January 5

There is something beautiful about God’s transforming power. Not only does it change you, but it strengthens you because you are no longer relying on your own power, but the power of the Almighty. Having God’s strength behind you may not be what you think it is. He gives us the power to endure with patience, but not only with patience, but joy! Going through a difficult time you wouldn’t consider joy as being a part of that trial, however, there is amazing joy when we see His power in full force. We’ve all had to endure challenges, but when we get to the other side, we see the pieces fall together like a puzzle, each having its own part in making it a perfectly structured picture. Life is messy, but you don’t have to be. Trust God and what He is doing, rely on His strength, because joy comes in the morning.

"being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;"Colossians 1:11

January 4

Telling stories about the happenings in my life and relating it to a truth in the Bible, is one of my favorite things to do. Somehow I feel as though I’ve strayed from the most important reason for writing, and that is to grow intimately closer to God. We are different from the unsaved because our focus should be on Him, and not the longing for earthly things. Getting off track is easy when the demands of life turn our attention away from Him. The Holy Spirit made me aware of my departure from my purpose, and helped me change my direction. What can you do, and what is the best way to turn that around? It’s realizing your error! As I began slowly meandering through Colossians, it hit me like a ton of bricks, He’s drawing me to Himself by inviting me back into closeness, and to refocus my attention to get to know Him better! Survey yourself and see if you need to turn your face back toward Him to seek more knowledge of His holiness.

so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:10

January 3

It’s that time of year where we rid ourselves of unhealthy habits. This year, I’ve decided to rid myself of sugar! I need to do this! I can’t fit into my clothes! Not only am I deleting some things, but I’m adding some things. Running seems to help me drop the pounds the quickest, so I’m working on building up my endurance. Yesterday I did two miles, walking part of the way and running part of the way. As with anything bad, you need to add in the good for balance. Today, I’m equating sugar to sin and exercise to the Holy Spirit. We all have traits that may not be sinful, but could use some work. Identify what those things are and ask God to help you. The only way I can stick to a fast or a diet plan, is to dedicate it to God. I try my best not to disappoint Him, so this really works for me. If you decide to fast, make sure that you feast on the Word of God. Out with the bad, and in with the good!

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” John 6:27

January 2

Richard and I spent all day New Year’s Eve in the Apple Store. An incident requiring immediate reconciliation had occurred rendering his handheld computer useless. We had been out fishing, but hadn’t used all the bait because the fish weren’t biting. When we returned, Richard and Doug, my son-in-law, decided that they would try their luck at fishing off the dock. The tide was low and the dock was quite high out of the water. Richard decided to get comfortable by sitting on the railing, when suddenly the railing gave way, plummeting him into the cold water. Luckily the railing didn’t follow him into the water. He wasn’t hurt, but his phone was ruined. The point of this story is that unexpected things happen that nothing can prepare you for. One second you are dry and cheerful and the next you are sinking into the unknown. Are you prepared if the unthinkable happens to you today? With Jesus you are always ready! Ask Him to be the King of your life today.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:16-18

January 1

Many thanks are owed to God for the blessing of acceptance. He has welcomed us into His kingdom, as filthy as we are, but because of Jesus, we are clean and pristine, and we are accepted. With that comes a family of believers, and an instant connection to one another. It is a bond, and a love that is unlike any other. The mutual tie to Jesus makes it a love that is stronger than any blood relation, and more powerful! I don’t know if you have experience this, but I’m drawn to people who love Jesus, even though I don’t know them, or know if they are believers. I’ll ask, just to see if that’s why I like them, I’m always surprised, but not shocked, because that’s how it is when you are a believer, He brings you together in His mutual love. The next time you talk to a stranger, and feel an unusual connection, see if they are related to you through Jesus. Start this year off right by thanking God for His blessings, and for the family of believers! Happy New Year! 

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, Colossians 1:3-4

December 31

My dog Coco is a seven pound Yorkshire Terrier with an attitude toward other dogs. The trouble with that is, she doesn’t know she’s small, and will go after a dog four times her size! It makes perfect sense, her humans are exceedingly larger than the dogs she’s going after. It’s a great attitude to have, except most dogs are friendly and just want to play with her. We could learn a lesson for her. Our God is much larger than the enemy that threatens us, and the battles we fight, we don’t fight alone. However, the human that is a pawn in the game, is not the enemy. The enemy is the powers and principalities of this dark world. We should all go into battle and fight with an attitude like Coco, if only our eyes were open and we could see them. Let me assure you, the forces with you are greater than the forces against you.

He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16

December 30

 

When my daughter arrived for a visit to Little Gasparilla, we set out on the paddle boards for the deserted island near the southern tip for a sea shelling adventure. The shells we find here are not pristine and clean like the ones that wash up on the beach, however, once they receive a bleach bath, their beauty is revealed. They are covered with barnacles, plant life, and other things that cling to them. If the bleach and water mixture doesn’t remove the attachments, then you have to pick off what’s left. Then it’s clean and perfect, back to its original self. That is not unlike us when we come to receive Jesus as our Savior. He bleaches us clean, but there are still some things we need to give up to bring us to perfection. The first thing is ourself; you must die to your old self, like an empty shell. The things that have attached to you must be cleaned off - past sin, hurts, fear, shame, and so on. During this process, which is called sanctification, you must fill up on the word of God, replacing the evil with good. You then become polished and beautifully filled with Jesus.

"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:24