; it’s new, and fresh and good. (And for a little added benefit – it’s also ETERNAL.)

Sometimes we might struggle because we forget that we have been given a brand-new life. Our old life has been so familiar and comfortable that we can slip into our old habits of negative thinking before we realize that we have done so. But if we remind ourselves that winter is over and spring has sprung, we can put away our winter garb. Do we continue to wear our heavy coats and snow boots after winter ends?  No. We are always anxious to rid ourselves of those things when spring arrives. We should be even more eager to put off the heavy burdens of our old-man life in the springtime of our new life in Christ.

Just like we need to cultivate the new growth of spring flowers, we need to cultivate the new thinking of being sons of God. The new life we received when we got born again is a reality, but it does not automatically change our thinking. We must put new thoughts in our minds in order for us to experience all the benefits that our new life has to offer. Just like spring brings renewal, changing our minds brings renewed excitement and confidence.

Severe winter weather can prevent us from traveling freely and impede our day-to-day activities. I remember being snowed in for four days when we lived in Ohio: no school, no work, no driving, no electricity. At first, it was fun not having to do our daily routine. We had the means to stay warm and safe, so we enjoyed lounging, playing games and doing nothing. But, by the fourth day, it was no longer fun. None of us had showered (no power = no well pump), and we all yearned for our “normal” lifestyle. Fortunately, by the fifth day, the power came on and the roads were clear enough to venture out. We were all happy when our normal routine returned.   

We might find being snowed-bound in our minds to be kind of fun at first. No work, no effort; just passing the time in idle thoughts. But pointless thoughts can get old. We are the happiest when we are productive. We are not designed to be lazy. We are at our best when we overcome our challenges. Idle thoughts rob us of our initiative and prevent our success.

Spring also illustrates the transition between our old-man and new-man. We look forward to the onset of spring every year. As winter winds down, we often find ourselves being weary of the cold and yearning for the warmth of spring. So it is with our lives. Before we were saved we may have grown tired of our old life and hungered for something new.

Just as winter gives way to spring, our old life fades in the light of our new life when we make changes in our minds. It takes time for spring to fully arrive, and our new thoughts take time to develop. Spring gets warmer each day, it’s a process. We also have a thought process. Our thoughts will become more God-centered as we put more of His Word into our minds. Unlike spring, however, changes in our lives will not happen just by the passage of time. We must make the effort to change our thinking in order to reap the benefits that God has in store for us. Like new life appears in springtime, new life will appear for us as we renew our minds.

So why not enjoy our springtime?  We don’t need to live in the winter of our past. Just like spring provides a new beginning, we have been given a new beginning in Christ. We can flourish in our new life and forget about “old man winter”!

Note to my readers:  Happy Spring!  And Happy Easter / Resurrection Sunday!  Thanks for reading. 

I have spent most of my life trying to prove my worth. I’m not talking about proving my capabilities like passing a test or starting a new job. Pushing ourselves to accomplish or excel at something helps us grow. I’m talking about trying to convince myself and others that I have worth.

My friend Merriam Webster defines worth as, “the value of something measured by its qualities or by the esteem in which it is held”; also “moral or personal value”. It lists “merit” as a synonym.

“The value of something measured by its qualities…”.

Sometimes we may have trouble identifying our value because we don’t recognize our own qualities. Maybe we think it’s conceited to claim that we have great qualities. This was an issue for me. I remember finding it distasteful to hear the “in crowd” in high school always touting their qualities. And I developed an aversion to their bragging. However, I carried that attitude to such an extreme that I couldn’t admit anything positive about myself without feeling like I was bragging. I was afraid that if I said something good about myself, I would be labelled self-centered or arrogant, or worse yet, be ridiculed. So, I downplayed my qualities under the guise of humility without realizing that I was actually downplaying them to myself as well. After a while, I began to think that I didn’t have much worth and that is how I portrayed myself.

There is a difference between bragging and self-esteem, which brings me to the second part of the definition; “or by the esteem in which it is held.”  Since I had convinced myself that I had little worth, I had very low self-esteem. Now, one thing about low self-esteem is that it tends to rub off on others. Which means, if we think poorly of ourselves, others will likely begin to share the same opinion. This is one of life’s many uncomfortable cycles. Think poorly of yourself – others think poorly of you – you see their attitude – you think more poorly of yourself – they think more poorly of you – and so on, and so on. And the worst part of this cycle is that it can push friends away when we need them the most.   

Another issue with low self-esteem is depending on others to provide esteem for us. I have struggled with this too. I relied on the opinions of others to define my worth. I was always fishing for compliments. If I didn’t get enough reassurance, I would feel like a failure. I would even say negative things about myself, hoping that someone would correct me. It didn’t work. It just made me feel worse.

Then came the day that I got born again. And I wish I could say that my attitude changed that day, but it didn’t. Of course, everything changed for me spiritually that day; but in my mind, I still carried the burden of low self-esteem. I knew that I was a son of God, and I knew that God loved me, but I still felt like I wasn’t a worthy Christian. I thought that my understanding of the Bible lagged behind and that I was not as spiritually sharp as everyone else. So, I embarked on a quest to prove to myself and others (including God) that I was worthy to be a Christian. Now, that may sound like a noble quest, but it is not the way God wants us to live. And here is why…

God chose us and called us, not because of our remarkable qualities, but because He knew we would answer His call. And He called us to be part of His family. He made us His children so that He could love us with a Father’s undying love. Furthermore, He knew exactly who we were when He called us. He saw our shortcomings; He knew our deepest thoughts – and He called us anyway! 

God gave every born-again Christian everything we would ever need to be the best sons of God we could be. We all received the same gift of holy spirit in the same measure. We are all complete in Him. We can all succeed in life because of His love, goodness, mercy and grace. We all have Christ in us. It’s a done deal!  What worth could we possibly still have to prove?  God thought so highly of us, that He gave His only begotten son to save us. We are worthy enough to God that He wanted US to be His children!

When recognize the worth we have in God’s eyes; how could we ever feel unworthy?  Our value is not in our own merit, but in the merit that God has given us. We have nothing to prove because God has established our worth as priceless. And if we need accolades to boost our sense of worth, the Bible is full of God’s high opinions of us!  For instance, He says we are righteous. Do we need to prove that we are worthy to be righteous?  No! We simply need to believe what God says.

It is not bragging to say what The Word says about us. And it is not egotistical to claim that we are sons of God. We don’t need to prove our worth to be who God says we are, we just need to accept the truth by believing and live accordingly. When we look in the mirror we should see the glory of God in Christ in us. And it is not arrogant to declare that as our identity. It’s just the truth!

It took a long time for me to learn, understand and believe these things because I had so much unlearning to do, and that is a continual process. Some of our old-man traits were easy to put off and they fell away. But some require ongoing rehabilitation to get over. That’s why the Bible calls it the “renewed mind”. We make our minds new by believing God’s Word, then our old-man thoughts resurface, and we have to make our minds new again. We may need to prove our abilities by using them to renew our minds, but that has no bearing on our worth! 

If we are still trying to prove our worth as Christians, we are denying the greatness of the new birth and the completeness of our redemption. If we are doubting our value, we have forgotten how great a price God paid for us. Our walk with God is not to prove our worth, but in response to the great worth that He has already given to us. We are worthy because God made us worthy. And our value is no longer subject to the world’s scrutiny, for we are set apart for heaven. We are who God says we are! We have what God says we have! And we will be what God says we will be!

Note to my readers:  If you have ever struggled with self-worth like I have, I hope this helps you. Never forget who you truly are in Christ and how much God loves you!  Thanks for reading.

Let me start by saying that I called myself an “older adult” for lack of a better description.  I could have referred to myself as an “old lady”, but that’s not really who I am – at least not most days.  I could have said, “senior citizen”, but that only seems appropriate as a government designation or to qualify for discounts.  Perhaps “elder” or “grandmother” might have worked?  But those titles are too specific for all my musings.  So, I chose “older adult”.

As someone who has been around the block quite a few times, I have learned, forgotten, and relearned countless  things.  I have had many experiences, both good and bad.  I have lived through many changes.  I have survived many hardships.  And I have formed ardent opinions about life.  Consequently, I muse. 

I muse about many things.  I muse on myself, my life, my family and my friends.  I muse on society, current events and the condition of the world.  But most of all, I muse on the Bible; what God has said to us and all that He has done for us.  And often my musing will involve all these things intertwined. 

So, I thought I’d share a recent musing with you… 

I love music, although I have no musical talent of my own.  I so much enjoy the rich melodic tones of Andrea Bocelli’s voice.  And songs like “Old Time Rock and Roll” will get me dancing every time.  But my favorite artist is Michael McDonald.  The other day, when I heard one of his songs, I was reminded of the time that I got to see him perform at the Apollo Theater in New York City.  What a wonderful memory!  It was the second-best concert that I ever attended, only eclipsed (slightly) by Eric Clapton at Madison Square Garden.  I went to Michael’s concert with three friends from work who weren’t very familiar with his music.  But he sang his heart out and by the end of the show, my three friends were fans too. 

 As I recalled this experience, I thought, “I love my life.”  Not quite sure where that thought came from, but it stirred me into musing.  Remembering this concert reminded me of many wonderful experiences I had in New Jersey.  And remembering some of those experiences reminded me that I had a really good life in The Garden State. 

Overall, my life has been pretty great everywhere I’ve lived.  Is it perfect?  Ha!  Far from it!  But I am very grateful for the life I have lived and for all of my experiences because the whole picture is who I am today.  And today, I am thankful.

Why am I thankful?  Well, first and foremost, I am thankful because of the truth of God’s Word that I know.  It is astounding to me that I have had the unbelievable opportunity to have been taught so much of the Bible accurately and rightly divided.  Who am I, that I should be so blessed?  I certainly didn’t do anything to deserve it.  But God, in His infinite mercy and grace, chose me (with all my flaws) to be His child and He allowed me (with all my shortcomings) to be entrusted with the greatness of His Word.  God’s Word which explains that our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, came to give us a more than abundant life.  That Word which includes exceeding great and precious promises that God, who cannot lie, made unto His children. That Word which tells us about the hope of Christ’s return and the glory that shall be revealed in us.  There is no greater privilege than being called by God to be His child.  And no greater truth than what the Word of God reveals.  I am a daughter of God Almighty with a knowledge of His Word.  I have arrived!

I am also thankful because I have had (and still have) so many wonderful people in my life.  From my best friend in high school to the new friends I’ve made in recent months, I am blessed by knowing a plethora of unique and talented people who have touched my life in many ways.  They have taught me so much; helped me more than they will ever know; and stood with me when I needed them most. Every one of these people has enriched me and left an imprint on my heart.  I consider it an honor to know each and every one of them.

And I take great pride in my family.  From my brother and sister to my husband to my kids and grandkids, my family is the best family that I could ask for.  I’m blessed by the relationship I have with my siblings.  They are both great people and the bond we share is very special.  Their families are terrific too.  I wish we lived closer to each other.

I often think that my husband’s best quality is that he is pleased to dwell with me. Heck, I’m not always pleased to dwell with myself!  Yet, he sticks around.  My three children have grown into wonderful adults.  They are far better people than I, which means that I must have done my job well.  And for certain, my grandchildren are undeniably the best grandchildren in the whole universe (enough said).

And the best part of all, is that so many of my friends and family members are also part of the family of God.  Being in God’s family makes our bond unbreakable and our future eternal.  Our hearts are knit together in the love of God.  It just doesn’t get any better than that!

As far as the world goes; like the song says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through,”.  We cannot embroil ourselves in all the turmoil and unrest that is so prevalent in the world today.  That is not to say that we should turn a blind eye to current events, but we cannot get dragged down into the pit of the devil’s schemes.  The primary objective of worldly ploys is to distract us and rob us of God’s Word.  The best thing we can do for our society is pray.  The Bible tells us to pray for those in authority so that we can lead quiet and peaceable lives.  (I Timothy 2:2)

So, that concludes my musing.  I shared it because I thought it might remind you of things in your life that you are thankful for.  And because it blessed me to revisit those thoughts. 

My musing is not always positive.  But if I find myself wallowing in negative thoughts, I do my best to replace them with positive ones.  Because really, what good comes from negative thinking?  None!  It surely doesn’t help us.  We cannot control a lot of things in life, but we can control our own minds.  It takes a consistent effort to maintain positive thoughts.  And the Bible is clear that we can so renew our minds that God’s Word will have the preeminence in all our thinking. 

If you want to muse, why not muse on things that make you happy?  Stir up joyful memories.  Reminisce about special experiences and pleasant times; be grateful for your friends and family; and most of all, look to God for His incredible goodness in every situation.  You can remind yourself, “The future is as bright as the promises of God” or cling to a scripture that speaks to your heart.  You can picture yourself being wildly successful even if you are in a negative situation right now.  And you can thank God for His deliverance and muse on what your victory will be like. 

Our minds are always busy because our thoughts are in perpetual motion.  Why not train our minds to think profitable thoughts?  We could sit all day and muse about our problems or the evils that are common in the world.  We could focus on our lack or our heartaches.  There is no profit in thinking those thoughts.  That kind of thinking can drive our minds right into depression.  And certainly, that is not a profitable place to be! 

Why not fill our thoughts with LIGHT?  The brightest light is in God’s Word.  However, there is also beauty in the world, and luminous relationships that can bless and edify us.  Musing on the Truth of God’s Word is always profitable and always uplifting.  Being thankful for all we have instead of dwelling on our lack, will open the door to confident thoughts and a positive outlook.  That kind of musing will encourage us and calm our hearts.  I am reminded of what Jesus Christ said…

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from being full of the light of God’s Word.  Count your blessings.  Seek truth and plant it firmly in your thoughts.  And remember, there is always, always, always something to be thankful for. 

Note to my readers:  Happy musing!  Thanks for reading. 

We start our year in January thinking about the twelve long months that lie ahead.  Months that will span the seasons.  Months that will be filled with events, opportunities, changes, and growth.  Twelve whole months, 365 days, countless hours, so much time and so many experiences await us.  But then in the blink of an eye, it is December again.  Where did the year go?  What happened to all those days and hours?  They flew by in a flash!  One day it was New Years and the next day it was Christmas! 

We may lament time passing so quickly, or we may relish it.  But there is no denying that time flies!  And, as my mom always said, “The older you get, the faster it goes!”

Time is constant that God created for us when He put the heavens and earth in order in Genesis. 

Genesis 1:14 – And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

That being said, we know that in reality, the speed of time never changes. It doesn’t go faster one day and slower the next.  It is only in our perceptions that it seems to vary.  And our perceptions are often affected by how we feel.  For instance, if we are facing a negative situation, time seems to drag on forever.  But if we are enjoying a positive situation, time seems to move at lightning speed. (Hence the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun”.)  Have you ever been sick for a week?  Have you ever taken a week’s vacation?  Which week flew by faster?  I rest my case. 

Our perceptions of time also involve perspective.  When we were children, the world was huge and time was abundant.  Back then, time was not a precious commodity that we had to guard. From a child’s perspective, time was carefree.  But as we get older, the world begins to shrink, and time becomes a significant factor in our lives.  As adults, we have responsibilities that make demands on our time.  Schedules, deadlines and appointments all chip away at our time allotment.  We are ever cognizant of the passage of time.  We may often feel like there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish what needs done.  An adult’s perspective is very different.               

When I was a young teenager, I heard my mom tell a story about something that had happened 30 years prior.  As I listened, it was difficult for me to imagine having a memory of something so long ago.  Not only did it take place 30 years ago, but when it took place, my mom was older than I was at the time.  I simply couldn’t fathom having memories from more years ago than I had been alive.  What must that be like, I wondered.  My mom must feel so old to have lived so many years.  My mom was 48 when she told this story, which is the same age my daughter is now.  Time is all about perspective!    

Here on earth, time is an important element in our lives.  It basically governs our day.   It benefits us to use it wisely. Once it passes, it is gone. If we waste it, it is lost.  Making good use of our time fosters success.  Squandering it is unprofitable. 

But time will not always be an issue for us.

The Bible says that Christ Jesus is coming back to gather us together, and that we will be in heaven with him FOREVER. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

We received everlasting life when we got born again.  It is called everlasting life because it had a starting point which was the moment we were saved.  It is called eternal life because it has no end.  That life is already ours, but it is not the life that we see with our eyes.  It is the spiritual life with which we are endued.  It is the life that is guaranteed to us by having holy spirit within us. 

What we see with our eyes is temporal and pertains to our earthly life which is controlled by the confines of time.  We cannot see our spiritual life, but it will last forever.  And forever breaks all the bonds of time.  And whether time is moving too fast for you right now or lingering way too long, keeping your eyes on your eternal life is the remedy. 

When I think of time, I remember this verse:

Psalm 90:4 – For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

God is eternal. He has always been and He will always be.  He is not bound by the reckoning of time like we are.  To Him, a thousand years are as a day, and a day as a thousand years.  (You can also check out 2 Peter 3:8)  God is not restrained by our timelines, nor is He limited by our perceptions.  God always has time to hear and answer our prayers.  God’s schedule is always open for His kids whenever they need Him.  He is never daunted by deadlines.  God’s timing is always perfect! 

So, if this year has whizzed by in a blur, or if it has been agonizingly slow, you can still rest assured that God has been with you every single one of the 31,536,000 seconds of 2025. And when it’s December again in 2026, He will still be with you! 

Hebrews 13:5 …for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Note to my readers:  Merry Christmas.  Happy New Year.  God bless you!  I love you!  Thanks for reading.