Commitment-Contentment-Courage

Deuteronomy 6:6 -And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. (NLT)

Philippians 4:11 – for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.

(NIV)Joshua 1:9 -This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (NLT)

At the beginning of each year, I ask the Lord for a scripture to focus on and guide me through the new year. This year I do not have one word, but the letter, -“C” – Commit, be Content and take Courage. It will be easy to remember these as my email has 3Cs in it. I am also to forget the past, the good, bad and ugly, and look forward to the awesome things He is going to do in my future. As I enter the unknown of 2025, I can be assured that if I commit to obeying God’s will and am content with His answers and plans, He will give me the courage to face the year with hope and anticipation of what He will do in this world, our country, my community, my church, my family, and my life.

Father, may Your will be done on earth in 2025 as it has been ordained in heaven. May I not focus on what I see, but what You have promised. This world is not my home, I am a citizen of Your kingdom and a daughter of the King. My hope is in You, my help comes from You and my inheritance is in heaven.

Do Not Be Intimidated

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

This theme runs throughout the book of Joshua and these verses are some of the most encouraging in scripture. obey Me and be strong. I will never abandon you! Do not be terrified or intimidated! I am with you wherever you go!

When scripture says, “do not be,” it is very likely you will be in a situation where you WILL be tempted to dismay, fear, intimidation or whatever weakness your situation resurrects in you. These are powerful verses for battle against the enemy of our soul. But promises are always based on commands. If you-you will, or if you-I will. In the previous verses, we are to obey the Word and meditate on it day and night and God promises victory to overcome. Sometimes the greatest victories are over the little things, while other victories come in overwhelming situations. Both take the power and promises of God to overcome and be victorious in Him. Whether the battle is small or great we are told to fear not, not to be afraid or be intimidated as our God is always with us. As we begin 2025- let us march forward in hope and expectation remembering God is ALWAYS with us!

Father, thank You for these scriptures and for Your continued reminder that You will never leave or forsake us and to not allow fear, intimidation or the size of the enemy to steal our victory. The enemy is still the enemy whether great or small, but we have the power of the Creator, Redeemer, all Powerful God, promised to us. The victory has already been won! As we begin 2025, let us march forward in faith and expectation, remembering God IS AWALYS WITH US!

Forget and Anticipate

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past See, I am doing a new thing!…
Isa 43:18

Thank You for this passage, Lord. Oh, how I want to forget all the things that have affected me negatively in my past. All those things that have created insecurity, unfounded fears, poor self-image, distrust and unworthiness. I am so glad those are all under the blood and I don’t have to accept those lies of the enemy as your child.  BUT WAIT!

          “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.  Isa 43:18. (NLT)

Go ahead, read it for yourself in Isaiah 43:1-17. God recounts all the wonderful things He has done in the past for His children. Then He tells them to forget all those things. What? That doesn’t make sense…. until you read the last part of the verse. It’s like He is saying, “You ain’t seen nothing’ yet!” Wait until you see what I am going to do tomorrow, next year, next century, next millennium! You have no idea how much I love You and what I will do to redeem you.

How about You? Are you still trying to forget the negative things in your past or holding on to all the good things God has already done for you?  Maybe it’s time to look for the good things Jesus is doing today and anticipating miracles for tomorrow. Could it be that we are missing out on present blessings because our minds are focused on a repeat of the past, putting God in the box of our memories. we are so excited about what He has done that we forget who He is and what He can do. Remember He is Creator God, King of Kings, Almighty God, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace and so much more!

As we enter 2025, let’s not live in the past, but anticipate His work in our present and future. Although we may not see what we are looking for we can trust He is completing His Will on earth as it is in heaven for each of us and His kingdom.

Merry Thanksmas

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

Today is a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving. Today as we take down the tree and put away the Christmas ornaments and nativities, I will be shedding tears of joy, not only for the beauty of Christ’s birth, but for family and friends. I rejoice in traveling mercies as we drove over a thousand miles to be with children, grandchildren and best friends (not an easy feat for us mature-over 70 folks)! Lots of stops and prayers, but God answered our prayers. We watched all three grandkids participate in worship and heard a wonderful word from God delivered by my son-in-law, and witnessed my daughter ministering to the children We rejoiced in Jesus’ birth, opened gifts, laughed, and gave and received lots of hugs. We ate too much, exercised too little and drank in the warmth of family and friends.

A lot of prayer went into this trip, for safety, encouraging words, understanding hearts, and leaving behind the fragrance of the Christ of Christmas. We prayed for everything and now it is time to rejoice and thank Him for all He has done! Time to reflect on His sovereignty, His humility and desire to bless us and answer our prayers. He truly gave us “our daily bread,” and I pray we hallowed His name.

Father God, thank You for Advent, for leaving your throne in heaven to become like one of us. Thank You for loving us so much to offer redemption and the awesome opportunity to leave this earth and join You in heaven. You came to us so we could come to You. Such love is beyond our comprehension, but not beyond our experience. May our lives reflect that love as we in turn have been called to love others as You love us. Love us, forgive us and glorify Your Name through us, we pray!

Baptism of the Spirit

16-17 The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.” Matthew 3:17-18

Jesus needed John to baptize Him to complete the work of God’s prophecy concerning the Messiah.

NOTE: The following thoughts have not been researched but came to me this morning as I read this passage more closely. I asked myself why Jesus, the Son of God needed to be baptized. I realized that Jesus did not do any miracles but lived as a normal man until after He was baptized in the Spirit (Holy Spirit). Jesus did not begin His public ministry until after He was baptized. For 30 years at home, Jesus did nothing to distinguish Himself as unique with the exception of being a very bright scholar at the age of 12. Now when Jesus asks John to baptize Him and John refuses, we hear this reply:

15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.[f]” So John agreed to baptize him. Matt. 3:15

I hear Jesus saying that He truly showed us the path to salvation and completing His work in this world. We must be baptized (filled) with the Holy Spirit to do the works that He did and that he has called us to do. There’s so much implied here that I cannot even comprehend, but I know the Holy Spirit is the key to doing the work of Jesus here on earth. Even the new believers in Samaria who accepted Jesus had to be baptized into the Holy Spirit.

15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:15-16

Father, I realize You revealed Your plan down to the last and most important detail, the Spirit–filled life. I honestly don’t want to be baptized by Your Spirit to have power to work miracles, but to hear Your voice clearly and to know You more fully. May Your Spirit fill my life today and may I walk in complete obedience one day at a time. Pour out Your Spirit O God upon my life, I pray.

Keep Moving

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,.. So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt…. On arrival, he settled in the village of Nazareth. This move was a fulfillment of the prophetic words, “He shall be called a Nazarene. Matthew 2 :1,14,23

Three times in this chapter we are reminded about a fulfillment of prophecy. First, that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem; second that He would come out of Egypt and third, that He would be called a Nazarene. God is always faithful to His Word.

If we don’t know the prophecies of God, we won’t be able to recognize when they are fulfilled. This made me think of the day and age in which we live and what prophecies are being fulfilled of which we are unaware. It makes me want to study the book of Revelation more thoroughly. The dilemma is that the interpretations of this book range from A to Z and it is very difficult to know whose interpretation is most accurate. These Jews only knew after the fact when the prophecy was fulfilled. But still we must know the prophecy to know when it is fulfilled. All prophecies from the Old Testament about Jesus’ first coming have been fulfilled. They seemed so mysterious when given and yet so perfectly fell into place when they were fulfilled. Those who heard those prophecies had to believe and live in that truth. Now Here we are facing a future of prophecies of the second coming and we, too must believe and live with expectant anticipation and readiness.

Lord Jesus, open our minds to understand Your Word and prophecies that relate to this age and time. Give us wisdom and discernment and reveal the simplicity of Your plan. Quicken our spirits to truth and shield us from those who simply want to out-dramatize one another. Reveal to us what we need to know and how to obey Your will in all things. As a part of human history, we are also a part of Your revelation. May your prophecies and will in our lives be fulfilled in Your perfect time.

Joseph- Love in Action

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. Luke 2:4-6

At this time Augustus decreed that everyone in the Roman empire return to their ancestral home for a census count.  Joseph took Mary and traveled 80 miles to Bethlehem, town of David’s ancestry, in obedience to the decree. Only men were required for the census, but Joseph carts his pregnant wife with him. Can you imagine being pregnant and being jostled on a donkey or walking for miles on that long trip. It would have taken many days and several stops along the way. Why would he put her through that?

Due to the length of the trip and the phrase “while they were there”, it can be assumed that the birth didn’t happen the day they arrived, but maybe months later. With hundreds of people flooding into Bethlehem, it could have taken months to complete the census. That also indicates their travel could have been earlier in her pregnancy. Just think how long they may have lived in that stable. But why bring her? Maybe to protect her and himself from gossip and the pain of misunderstanding. Maybe to spend time together discuss what was happening without the rebuke of those around them. Ultimately, to fulfill prophecy, although I doubt that Old Testament prophecy was on his mind at the time. Once again Joseph is being obedient, while also caring for his bride.

Father, Joseph’s obedience and tender care of Mary reminds us that as we walk in obedience to You, Your tender love surrounds us. Although the journey may have its challenges, You are there to protect and guide us. Thank You for such a visible example of Your love.

Let the Son Shine In

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

Isaiah continues his prophecy of the future coming of Jesus.  Jesus will bring light into the darkness caused by sin.

The NIV says, “to those who walk in the land of the shadow of death…”  When I read that phrase, I was reminded of Psalm 23 where David says, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil….”  This world is the valley of the shadow of death which faces us each day. The perfect world that Adam and Eve were placed in began decaying the moment they sinned against their Creator and Friend -God.  Vegetation decayed, animal life decayed, human life decayed ……. all existence on earth decayed. But into all that putrefying decay came the light and life-giving presence of Jesus Christ!  With that light comes the promise that our souls will never decay and can live forever with Him in heaven. The earth may pass away, but His promises will remain true and reliable; -you can count on them!  There will be no decay in heaven, no sorrow, no sickness, no pain, no death. All signs of decay will have vanished in the light of His presence!!   The shadow of death will be replaced by the light of the Son.

Father, as I sit here on this rainy day with clouds shadowing the sun, I know that above those clouds the sun is still shining. I am reminded that no matter how dark it gets the Son is still shining. The darkness of death, disease and disaster cannot extinguish the Son. The shadows of depression, discouragement and defeat cannot blot out the Son. In fact, the rains of testing and trials are often what cause us to grow and blossom in our faith. Noting hinders the Son from bringing life out of death. Help us to look for the Son in our lives today.

Do Not Be Afraid

But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” …….Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: Matthew 1 :21,22,24

When we read of Jesus miraculous conception, we often focus on Mary, but today God opened my eyes to see how very important Joseph was in this plan. Jesus earthly linage is traced through Joseph. Joseph was a man of honor who was concerned with Mary’s reputation and determined not to cause her to be disgraced. They were betrothed and their marriage was a good as done and required a divorce Joseph thought he should divorce Mary but paused to give it some thought.

While contemplating the situation an angel appeared to him. Guess what his first words were? Surprise! “Do not be afraid!” Yikes! What must there be to fear? Joseph was assured that taking Mary as his wife was the best thing to do. He was even given the name of the child and a word of prophecy about this child. WOW!

God must have thought as much about Joseph’s character as He did Mary’s. After all, in that culture the man was head of his wife. Joseph obeyed God and was given the privilege of teaching Jesus about God (humanly speaking) and the trade of carpentry. He got to name Jesus…what an honor!!!

 This speaks to me about having to know all the details and the end results before I obey when God speaks to me. I have never seen and angel, but I have experienced the words, “Do not be afraid.”  If I obey, even when I don’t humanly understand the circumstances and have all the details, I too can be used to accomplish my part of God’s great plan. It is both sobering and exciting to be a part of God’s plan of salvation for those around me.

How about you? Have you ever heard those sobering, yet exciting words. Reminds me of the passage in Isaiah….

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Dear Father, thank You for all the Josephs and Marys down through the ages who were obedient so that we could hear and be a part of the Good News and experience Your great forgiveness and redemption!! Thank You for those who have obeyed when they did not fully understand. Help us to obey Your voice when we do not understand even when others question the logic of our obedience.  Thank You for opening our eyes to Joseph and the great honor bestowed upon Him as a great man of God and earthy father of Jesus.

Forget and Move Forward

 “Do not remember the former things,
Or ponder the things of the past.
“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it? Isaiah 43:18-19

The path of deliverance from Babylon back to Israel was hundreds of miles of dessert. No water, little food, and who knows what they would face.. The prophets often reminded the people to remember the past miracles and provision, but here Isaiah says God wants them to forget the past and look forward to new things, new miracles. They are to release the past to embrace the future. This future would eventually lead to the Mesiah. God continually tells His people that a new day is coming, and all will be made right, so do not look back but look to the future God has for you.

God has used this verse in my life three times. Once in 1990 when we left the ministry to heal from the grief of our daughter’s death and to take care of my aging mom.  I thought our ministry was over for good. He reminded me again in 1992 when He said it was time to return to ministry. I was thrilled. And then in 1993, when I could not find a teaching position in the small town to which he had called us, He led me to start up a business -Great Beginnings Pre-school. This meant meeting government standards and lots of details and red-tape which scared me to death.  BUT GOD!  God gave me strength, patience and the ability to meet each demand and Great Beginnings was born.

 Each time He brings this passage to my attention, He is ready to do a new work in and through me. Today as I read it again, I was reminded of His faithfulness and wisdom in each situation. It seems each time I faced a crisis of confusion about the future, a sense of desperation, not knowing what tomorrow would bring,  God has always come through in those hours and shone His light on the next step in the journey of my life.  I feel He is doing that once again and the letting go is never easy, sometimes painful and even embarrassing, BUT GOD! 

How about you. Have you had those moments when God ha called you to let go and move into new territory with Him? It may have seemed impossible or confusing, BUT GOD! Is He calling you to forget the past successes, failures, or challenges, and move into an unproven future where he can show His mighty power and grace to you and through you? What will your answer be? Remember…BUT GOD

Thank You, Jesus for delivering us time and again and continuing to draw us into Your future and “new things” for Your glory.  You are ever faithful and know the plans You have for us, to prosper not to harm, to give hope and new life!  Help us to hear, know and walk that path where You provide streams in the dessert and level the road before us. Give us courage to forget the past and boldly march forward into the new thing, knowing You are already there awaiting our obedience. BUT GOD!!