Inauguration Day in the USA. And Hope!

 This is a title that will seem like scrambled eggs.  All mixed up. Let’s see if I can make any sense.  

The USA has had many ups and downs the last several years.  I will not get into politics, but we desperately have needed hope.  As we know many try to get hope from all the wrong places. But many of us know who authors hope, who gives hope, the Creator of hope, and is HOPE itself.  Jesus Christ is hope. So why do we look elsewhere?  

Today is Inauguration Day in the USA.  Our newly voted in President was sworn in to be our President for the next four years.  Along with a new vice-president.  This day brought many extremes of hope or hopelessness.  Depending on your belief.  I will focus on the hope.  This new president depicts hope for the majority of the population.  Financially, peace, protection, and prosperity, among many other issues.  This brings hope to the people of our country.  It is a very exciting hope just to see so many filled with high expectations.  There was very high energy and excitement.  That’s encouraging to see.  Our country needs that. 

What does this have to do with Jesus?  I believe everything.  Jesus is hope.  He encourages us to have hope. He tells us hope will not disappoint.  But we must trust in Him, believe in Him. The Bible is full of verses about hope. Some popular verses:

“and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14   

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“For I know the plans I have for you” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you” — this is the Lord’s declaration — 

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Jesus is our hope and our future.  He has promised us.  He is here for us.  How do I tie this into our new President?  The Lord has given us a new hope in this president.  He has given us a confidence in this new administration.  We may not always agree with decisions they make. But Jesus says rely on Him.  Lean into Him and pray for our country, our leaders, and for hope. 

My prayer for you readers, is that you can find that hope that comes from Jesus.  Hold onto it tightly.He never leaves us stranded.  

Happy New Year

Wow, here we are again, another new year.  And not only another year, but now we are 2025.  It seems like yesterday everyone was in a panic over Y2K.  I say everyone loosely.  I was not, and so many others were not.  Why?  Our trust is in Jesus.  Now a quarter of a century has passed since then.  We have faced so many other disasters, trials, hardships since the year 2000.  

So  how will we approach this year, 2025? I would hope with eager anticipation of what the Lord has in store for us this year.  How will He use me?  Where will He take me?  To whom will He have me speak to?  The list can go on and on.  And it is NOT all about me.  It is about His will, including my family, your family. We do not walk this life alone.  He has placed us within a family, within a church family, within a circle of friends, and more.  

Have you ever wondered why Jesus puts us with others to walk with us, when we have Him walking with us?  For one thing, we are in the flesh.  We still walk in the flesh.  That is where our weaknesses are. But also we all do not have the same gifts, or knowledge , or experience.  Therefore we rely on our brothers and sisters to help us minister to others more effectively. 

 “There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope at your calling — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭HCSB

We work together and enhance one another, we complement one another with our own gifts and strengths.  And they do the same for us.  

“And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

The Word of God spells it out for us.  I know for me, I’ve read these verses over and over.  Yet I need to remind myself over and over about these verses.  I need to read them over and over.  And walk in these truths over and over.  

This is so encouraging.  Knowing we are not alone.  And knowing even those that actually walked with Jesus day by day in the flesh needed reminding.  There isn’t anything wrong with us.  We are who God made us to be.  He has enabled us in the gifts He has chosen for us.  And He will use us how He intends for us to be used.  

I truly hope that you all are encouraged by these words.  Do not feel useless or down on yourself.  Jesus has the perfect job lined up for you.  Do not fret.  It may even take longer than you thought.  Jesus has your timeline prepared.  And He is constantly perfecting it.  

Start the new year of 2025 with enthusiasm and gusto.  Ready to take His Word to the streets and to others.  Get ready to be used by God.  Amen  

A Living Hope

I’ve been thinking about Christmas as most of us are.  So many thoughts go through our heads.  So as I’ve been praying and asking God what He would like me to share, it was more and more evident, I must share what Christmas is truly about. Actually WHOM Christmas is truly about, Jesus! 

I know this should be obvious to us all.  But in the whole world today, there are many who do not believe this.  And if there are many adults who do not believe this, then what do their children believe, and so on.  

Therefore it is up to us to be obedient and share the truth about Christmas.  Doesn’t that seem like a good idea?  How does the song go,  “singing joy for all to hear”. 

There is a verse in 1Peter that tells us of a Living hope.  

“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

1‭‭Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

A living hope. That’s right, Jesus is our Living Hope. God loves us so much that He had His Son, born in the flesh, feel what we feel.  Think what we think.  And many other things that distract us.  He knew we wouldn’t have a chance without giving us a Living Savior, in flesh and blood. Who understands us.  Who went to battle for us, fought and won.  He now has the keys to death and life, and holds them securely for us.   You may be thinking, what am I talking about? Or what does this have to do with Christmas? Answer, everything! 

Christmas,  the day our Savior was born. Yes, born in the flesh.  Our Savior, our Living Hope.  This is what Christmas  is about.  Celebrating the birth of our living Savior, our hope, our eternal salvation .  This is what Christmas is.  It’s not all about the gifts.  There is nothing wrong with giving or receiving gifts.  Not at all.  But if we let them become more important than celebrating Jesus, then we have strayed a bit.  We took our eyes off of Jesus and had more emphasis on the “stuff”.  

So over the next several days leading into Christmas I ask you to look at the Scriptures about our Savior being born, rejoicing and celebrating Him.  Enjoy being with your family and loved ones.  

Merry Christmas to my faithful readers.  

#MerryChristmas. #HappyBirthdayJesus #WonderfulSavior  #livinghope 

Renewing of the Mind!

 In Romans chapter 12:2 it tells us to renew our minds so that we may be able to discern what is good.  

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

I was thinking about this verse today.  Praying it into my life, and my family’s lives.  When I was quietly pondering over this verse what came to mind was the power there is in that single verse.  Yes, power.  Throughout the Scriptures Jesus tells us over and over that our words have power.  Think about it, if our words have power through the help of Jesus, can you imagine how strong the power of Jesus’ words are.  He speaks and it is done.  He thinks it, and it’s done.  He heals, He provides, He supplies, all through His powerful words.  

Well Jesus tells us about that power and how it can change our lives in an instant.  He tells us in the above verse in Romans to renew our minds.  I believe that doesn’t mean just do it once.  But daily, and throughout the day, read a verse, pray that verse into your mind, be pro-active with the verse.  Read it, pray it, act it out.  Make that verse come alive in you.  Whatever verse it is, Jesus has a message in that verse for you, and for others.  

Wow this is so exciting.  Jesus has a specific word for me today and everyday.  He has a specific action for me to do through that word.  The encouraging part of this is I do not have to be a Word Scholar, or a Biblical Scholar, or any other scholar.  I just have to be me, in who God made me.  I don’t have to put on a show, or try to be better than the others.  But I do have to have that relationship with Jesus, filled with His Holy Spirit, be filled with the discernment He promised to give  me, by renewing my mind through His Word, and trusting in Him.  

That may seem like a lot.  But it isn’t.  Think about all Jesus has done and continues to do for us.  I think we can spare a little time with Him everyday.  

We are entering the best time of the year to step out in faith and allow Jesus to use you.  First is thanksgiving.  Wow what a time to share about Him and how blessed we are because of Jesus, and how thankful we are.  And then the whole Christmas season.  Oh my, our script has already been written.  We just have to be bold enough to let the world know who we are celebrating.  The one day a year when the birth of Jesus is celebrated by millions of people.  That makes it quite easy for us.  

I encourage you faithful readers, beginning with thanksgiving, walk everyday of this whole holiday season with just one word on your mind.  Or a verse on your mind.  Allow Jesus to light up your face, and let others be drawn to the Light because of your obedience and openness to step out in faith, and be a servant of our Christ Jesus.  

Thanksgiving!

‬‬  “in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭18

As we get more into November we get closer to the first of our “big” holidays.  Thanksgiving.  I can remember my parents and their generation often saying how they liked Thanksgiving most of all.  As a child or teen I couldn’t figure that out.  Especially the work put into Thanksgiving dinner.  We had a large extended family with lots of cousins.  So we just played all day while the adults worked hard in the kitchen.  We often gathered at our Grandparents home. We looked at thanksgiving as the countdown to Christmas.  As a child that was exciting.  

But then I became an adult.  And we had a son of our own.  And our parents became the grandparents.  Many of our aunts and uncles have passed away.  Our cousins having their own extended families.  We all were going in different directions.  Those were the days I longed for the older days.  I missed the gatherings with our large family. I then understood why they were more excited for thanksgiving.  Reliving those days of long ago when we were all together.  

I find myself today wishing for the same with our son and his family.  But he lives a great distance from us.  Two full days of travel.  It hasn’t worked out for us to get there for the major holidays.  Thanksgiving and Christmas!  And we sure miss them.  

However, just because we are miles apart, we can still make our holidays special.  We still have family close by.  And every holiday with them we cherish all the more.  

So as we gather together with those we love, let’s give thanks to Jesus for the family He has given us. 

Let’s honor Him with our conversations, mannerisms, generosity, and praise.  He is our Father in heaven.  And we should have His place setting at the head of our tables.  He has given us so very much.  We can at least invite Him to dinner.  

I pray for you all, faithful readers, that as you gear up for a wonderful season with family, near and far, you feel the love of family.  The love Jesus has for us during these  special times ahead.  Let it warm your hearts and fill you with an abundance of “Thanksgiving “.  

TIME TO PRAY AND ACT!

The times of change in a year we call seasons. When the leaves change colors in the fall we notice God’s beauty He has painted for us.  The natural beauty that occurs every year.  Then we get the first snowfall. Most of us will agree that it looks so peaceful and pristine.  For the first day anyway .  Then usually only halfway through winter we are anxious for the first signs of spring to appear. We look for the first green blade of grass to appear. We look closely for the first little flowers to pop up out of the dirt.  Then pretty soon we are snipping us a bouquet from the spring flowers.  We see new growth, and new birth with wildlife and little songbirds.  So delightful.  And finally, summer appears.   More flowers, more birds, some wildlife that can cause some destruction, some bees to pollinate, and beautiful skies to look at in the evening.  It all sounds beautiful and heavenly.  Then in an instant we hear the news, we try to fill our vehicle with gas, and pay an unbelievable amount for butter, eggs, milk, and the rest of our groceries while trying to choose only healthy options.  Reality hits us hard at times.  

Oh and there is more.  In just a couple of weeks we have the privilege of voting for men and women into the public offices that need filling.  By now most of us know who we are voting for.  I hope we all have prayed hard about our decisions.  Do not trust in everything you read and hear in the news.  But trust in our Lord Jesus in whom we pray to. He is in control.  But remember, we must ask Him.  He is not going to come barging in and make everything new and perfect unless we ask Him.  Why not?  Because He has given us the gift of praying for our needs and asking Him to help us, guide us, lead us, and save us.  He has said in Scripture to humble ourselves, seek him, and pray.  Then He will heal our land. And boy does our land need healing.

I encourage all of you, pray, seek His face, repent and humble ourselves.  And take action.  Yes take action.  He has not made us to be lazy and lethargic in our daily walk.  But to get up, get moving, and take action. This is our land God created.  This is our home for now.  Let’s come together and do what is best for our land and our people.  

I will not tell you how to vote.  That is God’s place, not mine.  But I will encourage you to pray and take action.  Vote.  Trust and believe God will take care of us.  

“and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

The New Jerusalem, Heaven

 Revelation 21:9-27

The New Jerusalem, and Heaven. What will it be like?  The Scriptures tell us it will be glorious.  Beautiful colors of violet and white.  Streets lined with gold. And chairs made from cedars of Lebanon, seats of purple.  

For the last six or more weeks we have watched our landscape turn from green to beautiful colors of yellow, gold, orange, various shades of red, along with the left over greens and browns.  The colors have been stunning.  How can someone say God doesn’t exist, or He doesn’t care about us. Just look around.  Quietly sit and relax.  Take it all in.  Our God is a big God, who loves us with everything He has.  So much so that He paints our landscape, our trees, and even our horizons with beautiful sunsets and sunrises.  We have even had an extra treat this year.  It was about midway through summer, into September and October, we had the pleasure of seeing the “Northern Lights “ from our own backyards, parks, streets, and so on. This is the first time in all of my life that I have seen the beautiful dancing of the Aurora Borealis across our sky in the Northeast USA. My whole life.  I was thrilled, I felt flabbergasted.  Me, just a very tiny spec in this vast universe we live in.  And God let me see this beautiful and glorious masterpiece of His.   

Some of you may be thinking “no big deal”.  But it is a big deal.  Can you or I paint a masterpiece across the sky?  Can we tell the leaves when to turn colors?  Of course not. So our Lord Jesus does it purely for our pleasure.  

What does this have to do with the New Jerusalem?  I believe everything.  God knows we will be overwhelmed when we see our New Jerusalem and our new home.  So He’s giving us glimpses of what it will be like.  When we get there, Jesus will have it ready for us.  

I know for me I will do everything I can, everything Jesus asks of me, to be sure my name is written in the Book of Life, and my new address on one of those golden streets. And I pray the same for you my faithful readers.  Be excite.  God has a beautiful home prepared for you. It is our job to hear Jesus, listen to Him, and obey Him.  Be pro-active.