Blessed New Year!

As we close out this year it is good to look back and see just what the Lord has brought us through. We all have had some bad things happen and some really good things. Our attitude toward the bad and good things should be identical according to God's word. I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Are we able to give thanks in the midst of all things? Are we looking forward to the new that God will be bringing into our lives in 2011? Perhaps we have not completely worked through 2010. It is important that we forgive and move on with the Lord while forgetting those things that are behind and pressing forward to what God has ahead. As we do God's will we will have a blessed New Year!

Hard Work Pays Off!

Marvin Gregory tells the story of a junk dealer who became a millionaire even though he only had an 8th grade education. Somebody asked him how he was able to make a million dollars in spite of his lack of formal training. He said, "Well, it ain't hard. I just bought junk for $1 and sold it for $2 and you'd be surprised how quickly that 1% profit adds up." It is obvious that he wasn't a great mathematician but he also wasn't afraid of hard work. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." Proverbs 10:4 confirms the thought of hard work when it says, "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich." Let's do all that we do as unto to the Lord and leave the results to Him. His wisdom, love, and justice will always prevail.

New Year Resolutions!

Some typical attempts with new year resolutions:

For those wanting to read more.
2005: I will read at least 10 books a year.
2006: I will read at least 5 books a year.
2007: I will read at least 1 book a year.
2008: I will read some newspaper articles this year
2009: I will read at least one newspaper article this year.
2010: I will try and finish the comics section this year.

For those worrying about their weight.
2006: I will follow my new diet religiously until I get below 200 lbs.
2007: I will try to develop a realistic attitude about my weight.
2008: I will work out 5 days a week.
2009: I will work out 3 days a week.
2010: I will try to drive past a gym at least once a week.

For those with money issues.
2005: I will pay off my bank loan promptly.
2006: I will pay off my bank loans promptly.
2007: I will begin making a strong effort to be out of debt by 2008.
2008: I will be totally out of debt by 2009.
2009: I will try to pay off my debt interest by 2010.
2010: I will check with my accountant about filing for bankruptcy.

If we think we need to make resolutions, why not these two:
1. I will love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
2. I will love my neighbor as myself.

Holy Thinking!

In Philippians 4:8 the Bible tells us to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Some folks aren't alert to just what they are thinking and neither are they alert as to the source of the thoughts. We are living in an hour where our senses are inundated with garbage. This garbage is intended to direct our thoughts to those things we shouldn't be thinking about. I can only speak for myself, but I for one want purity and clarity of thought. We serve a Holy God and are instructed to be a Holy people. There is a direct correlation between what we think about and what we are. Let's be Holy thinkers!

Almost Here!

Christmas is almost here and the children are getting excited and perhaps many of the adults are as well. Not only is Christmas almost here but the end of this year is also almost here. Are there things that need to be finished in our lives before years end? It is important to live our lives where our consciences are void of offenses toward God and all men. We should be living daily with hearts void of offenses towards all. Can we honestly say that we are living this way? I hope that all can and will live this way for anything else is dishonest. Christmas is almost here, year's end is almost here, and perhaps His second coming is almost here.

Let Your Light Shine!

Have you seen many Christmas lights yet? It is always fun to see the different lights that people put up at Christmas. Do you ever wonder how many folks know that Jesus said that he was the light of the world and that those who follow him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. Jesus told those who heard his sermon on the mount that they were the light of the world.(Matthew 5:14) In verse 16 of the same chapter he said, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." I wonder just how much light we put out to the world around us. Maybe as much as a 5 watt bulb or a 25 watt or 50 watt or 75 watt or just perhaps some as much as 100 watts. In the dark of night a 5 watt bulb helps a great deal and a 100 watt bulb seems like a spotlight. May the Lord help each of us to put out as much light as possible for folks to be drawn to the light.

Discerning the signs of the times!

Even though it was forecast to snow yesterday, it didn't. This forecasting in the Rocky Mountain region is tricky and often the forecasters get it wrong. Jesus said to some Pharisees and some Sadducees in Matthew 16:2-3, "When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" How are we at discerning the face of the sky? How are we at discerning the signs of the time? Look at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 for some helps at discerning the signs of the times. Also look at Matthew chapter 24 for more insight. Blessings to you in your studies.