I am going to say it and give everyone a break from the past few years and where your mind may have gone. To show you how this year is going to be a great year, let’s start off with some promises made to us, which provide a reminder of the greatness of the lives we are living.
Each promise brings us hope of a greater tomorrow and a better year. You and I can begin today and create a better day today for a better life tomorrow. We are do not by adjusting our vision and purpose, along with our mindset. Instead of seeing the negative of teh world, let us focus on the positive promises we have.
Give yourself a moment and consider the promises on this list. On one hand they are simple, and on the other hand they are huge. Their benefits are beyond our imagination.
“Ten Promises for a Better Year!”
1. The Promise of a Gift— “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4.7; ESV)
2. The Promise of the Son — “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2.29-32; ESV)
3. The Promise of the Spirit — “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8.26; ESV)
4. The Promise of God — “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13.5; ESV)
5. The Promise of a Rainbow — “When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” (Genesis 9.16; ESV)
6. The Promise of a Crown — “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4.8; ESV)
7. The Promise of Better Promises — “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.” (Hebrews 8.6; ESV)
8. The Promise of Cleansing — “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1.7; ESV)
9. The Promise of Forgiveness — “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you…” (Matthew 6.14; ESV)
10. The Promise of Heaven — “And this is the promise that he made to us–eternal life.” (1 John 2.25; ESV)
What are some promises that you will add to the list?
Supply change management and organization mean something different today than it did 5 years ago. The necessity of a good supply chain is the core of many businesses today amid the shortages and
During this most recent shortage of goods, the owner of Ty Beanie Babies company, Ty Warner, assured his customers that “I’m here to tell our customers that Christmas is not canceled.” Mr. Warner took action on his words by chartering flights to and from China, to bring the toys to his customers.
To date, over 150 flights have been chartered to deliver the toys to the United States for Christmas. The Beanie Babies that may not have arrived in time for Christmas were flown out of China on a chartered jet because Mr. Warner knew the importance of his product in the lives of people. The reason for this massive effort is that Mr. Warner said, “There’s too much doom and gloom out there.” He wanted to bring happiness to the world.
Are we, as Christians, willing to take the same measures to share the gospel?
Are we willing to take the gospel to the world? Wo a world to “too much doom and gloom.” We have the saving power of Jesus Christ. (Romans 1.16).
Have we shared the message of Jesus to others so they can be brought out of the “doom and gloom?” (Jude 1.23)
Prayer is one of the best opportunities we have, as Christians, to help others. Prayer is the pouring out of our souls to the Father, showing our dependance on power.
James tells the brethren that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5.16; ESV) As follower of Christ, we know that God hears our prayers, and His ears are open to our words (1 Peter 3.12).
Below are a few areas you might include in your prayers to God this week.
Your congregation – We are brothers and sisters in Christ and need each other’s support.
Your elders – Yourshepherds are the stewards of the flock of God overseeing our souls.
Your deacons – Your deacons serve in many ways many people never see.
Your ministers – Your Ministers need your prayers as we stand before you each week.
Your City and Region – Pray for our area as we seek to share the message of Christ.
The Unfaithful – There are many who have stopped attending and they need our prayers.
Those Seeking – There are those in our community which are seeking to find Christ. Pray for them and pray that God will provide us the opportunity to share the message with them.
The Grieving – This time of year brings grieving hearts as we remember people and memories of the past.
In his book, Praying Over God’s Promises, Tom Yeakley shares his family’s tradition of making butter during the Thanksgiving holiday. Most families have traditions during the holidays, but I would not imagine many have a tradition of making butter.
As the Thanksgiving holiday draws near, the family begins the tradition practice of making homemade butter for Thanksgiving dinner. The process is simple and unique. The cream is placed in a jar with the lid sealed tight and everyone takes turns shaking the jar. As the shaking process continues, several family members get tired because it seems like the cream will never turn to butter.
Then it happens. Almost in the blink of an eye, the cream begins to gel into a lump of butter. When the results of all the shaking occur, the delight in seeing the year’s “Thanksgiving butter” creates a smile.
Much of what we are thankful for is like the process of making homemade butter. Great things take patience and actions to see the result. We will not see the result when we first begin, but as Paul said, “…let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6.9)
Paul’s words in Philippians 3 also remind us, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
But, what about those results we are still, after progressing, are not seeing yet? Are you praying while you are “shaking the jar?”
Allow me to share with you four ways to discard your life of spiritual negativity. While these four ways might now work for everyone, they will work for someone. One of these ways might be the start to the process you need to live a joyful life for the Father.
Just Stop
This is hard, yet for many, it is easy. When you realize your thoughts and words, you become a better person. Consider Paul’s words in Philippians 4.8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
We know our thoughts come out in our speech (Matthew 15.11, 18). Let us be sure our thoughts are right, so our speech will be right. For many, just stop being negative.
Stop Living in the Past
While we know the words of Paul in Philippians 3.12-15, many will choose to focus on a past life instead of pressing forward. Remember, God has plans for us, just as He did Jeremiah, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29.11) The past is behind us for a reason; let us move forward in the righteousness of God. (1 John 4.4)
Talk with God
Have you talked with God (prayed) about being a more positive, joyful person? Paul writes a list of attributes of a Christian in Romans 12. Consider Romans 12.12 where Paul says, “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer…” It would be worth noting that joy and prayer are attributes of a Christian.
Surround Yourself with Positive People
This is probably the one most people need. We need surrounded by those of like-mind and like-faith. We need people in our life to encourage us. (See Hebrews 3.13)
Every now and then, I believe it does the mind good to step out of our comfort zones and think. We can think about many things, but today, I want to challenge you with a few questions regarding spiritual matters. Consider these questions to be about encouragement and action.
These are intended to be thought about for a little while. I call them, “Questions to Ponder.” The word “ponder” is defined as, “think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.”
I would ask that you ponder these questions, then decide to act.
Who have you encouraged this week from your spiritual family?
When is the last time you read your Bible for 15 minutes?
How have you grown in your spiritual life this week?
Where will you be on Sunday morning?
Who was not here on Sunday that you sent a message too?
Are your friends encouraging you to be a better Christian?
Are you a Christian?
Is there someone you need say, “Thank you” to, because of their spiritual support?
What are your plans to grow spiritually in October?
What are your plans on December 12, 2021?
Sometimes, the right question, at the right time, can make us think outside of our normal routine. Consider what we can do today to make a better life in the future. What are your answers to those questions?
