A New Thing

A New Thing

It's easy to dwell on the past...on our failures and negative circumstances that we wish had gone differently. But with this new year comes new opportunities, new chances to make this year a better year. And even if we feel this way in a few months, too, it's never too late to start fresh. Our God loves us and offers us new life and new hope through His son Jesus- not just at New Year's, but all year long! Let Christ into your heart and let Him create a beautiful new thing in you today. 

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 43: 18-19

Journey on! 

Where do you Place your Value?

We choose the coolest car, house, or clothes. We splurge on an iPad or a Blackberry. We post our best pictures on Facebook. We act a certain way and make specific choices based on what someone else is going to think about it. What are some other things you do to make yourself feel “worthy?” One of the most common desires we share with each other here on earth is the need to feel accepted. We all want someone to think we’re great.

We often look for our self-worth and our value in the wrong things. We spend more time trying to create an appearance of awesomeness rather than actually living our lives to the fullest. We need to remember that God, who created us, loves us more than anything…our self-worth comes from Him alone. Our deepest needs can only be filled by our Maker. When we see ourselves as God’s precious children, fully loved and accepted, we can let go of the need to impress the world. We can stop trying to prove ourselves worthy and start living our lives with purpose, passion, and love for others. Remind yourself that God loves you for who you are, and He values your life tremendously!

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

Journey on!

A Savior Of Shepherd and Kings

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 1:8-11

We hear this story often, and yet it still fills me with a sense of wonder as I imagine what it must have been like to be one of those shepherds. An actual angel of God appearing before lowly shepherds, probably living a fairly uneventful life out in the pastures until that moment. Can you imagine the beauty of that sight? The glory of the Lord was shining down, and this angel was bringing a message of hope to them. I would love to have heard their excited conversation as they travelled towards that manger in Bethlehem. How incredible it must have been to gaze upon Jesus himself, a tiny newborn child, the Savior of the world. As you think about the well-known story of Christ's birth this Christmas week, take a few moments to truly absorb the magnificence, the beauty, the joy and the peace of that night. Praise God for the greatest gift we could ever imagine…a gift for great kings and lowly shepherds alike.

Merry Christmas!

Surrender to Win

“Judah will hold the royal scepter,
And his descendants will always rule.
Nations will bring him tribute
And bow in obedience before him. “ (Genesis 49:10, a prophecy of Jesus’ birth)

     We generally associate the word “surrender” with defeat. It means giving up, quitting, losing! I think that is why it is so difficult for us to grasp the concept of surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ. We say we give ourselves to Him…but how well does that play out in our lives? We still struggle to take control, to do things with our own strength. The story of Jesus seems too far in the past for us to submit to such a king. We need to do it ourselves, and then we feel frustrated when we can’t measure up.

     Ironically, when we completely surrender to Him, that is when we win! We may lose our sense of being in control, but we were never in control in the first place. Surrendering to the Lord in EVERY area of our lives may go against our human nature, but it frees us in ways we can’t imagine. He knows the best plan for you. He knows your heart’s greatest desires and your struggles. And He will show you the best path if you can let go and LET HIM! Remember that Jesus was called Immanuel, God with us…when we submit to Him we allow Him to work in us and with us in amazing ways. What areas of your life do you need to surrender more fully to God?

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”

(Matthew 16:24-25)

Journey on!

He is WITH You

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name ‘Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’ ” —Matthew 1:23

In the midst of the jolly excitement this holiday season, there are many who are hurting and in need of healing. This verse reminds us that with the promise of a baby, a Savior, there was also a promise that God would be with us! His very name speaks the truth that the Lord dwells in us and with us. He can comfort us, heal us, protect us, and strengthen us. If you see someone walking though a difficult time this season, remind them of the blessing of Christmas- that our Savior came to be with us, and is ALWAYS with us even now. Shine Christ's light to the world this holiday and remember His amazing love for you!

Journey on!

The Gifts of the Season

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High." Psalm 7:17

One of the fun parts of the holidays was always exchanging gifts with friends and family. Not merely because we cared about receiving "things" but because it gave us a chance to bless each other! There is something beautiful and satisfying about blessing another person. And when you receive a blessing, it inspires feelings of gratitude and love. The Lord has blessed us abundantly and given us amazing gifts every single day. We don't always take the opportunity to acknowledge all the ways in which we have been blessed, but I hope during this Christmas season, you will reflect on the people God has placed in your life, on the provision He has given over the year, on the warmth of a happy home or the security of a job. Whatever blessings God has given you this year, take time to thank Him for them! Gratitude is such a critical thing to have. What gifts has God given you this year?

Journey on!

Open Your Heart

God wants us to be generous in helping those who are in need. The Bible tells us in 1 John 3:17-18:

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

Many are struggling to make ends meet, and they may not always come out and ask for help, but if we keep our eyes open and really listen to people, we will notice the ones who really need a helping hand. Take time this week to pay attention to those around you, at work or in your community, and pray for God to help you recognize opportunities to give. It could be financial, helping someone pay for groceries or buying something their children need, but it could also be by lending a hand. Maybe you could watch kids one day for a young mom who desperately needs a break, or take a meal to someone who is battling illness. Offer to help an overwhelmed co-worker with a project or give someone a ride. There are many ways to be generous and many ways to love others with our actions. How can you open your heart today?

Journey on!

Give Thanks

I read a statistic that says that if you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep at night, you are richer than 75% of the world. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the many blessings we have, and it’s an opportunity to really focus on praising God for what he has provided. Take time this week to appreciate the things you might take for granted, and realize just how truly blessed you are. Thank God for those things and pray about ways that you can use what you have to bless others who need help. Meditate on the following verses, knowing that all the things we have are not truly ours, but come from our loving God:

"Yours, LORD, is the geatness and the power
   and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
   for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;
   you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you;
   you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
   to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
   and praise your glorious name."

1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Happy Thanksgiving, and Journey on!

Watch and Listen

When we’re driving, we have to keep our eyes on the road. We have to watch for redlights, warning signs, other cars, and many other things that protect us from hurting others and ourselves on the road.

As children of God, we have to keep our eyes focused on the only one who can see what lies ahead of us in life. God can see a bad situation long before we can, and it’s up to us to trust in Him when he’s guiding us in a new direction. We can have confidence that He knows the right way to go so we can live life to the fullest without as many pitfalls along the way! Seek His direction in your life today!

“My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.”  Psalm 25:15

Journey on!

Accept The Gift Of Forgiveness

"Forgiveness isn't just a blessing you deliver to another human being. Forgiveness is also a gift you give yourself." Robin Sharma

It's not an easy thing to forgive someone who has deeply hurt us. It can be harder, still, to learn to forgive ourselves. Resentment is something the devil enjoys encouraging in our hearts, but if we let it consume us, we are allowing the thing that hurt us to have more power over our lives. It's so important to find a way to forgive, even if it is a long process. We should never give up seeking God's healing and striving towards forgiveness. It may seem impossible now, but if you continue to pray and ask for God's strength, He has the power to guide you through to a place of peace. Don't let resentment hinder your growth and peace- ask God to help you forgive today.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

Journey on!

Believe

We read in the Bible that "with God all things are possible." (Matt 19:26) But as followers of Christ, do we truly claim this promise? Deep down, do we really believe that God has a special plan for us...that when we seek Him and do His will, miraculous things can happen? As children of the all-powerful, loving Father, we are capable of doing incredible things, and God indeed has a wonderfully unique plan for our lives! With the power of God, we can have confidence in our steps. We need only to believe and have faith that He knows what is best. Jesus said it this way:

"...I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

Lean on His power, claim His promise. Pray with confidence. Have faith and be prepared to witness remarkable things!

Journey on!

Experience His Glory

When you hit the snooze on your alarm and you lie awake in bed, seek the Lord's face as you prepare for your day. Read His word…study it when you have moments to yourself or can focus among others. Pray with your breath, your words, your actions, your attitude. Listen when others around you speak words of encouragement, love, or advice, knowing that God has put them in your path. Our wisdom grows when we allow God to penetrate every aspect of our lives. Our understanding comes when we choose to focus through a God-lens. What is God speaking to your heart today? Have you stopped to listen? He is goodness, mercy, light, strength, and so much more. Embrace Him in a real way today and experience His glory.

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3

Journey on!

Rely on God

It’s a great feeling when you get your very first paycheck. You feel such a sense of accomplishment...your first taste of financial independence. As we continue on into adulthood, it’s easy to place our sense of self-worth in our successes: we find the perfect spouse, have kids, advance in our careers, or buy a dream home. At the same time, we put ourselves down based on our failures. Things don’t work out the way we planned, we lose a job, or get a divorce, and we begin to feel unworthy. The problem with placing our self-worth into the hands of our successes and failures is that we are relying completely on ourselves. The focus is on “me.” What “I” accomplished or what “I” failed to do.

The truth is, we are worthy because we are GOD’S children. We are blessed with successes because of God’s awesome love, and we are still loved and forgiven through our failures because of God, too. We have to start taking ourselves out of the equation and understand that we can’t ever do or be "enough." We HAVE to rely on God! When we do, we can see ourselves through HIS eyes. We have self-worth because of His grace and love. We can be free to live a life honoring Him instead of trying so hard to succeed on our own. Learn to let go of yourself, and rely on Him this week!

“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5

Journey on!

Expect the Unexpected

“If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

I like to have a good idea of where I am headed. I am a planner, and I like to see the steps ahead coming before I get there. One of the things that comforts me the most is my gps! It sounds crazy, but knowing that I will be told where to turn and what to do before I get to a fork in the road brings me a lot of peace. Life doesn't always cooperate with me on this. Sometimes, my battery dies, or I lose signal. My perfectly laid plans get completely derailed because someone got sick or the weather is bad, or an event is canceled. As much as I wish I could, we can't see everything around the bend. But we have a God who does see the big picture- a God we can trust wholeheartedly! When we recognize that life will always throw us curveballs, and we put our trust in God to see us through, we can have peace even in the unexpected, because we know He loves us so much.

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7

Journey on!