“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
Isaiah 43:18-19
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
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Could resolving to live life on purpose reduce anxiety? Could it reduce the fear of the mountains we face? Who isn’t experiencing anxiety these days? We are all experiencing it on different levels at different times. From making simple decisions as to what will I wear today to what’s our world gonna look like in six months?
What’s causing anxiety and stress for you today? Do you feel like you have no choices? Too many choices? Last week we saw Daniel resolving or choosing not to eat the choice foods from the king’s table. Where do you think he was experiencing anxiety? Was it being true to God or in refusing to eat the king’s food? There were consequences to either choice. What or who do you think he was more anxious about?
God had a purpose for Daniel and Daniel chose to live that life on purpose for God. Daniel feared God more than King Nebuchadnezzer. Daniel knew the consequences of not continuing to remain faithful to God. Resolving or choosing to remain faithful to God eliminated the fear and consequences of that choice. What did Daniel have to fear if he knew he was remaining faithful to God?
King Nebuchadnezzer couldn’t deny Daniel and his three friends were in better health after the ten day trial – Daniel 1:17-21. Daniel resolved not to defile himself, to remain true to God- Daniel 1:8. So what if we applied resolving to how we do things, how we live life? Would that help reduce anxiety in your life. What helps you remain faithful, what have you resolved to do in your walk with God?
From resolving how we handle ourselves in situations to how we choose to remain faithful to God can help us live lives of integrity and amidst anxiety and in chaos. Taking a test causes anxiety for many students. But the student who is diligent in their studies and in some cases seeks a tutor for those difficult subjects will have more confidence in passing a test. The student has resolved or planned to pass by choosing to take the steps needed to pass. The same can be applied to our walk with God. What do you need to do to ensure you are being anchored in God’s Word? Does an app help you, joining a small group at church or an accountability partner? What helps you keep on track with any New Year resolution, fitness trackers, a workout partner, joining gym? What keeps you on track with how you live life, controlling anger and emotions, behaviors, how you share and live out your faith?
There will be challenges this year that will threaten your resolutions. Your walk with God will be challenged. There will situations that will arise and cause you anxiety. What can you do to help limit or eliminate the anxiety and set you up for a victory? What will you resolve to do this year to anchor in Hope, anchor in God’s Word and share your faith? Will you choose resolve and live a life of integrity?
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
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Resolutions. Every year we all set new goals to eat better, to exercise more, to read more, to learn more, to give more, etc. And by the time March comes around we find ourselves derailed and so far off course we tend to throw in the towel and give up. Some people are more disciplined and they just pick up where they left off and continue on like nothing happened and I applaud them. They are the kind of folks that are resolute; they have integrity and motivation.
Depending on what it is that I have set my mind to, I can become derailed and then pick up where I left off. Like being organized. I can start out strong and before you know life happens, I get busy and anything that was once organized now looks like a war zone. But if I want to continue to locate items and make cleaning up easier, I can jump back on the wagon and clean up like nothing ever happened. Working out, well that’s one area in which I can easily fail. My workouts become sporadic at best. Consistency, HA! Out the window!
But, Daniel and his friends in the Bible is a great example of resolution, integrity, and consistency. Daniel was kidnapped, taken from his home, from his family, from all that he ever knew, and taken to Babylon by the order of King Nebuchadnezzer to serve in the the king’s palace. There at the palace they would be trained for three years. During this training Daniel was given choice food from the king’s table. This food was rich, fatty food that was not a part of Daniel’s Jewish heritage.
But in Daniel 1:8, “Daniel resolved not to defile himself” by not eating the food from the king’s table. Instead he asked to eat what he had been eating and then after ten days Daniel and his friends would be compared to the others who had eaten from the king’s table. It was proven that Daniel and his friends were in better condition than the others who had eaten the king’s food. In Daniel 6:10 – “Daniel always prayed to God three times every day. Three times every day, he bowed down on his knees to pray and praise God.” Daniel was consistent.
You may know the rest of the story where Daniel ends up in the lion’s den for not bowing down to King Darius. Daniel was found guilty of not obeying the law and the penalty was to be thrown into the lion’s den. But, God recognized Daniel’s integrity and devotion to Him. in Verse 21 we see where God shut the mouths of the lions and Daniel’s life was spared. This caused Kind Darius to recognize who the God of this universe is and issued a decree that everyone was to worship Daniel’s God – verse 25. I encourage you to read the first six chapters of Daniel if you’re not familiar with the book of Daniel.
2020 has passed and we are all hoping for a better 2021. I can’t predict what the future holds, but I know this, our faith will be challenged and the resolutions we’ve made will be challenged. How will you resolve to get back on track when you are derailed, when you are tempted to cheat on your diet or workout? Or how will you resolve when your faith is tested? I know the God I serve, the God we serve as Christians, will deliver us from whatever challenge we face – Daniel 3:17. We can resolve and have integrity as Daniel did and trust God.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NRSV)
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
God’s mercies are new every morning. Each day God gives us is another day for us to glorify Him. We are sinners let’s face it, we fail everyday in our own strength. We miss the mark daily, we can never measure up to holiness without the Blood of Jesus Christ. God gives us a new day to start over, to get things right with Him. God is a God of second and third chances, of many, many chances. We get a “do over” everyday. After 2020 we need a “do over.” Wouldn’t you agree?
What new things are you going to do with each new day God has given you? What new things are you going to do that will draw you nearer to God? How will you kedge in 2021?
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Here’s to a Blessed New Year! Funny when I started this blog a year ago, I never in a million years would have thought 2020 would have turned out as it did. I had to go back and read those words again to remind myself God is still in control. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, well, maybe it the cynicism in me, but telling someone to be happy is like telling someone to not worry.
Happiness is a choice; so is worry. We can choose to be happy despite our feelings or our circumstances. Doesn’t mean we are doing cartwheels, but our hearts can still be thankful as hard as that may be at times. We can be thankful IN circumstances – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 because the joy of the Lord is our strength – Nehemiah 8:10 ( hmmm, that may be another blog post soon, stay tuned).
So as we enter into 2020 we can choose to advance with fear or faith, happiness or worry. And as uncertain as the future may seem, one fact remains that is certain, God still sits on the throne. He is in control. He holds our future. So what’s to fear? Fear is not from God – 1 Timothy 1:7. Will we be fearful at times? Yes! We are human and God knows this and it’s at those times He wants us to come to Him, to draw near, to toss out our kedge anchor and pull closer to Him – James 4:8-10. God is not surprised by us becoming fearful. I have tried to be “brave” in front of God. Know what? It’s exhausting. There is a quote, “When I acknowledge my fear, it loses it’s power.” (unknown). When I acknowledge my fear to my Father, it loses it’s power and I am free to live in faith. God is gracious and won’t condemn us when we become fearful – Psalm 145:8.
So instead of wishing everyone a Happy New Year, I am wishing all who read this a Blessed New Year!!
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Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
Luke 2:14
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There’s no denying it’s been a rough year; one that I am sure we all will remember and one we probably want to forget. But there is one thing thing we should remember and never forget. And that is the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. From the cradle to the grave Jesus Christ sacrificed His life for us so that we could spend eternity with Him – John 3:16.
Jesus left His rightful throne in Heaven, in glory, to be born as a human so that He could experience everything we experience here on earth. He understands our sorrow, our disappointments, our discouragements, our failures, our temptations, our physical and emotional pain. He understands our happiness, our success, He understands it all and nothing surprises Him about us, nothing goes unnoticed. He is the Alpha and Omega – Revelation 22:13.
We don’t know what the new year will have for us. But, be encouraged, God goes before us and He is before us in the future, in 2021. He is sovereign and knows all that will happen next year. As we go into 2021 and we set goal and make plans, invite God into those goals and plans. We make plans but God directs our steps – Proverbs 16:9. Resolve to “Get Hooked” on God’s Word so that when life hits you are anchored in His truths with a Hope that’s steadfast and secure. God is waiting for us to reach out to Him. I encourage you to walk into the new year with Him.
So no matter how rough the waters in the new year become, “getting hooked” in God’s Word and in His truths will anchor us so that the storm may rage but we will stand firm. And let us not forget the birth of Jesus and the sacrifices He made for us and remember the Hope that has come.
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But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
Luke 2:10
“Do not be afraid…” the words from the angel that visited the shepherds in the field the night Jesus was born. Jesus was born during time where there was violence, chaos, social and political unrest, much of what we see today. Over 2000 years ago three wise kings followed a star that was the alignment of three stars. Fast forward to today December 21, 2020 where the Winter Solstice will bring us two planets, Jupiter and Saturn aligning on the day where the daylight is the shortest and the night sky is the longest.
How appropriate that this should happen today as a reminder that Jesus came into the world at that time on literally the darkest day. He came as a light in the middle of the chaos to bring us peace. Reminds me of that song, “Here I am to Worship” by Tim Hughes, Randy Travis sings it. “Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness, opened my eyes, let me see. Beauty that made this heart adore you, hope of a life spent with you …”
That’s what the shepherds did in the field that night. They went to “see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” – Luke 2:15. They sought Jesus laying in a manger, bowed down and worshipped Him.”O Come Let Us Adore Him.”
Let today December 21, 2020 be a reminder to us that Jesus came to be a light, seek and save the lost and bring peace. This is the “good news that will cause great joy for all people.”
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Silent Night, The Little Drummer Boy, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing! What is your favorite Christmas song? Perhaps you lean toward a more contemporary version such as Where is Christmas or maybe the child in you comes alive when you hear the Peanuts theme song (Linus and Lucy) or Frosty the Snowman. Whatever style comes alive in you, song and music play an important part in Getting Hooked.
Throughout the Bible, music is used to celebrate, bring comfort to our souls, and glorify God. In 1 Samuel 16:23 David played the lyre for Saul when he was troubled and it would calm Saul’s soul. The angels sang in Luke 2:10-1. While the angels may not have been actually singing as some believe, I do believe they were praising God the night Christ was born. Their praises may not have been a song of organized notes but perhaps that like a Gregorian chant but more majestic and full of a harmonious sound. Then there’s Mary’s Song in Luke 1:46-56, can be described as a poem, a hymn of praise, a song to God glorifying God for the wonderful thing He was doing through her for the salvation of the world.
Putting words to music is one way to help us remember. Think of ad jingles. Once those are in your head you can’t shake them. Many contemporary Christian artists have written songs that have been inspired by scripture. How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin was inspired by 2 Chronicles 2:5 and Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty can be seen in Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8.
Even God sings over us in Zephaniah 3:17 – “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Wow! God sings over us! The God of this universe sings over us! We sing to Him and He sings over us!
Now if you are musically inclined and very creative, putting a scripture verse to music can help you memorize. And if you don’t have a musical bone in your body, who says the composition has to be perfect as long as you can remember it. What song has God put in your ear or on your heart today? A Christmas song? A song of praise or a song of worship? Practicing praising God in song whether you sing it or just listen to it will Get you Hooked.
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The Kedge Anchor 
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