Friday, December 29, 2017

Walk in Love

2 John 4-6
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

As we enter the start of a new year, I wanted to remind myself and all of you of a simple yet powerful command that we have been given.  Love one another.  Throughout the Bible, this is a command we see over and over and over again.  It seems so simple, yet it can be so difficult. 

I will admit that there are times that I struggle to assume positive intent from people.  While I have gotten much better with the emotional intelligence and do tend to give the proper reply, I still struggle with that initial internal reaction to what someone does or says to me sometimes.  I struggle to love that person as I should. 


Do you find yourself sometimes not walking in love as we are commanded?  I just want to encourage you today to let that be a focus for you as we enter a new year.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Thursday Devotional - Seeking Immortality

Are you going to make new year’s resolutions for 2018? Often new year’s resolutions focus on things that will make us feel or look better, gain skills or accomplishments and ultimately provide what we think is a better quality of life.

Did you know Paul tells us to seek immortality???
Romans 2:6-11       God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

How will you and I seek glory, honor and immortality this coming year? Here are few ways:
Getting to know God better through reading the Bible
Joining a Bible study group
Doing a Bible study with our families
Praying for ourselves and others to know God better
Memorizing and meditating on Bible verses
Sacrificially serving others

Many of you already prioritize these things, knowing eternal life is the best reward!
Keep it up this coming year!


Alice 

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

New Year's Resolution - Certainty

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.  Hebrews 4:14-16 

This has been a year one of ups and downs.  Yes, some years are rougher than others, and this one had more challenges than I’ve had in a while.  However as I have fought and clawed through the tough times, I managed to find strength not only in myself but also in God.  It was one of those years where I looked back at some of the devotions I wrote, and had to live them out.  I had to remember not to worry and to stay awake at all times to ensure I was attune to what God was calling me to do (see May 24, 2017).  Other times it was to trust in who Jesus Christ was and not focus on what He has done for me (October 17, 2017).  More than anything, I’ve learned that I can move forward with confidence knowing that I do not have to be worried about failing.  I have certainty in Jesus that if I truly trust Him, everything will be alright. 

When we walk with Jesus, we have certainty that all things will work out for His glory.  There are times where we feel like we are losing the battle, and other times, we will feel like we did not get what we wanted.  But we must remember that we cannot lose the war if we have Jesus Christ, who give us strength to fight on and can find a way for us when we cannot see one for ourselves.  He is that shining light that we can follow, and while we may not always get what we want, He will always give us more than what we will need.  That we can sure of, and therefore, we should as Paul said, “Come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.”  Do not fear of failure or disappointment.  He will be there for you.  You can be certain of it. 

As the year comes to an end, remember that we walk by faith on the righteous pathway leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ.  You might have begun this year struggling with work, home, faith, or other areas.  However today, I want to assure you that the King of Kings is still on the throne!  When you know this deep in your heart, your fears and worries will soon disappear.  I leave you with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King the night before he was killed.  Listen to the certainty he had, and think of how this must have been words of strength to many in the equality struggle ever after his death: 

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like any man, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. 

This is what certainty in Jesus Christ sounds like.  What wall can you walk through with this certainty?  What will you do this year knowing God is with you?  My prayer is that you walk with boldness and courageousness as you head into the new year with one simple phrase; certainty.  Amen, and may you have a blessed and Happy New Year!