Year: 2020

In looking toward 2021, I began to consider what God would have me focus on as the new year begins. For the past few years I have found Him directing me toward a specific word that I called my word of the year. Each year that word would help me as the chaos around me ensued, threatening my sanity. It helped me to remember the one I serve and the purpose toward which I am being directed. One year it was purpose, another year it was intentional, and to be perfectly honest I have no idea what my word for 2020 was as it has become somewhat of a blur.

This year though, God has given me the word “transformed” and my verse for the year is Romans 12:2; “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

In 2021, I desire to be “transformed” into a greater likeness of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I want Him to transform me into the servant, wife, mother, friend, mentor . . . that He would have me to be in 2021.

I want Him to transform all areas of my life, but in order to do that I need to spend time in His word seeking Him. I need to allow Him to renew my mind, removing all elements of this world.

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Ephesians 4:23-24 “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

We know not what the year ahead may hold for any of us, but I know the one that is able to transform each moment and each day into exactly what He intends. My prayer for 2021 is to be “transformed” that He may accomplish His will in and through my life.

What word might God be directing you toward ? Is it courage, joy, gratitude, hope ? So many words that He can give, each one a help to us as we seek to follow His direction. Instead of New Year Resolutions this year, what about selecting a word that you can focus on as you seek His will for you in 2021. I’d love to hear what word you select and why, we are all in this together.

How often have the words barely escaped my lips or the choice I made been regretted before it ever fully came to be? Moments when my heart sank within me as realization dawned that I had acted without careful consideration to what I was saying or doing.

Looking back upon those moments I know oh too well that I acted within my own prideful nature. I responded from a heart full of self, without regard to what my Lord would have had me say or do. In those moments I failed to embrace the wisdom found by humbling myself before God seeking His guidance and instruction.

“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

So how do I obtain wisdom, how do I gain the ability to select my words more carefully or make choices aligned with what God would have me do? How do I embrace wisdom?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments : his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111:10

“For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee” Proverbs 2:6,10-11

Discretion, that’s what I need on a daily basis. I need the discretion to know when to speak and when to listen. I need discretion to know what to say when it’s time to speak and I need discretion to understand the right choice when decisions need to be made. This is found when I embrace the wisdom that comes by immersing myself in God’s word, spending time with Him, and allowing Him to instruct me. From my time spent with God I will gain knowledge and understanding, then and only then will I be able to possess wisdom. When I receive His instruction, I gain understanding that enables me to embrace wisdom.

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” Colossians 1:9-10

Wisdom is to be sought after, to be embraced as a rare and true gift.

“For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” Proverbs 8:11

The older I get the more I realize my own limitation of sight, both literally and figuratively. Within myself I do not possess the ability to see things clearly, for in fact I can not see beyond even the next second of time. That is limitation of sight !!

Even looking back upon the past my sight is limited by my own personal set of internal filters through which I view the past. The way I remember a situation can be quite different from the way someone else remembers the situation. We all bring our own feelings and inner perspective from different angles of personal experience as we view the past; however, God sees both the past and the future in perfect sight.

God sees both inward and outward the hearts and actions of all. He has perfect sight, without limitations. He knows what has happened and all that is yet to happen in perfect sequence of time. So why would I attempt to assess my way forward within the limitation of my own sight? Why do I insist on scoping out future events when my scope is completely out of focus? Why would I rely on my own understanding, knowing my limitations?

I need to look to God for He can clearly see beyond this moment of time all the way forward to eternity. He knows each step that I should take, each word that I should speak, and each thought that I should contemplate as I move toward the next moment of time. He alone should be the guiding force behind each decision that I make.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

One day my limitation of sight will be perfected when I meet my Savior face-to-face. In that moment I will see all things clearly as they were and as they will be.

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” I Corinthians 13:12

But for now, in the limitation of my sight I will trust in Him.

“Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee : because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3

When I was teaching I always had students with a heart to help, a student that wanted to pass out papers, arrange things on my book shelves, clean the room in general, or those that wanted to help grade papers. It always interested me as to which ones were interested in helping compared to those that were not the least inclined to help anyone. Looking back I can still see the faces of those eager to help me. They were not always the students with the highest intellect,the student with the best grades, the most popular student, or the student from the highest socioeconomic standing; but they always had a heart of availability.

On Sunday our pastor spoke of the difference between Saul and David. Saul was the one with all of the apparent strengths and characteristics of a king, while David possessed little that would give indication he would be chosen as king. Yet we read where God referred to David as a man after His own heart.

“But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.” 1 Samuel 13:14

Many times through my life I have felt inadequate for a task that God asked me to do. There have been times when I argued that I was not enough, that I was not talented enough or eloquent enough; yet, God always shows me that it’s not about my ability. He is able, I just need to be available then He will supply the ability. It’s for His Glory, not mine. All I need to have is a heart of availability !!

“The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.” Psalm 104:31

“Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.” Psalm 72:18-19

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” Matthew 2:1-2

Since I was a child I’ve thought of what it must have been like to kneel in the presence of baby Jesus knowing He had come as the Savior of the world; knowing He had come down from Heaven to live among us.

In my mind I could see them worshipping before Him, bringing Him precious gifts to express their heartfelt reverence. Every Christmas as I set up the nativity, I once again ponder and consider this image in my mind.

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11

In my pondering I am reminded that I have the opportunity to worship Him now, just as they did so many years ago. I have the ability to come before Him, knowing Him as my Savior, the one who fulfilled the prophecy as Messiah, the one who came to seek and to save that which was lost.

As beautiful a picture as it might be to think of that first Christmas morning, or the night the wise men knelt before Him, the same sense of wonder can still occur within me as I come before Him to worship Him today. It’s a matter of how I view Him, it’s a matter of how I come before Him.

”But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” John 4:23

I need to come before Him with a true heart ready to worship. I need to worship Him in the true knowledge of who He is, my Lord and Savior. I need to come before Him in true worship, then will I be able to experience Christmas as it was meant to be experienced in true worship.

“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.” Psalm 96:9

This morning I’m thankful it’s Tuesday.

Mondays have a way of compounding what might be less of an issue if faced on a Friday. It is something about looking forward that is more overwhelming than looking back upon a week that is coming to a close.

So, what is it that gives us the perspective to wake up on Tuesday and give it another try?

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knows them that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

In the promises found in God’s Word, I find something to hold on to. I find the strength to try again on Tuesday, as the struggles of Monday are put into perspective. God is my strong hold !! Jesus Christ is the same on Monday as He was on Friday, and He will be the same today. He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Friend; and today, He will make a way.

“And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

We all have things we love to think back upon, and then things we would rather forget; but often we forget things that God has told us to remember.

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me” Isaiah 46:9

I know that often I get busy with the activities of life, becoming encumbered and stressed with all of the things that are going on around me; so much so, that I forget the God that has brought me through so many stressful situations in the past. I forget to remember how He has worked in my life, how He has brought me out of situations that threatened to destroy me. I fail to remember burdens that He has lifted and joy that He has restored, all through His power and direction. I fail to remember and not to forget.

“That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:” Psalm 78:7

“He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:4

“I will remember the works of the Lord : surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” Psalm 77:11

When I remember all that He has done for me, how could I ever forget ? How could I ever turn from His side or fail to keep His commandments? How could I allow my eyes to focus upon this world, when I have experienced within me and around me the magnificent work of my Lord and Savior? How is it that I fail to look upward? How is it that I fail to remember? How is it that I forget?

“When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.” Psalm 42:4

As I contemplate all that He has done, all that He has provided it is with a heart of thanksgiving that I remember Him and the works of His hand.

“The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:2-4

When I think upon Him and all that He has done, it becomes easy to remember and not to forget.

I’ve often thought about the lame men that were healed in the Bible, the two that were instructed to “Rise up and walk”.

“Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” John 5:8

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

If we read further in Acts, we see that the second lame man was so excited he was found praising God for what he had done in his life. “And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God” Acts 3:7-9

I can’t help but wonder just how long he continued to walk, leaping and praising God for what He had done for him. He had been lame, unable to walk for so long. Just how long did the excitement of being able to do what he had always longed to do keep him moving before he grew tired and sat down? How long did he continue to praise God ? All the days of his life? Or was there a point when he grew weary with it all and lost the fire of remembrance ?

This thought then turned my mind inward as I thought about the healing power of Jesus in different areas of my life. The very fact that Jesus saved my soul. Do I still carry the fire of remembrance? Do I continue to praise Him for what He has done in my life? Do I still answer the call to “Rise and Walk” or do I sit down from time-to-time?

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

And then also, if we do remain steadfast and we do continue to “Rise and Walk”, do we continue in the same love for Him that we once had? Or have we lost that driving force that sent us forth to do the work He instilled within our heart to do? Has our walk become more of a formality than a sincere desire to do the work we once loved to do?

“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Revelation 2:2-4

They lost their fire of remembrance. They lost their first love, their zeal of compassion from a heart of love for Jesus and what He had done in their lives. My prayer is that I will remember my first love for Jesus, for all that He has done for me; that I will continue steadfast, answering the call to “Rise and Walk”.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

The walk may not be easy, our labor may seem to be in vain from time to time, but God had promised that there is a purpose for all that He has called us to do. Even when we do not see results, even when we grow weary, the Lord is doing His work through our efforts. We need only continue to “Rise and Walk”.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“Rise and Walk” . . . The Journey isn’t over yet !!!

In a year so unlike any we have ever known before, it’s easy to become disillusioned; 2020 has taken much of what we once knew and turned it inside out. Our way of life has been altered beyond recognition of what we once thought to be normalcy of life. The things we once took delight in are no longer accessible. If left to these thoughts the future could begin to loom ahead as a dark and dismal place; yet there is still a source of delight, a future that can still be bright, comfort that can still be found.

“In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19

When the events of the day become heavy and the joy within our hearts falters, God is there reminding us there is still much in which to delight, He is still the source of delight.

“For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee,” Job 22:26-27a

Our delight should be in God, He has not faltered or changed. 2020 did not take Him by surprise. The end of the story has not changed. In Him we can still find much in which to delight.

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord ; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:2-3

When others have lost there ability to look forward, when the delights of living have faded from their hearts, we have the source of all delight. We know the way of truth in a world where truth has become so hard to find. God is still the way forward, His truth has not altered or changed. In Him we find our source of delight.

“Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4

As we seek Him, as we turn to Him we find that the source of our delight changes. What once brought us a sense of delight fades away in the light of the true source of delight.

“I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8

“Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord ; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isaiah 58:14

We have a promise that the lost of this world do not have, we know that the wicked will not always prosper. There days are numbered, God has already established a bright future for those who continue in His way, finding the source of delight in Him.

“For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be : yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalm 37:10-11

I love to sing the words, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”. A glorious thought to know that my source of hope is in Jesus, to have complete confidence that no matter what comes I’m secure in Him.

“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7

“For thou art my hope, O Lord God : thou art my trust from my youth.” Psalm 71:5

Although thinking about my source of hope brings gladness to my heart, I can not help but pause as I think of all of those without hope. I think about those nights when sleep won’t come and fear sets in with questions that don’t have answers or circumstances that loom ahead with all the unknowns. What do those without a source of hope do in those moments? Who do they turn to? Where do they turn for support and comfort?

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:” Ephesians 2:12

It hurts my heart to think of the agony they must experience in the darkness of night to feel so alone without a source of hope. What do they think of when they look toward the future, or even beyond? What thoughts go through their mind in the darkness?

“So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.” Ecclesiastes 4:1

So it is that I feel God speak to me, stirring within me a burden for those without Him; stirring me to tell the word of hope. He needs me to share what I know, to share my source of hope with others.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

I need to live in such a way that others see this hope in me, that they want the assurance I have in my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. My life needs to give testament to the work that has been done in my life, to the hope that I have as I look to heaven as my eternal home. I need to live so that my life exhibits a positivity that can not be found in the world we currently live. Others need to see that I have not lost hope, that I am looking to the source of hope fully confident in Him.

“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast;” Hebrews 6:19a

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” Psalm 16:9

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13