Happy New Year, everyone! Welcome to 2022!

Godliness:

As we look to make changes in our lives — things like getting out of debt, losing weight, working out, etc. — let’s not forget that bodily exercise profits little. I Timothy 4:8 — For bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having a promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 

Lasting change:

We need to put God first in every area of our lives. We need to be more heavenly minded than earthly minded. God is the only one who can truly change a life — change a heart. So often in the new year people make New Year’s resolutions only to see them set aside after a couple of weeks. Let’s put God first and believe God for real, lasting change. Let’s seek Him, and seek Him as we never have.

Priorities:

Let’s put God first, spiritual things first, not natural ones. People will go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week and make it a priority. But maybe they’ll go to church once every 4 to 5 weeks, and if they are really dedicated, maybe once every two weeks. It’s no wonder believers are not stronger. It’s about priorities. God first!

So, when thinking about changes we want to make for this new year, maybe we could make church a priority, God’s word a priority, and prayer a priority. Just maybe be more heavenly minded in 2022!

Just a thought,

PSS

Resilience is defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, toughness, an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Resilience is a skill that can and should be developed. It will improve your ability to deal with life’s setbacks.

Characteristics of resilience:

Resilient people are aware of situations, their own emotional reactions, and the behavior of those around them.

Another characteristic of resilience is the understanding that life is full of challenges. This is one skill that will help us move forward and succeed in life.

Resilience gives you a sense of control. Do you perceive yourself as having control over your own life, or are you constantly blaming outside sources for failures and problems? What we need to understand is that all of us have the ability to make choices that will affect our situation, our ability to cope, and our future.

Resilient people are able to find solutions to life’s setbacks — they never give up or quit. They take the hit and then see the solution and move forward. They will identify as a survivor, not a victim.

Inflexibility:

The opposite of being resilient is being depressed or constantly unhappy, being hard, inflexible, rigid. We are developing skills, characteristics, whether we realize it or not. The question is, “Are we developing the skill of being depressed, the skill of unhappiness, or the skill of being resilient?” The choice is yours. Are you rigid, or do you roll with the punches? Are you inflexible or flexible, willing to change? Your call.

I pray you make the right decision.

Just a thought,

PSS

Lately, because of certain circumstances, I’ve begun thinking about personal convictions vs what the Bible teaches. Romans 14:23 — But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. In other words, if it is not written, and you are convicted by doing or not doing something, you are sinning.

Personal convictions:

When it comes to these types of convictions, they are about you and no one else. When the Bible teaches it, it is about you personally. You should never put these types of convictions on anyone else. For example, I get convicted over the words “shut up.” It’s my conviction, so I don’t use it. But I don’t care if anyone else uses it. It doesn’t bother me at all. Why? Because it is my conviction.

Mind your own business:

Some of us don’t like movies or theaters, so we don’t go. If others go, it is none of our business. God doesn’t say movie theaters are wrong. This is a personal conviction. When the Bible is clear on something, then we should honor that. We always submit to the Bible. But so many want others to live by theirpersonal convictions, and if they don’t, they are out — they separate themselves. What they don’t realize is that they themselves are deceived and are in sin.

Deceptive judgment:

God leads and guides by His word. People like this major on the minors — “throw the baby out with the bath water” sort of speak — and they become more and more deceived, further and further away from God, while believing they are serving Him. They see everyone else’s faults and none of their own.

Don’t allow your personal convictions to separate you from God.

Just a thought,

PSS

I’ve been thinking about the question, “Why?” a lot lately. 

Gain understanding:

So much happening. We have seen so many great servants go home to be with the Lord — great men and women who loved God and served him faithfully. We have also seen our share of tragedy as well. And I can’t help but be tempted to ask God why this is happening, not in a way that questions Him as God, but attempting to gain understanding.

Trust Him:

Then I think that asking God, “Why?” wouldn’t really help. If He gave me an answer, I would probably have another why. God wants us to trust Him, even when something doesn’t make any sense to us whatsoever. I believe that’s why He tells us not to rely on our understanding, but put our trust in Him. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

Father knows best:

We feel the pain, sting of loss, and we don’t like it.  Well, I don’t anyway. So, when I’m tempted to ask God, “Why?” I think about Deuteronomy 29:29a — The secret things belong to the Lord our God.There are just some things we won’t ever know. So, it comes back to trusting Him — that He truly knows best!

Trust Him with all your heart.

Just a thought,

PSS

’Tis the season is used to indicate a particular time of the year.

The season:

This is the season of the Lord Jesus’ birth. The reason we celebrate that birth. A time when the whole world was changed forever. A time when the Savior of the world came to the earth in the most vulnerable, humble fashion — as a baby.

The reason:

But Jesus didn’t stay a baby. He grew and gave His life as the Savior of the world that anyone who would believe on Him would be saved from eternal death, saved from hell. A season that He died for our sins that we could be forgiven. All we have to do is believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus, and He will fill us with His Holy Spirit, and save us from being separated from God forever. A season to remember what is really important.

The presence:

For many, this time of year is all about presents and parties. It’s sad to me that Christmas has become so commercialized that the real meaning has been lost. It should be about the greatest gift ever given. Jesus — Immanuel — God with us. To be grateful and thankful for His sacrifice. Let us never mistake parties and presents as the reason for the season.

Let us all reflect on our lives and make sure the real reason for the season is Jesus in our lives.

Just a thought,

PSS