Matthew 1:18-25 – “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”  22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”  24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.”  NKJV

I have thought many times about what Joseph must have felt when he found that his virgin bride to be was with child.  He could have no concept of the miraculous supernatural event that had transpired to bring about her pregnancy and would have concluded that she had been wanton.  His love for her and his character is demonstrated in the statement that he wanted to ‘dismiss her in private’ not wanting to further embarrass her and maybe it was to hide his shame as well.  He had to be deeply troubled and perplexed as he became aware that the woman he was to marry was pregnant with a child not his.

Imagine the angel of the Lord coming to him in a dream and informing him of what had transpired and how even then most would have been troubled wondering if this was truly a revelation of God or just something fictional.  Even if it was from God how would people react to the news that Mary was pregnant and connect the dots that the child had not been sired by Joseph.  The fact that he honored the dream and kept himself from her until the birth of Jesus speaks of his faith and obedience and that should be recognized.  Little is said or even known about Joseph in the Bible record but I consider him a man of great integrity and faith and while Mary is greatly honored should Joseph not be given credit for his role in this?  Men, sometimes it is not what we do that is noted and praised by others that speaks of our faith but what we do when the full revelation is hidden from other’s eyes.

There is no indication in scripture that he was less than loving and nurturing as a human father to this child and that speaks volumes of his love toward God, Mary and the child.  His faith enabled him to do that which God desired and required and I can only imagine how difficult it must have been initially if not long term.  Thank you Joseph for loving God enough to be obedient, caring for and protecting Mary and the Christ Child.  Thank you (believers) who are faithful even when the tongues wag trying to bring you shame.  Thank you Father for loving us so much!

            God bless you as you go through this day!

Luke 14:16-24 – “Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, 17 and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’  18 But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’  19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’  20 Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’  21 So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’  22 And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’  23 Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.  24 For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.'”  NKJV

            Years ago the Kingsmen released a song entitled “Excuses” and it was spot on as well as hilarious.  I won’t go into the lyrics of the song but they are easily found if you ‘google’ it.  I am reminded of a situation once when a person working under my supervision did something incredibly wrong and lacking in intelligence.  I called him in to discuss his conduct seeking to determine any possible extenuating circumstances that might have motivated the action.  As he began his explanation it was obvious he was attempting to give an excuse.  He suddenly stopped, looked at me and said, “I know you do not want to hear any excuses so I’ll just tell the truth.  I was being lazy and did not think I would get caught.”  I almost laughed at the refreshing display of honesty at that moment, counseled him on his behavior and actions.  He was not terminated but would have been had he attempted to offer excuses.  He took responsibility, admitted his error and was somewhat repentant and became a very good worker.

In reviewing the passage above it is very clear that ‘excuses’ have been around almost as long as man.  If you will remember in the Garden Eve blamed the serpent and Adam not only blamed Eve but God for her flaws.  I have a friend who preached on this text.  He preached a very compelling message but one thing caught the attention of everyone more than anything else he said.  As he went through the excuses illustrating them and their meaning he came to the last one and said, “The others gave an excuse this man gave a reason.  He married a wife, and therefore truly could not come.”  The crowd roared in laughter and he almost lost the impact of his message but masterfully fit it in to the reality that we sometimes truly believe that our ‘excuse’ is a ‘reason’ or explanation that justifies.

I have often said, “I am not interested in excuses but reasons.”  I am, however, interested in the reason(s) for the excuse(s) for they speak to the problem and help us to get to the root rather than the symptom.  Why do we feel compelled to make excuses when we could easily be honest about the situation?  As we can see in the parable, Jesus made it clear that God is not moved positively by our excuses no matter how valid we believe them to be.  It is so serious that those invited were uninvited as a result of their excuses.

As the song by the Kingsmen we truly do hear ‘excuses’ every day and the devil has no shortage of suggestions.  I had a person tell me once that it was too cold in church but he went deer hunting that morning and sat in an open air stand in freezing temperature.  I did not press the ‘too cold’ part for fear he might have been speaking spiritually.  So instead of making excuses calling them reasons why not examine the reason for the excuse and ask the Lord to address that kink in the armor.

May God be with you as you go through your day!

1 John 4:1-4 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”  NASU

I am convinced that few, if any, actually desire to be losers or failures.  I have never met anyone who truly deep inside want to fail.  Some are afraid to try and others fear the pressure, commitment and responsibility that accompanies success but nobody wants to fail.  I remember times when we would choose sides for a game and invariably there would be a couple of guys who caught everyone’s attention.  Allen the athlete and uncoordinated Carl (not real people just examples).  One was a superstar at everything he attempted and the other had difficulty walking and chewing gum at the same time.  Everybody wanted Allen but nobody wanted Carl.  The idea was to get Allen on your team but not Carl and if you were successful victory was almost guaranteed.  Getting on the right team was always a crowning accomplishment. 

In the passage cited above there are ‘two teams’ depicted one doomed for certain defeat and the other guaranteed victory.  You have the final choice as to which team you will be on.  Wait!  That is almost too simplistic for it sounds on the surface as thought we make the choice and immediately declared the victors and just need to sit and wait for the trophies to be handed out.  While it is not that simple, it is a matter of choice and that the game still has to be played.  The battle still has to be fought for the devil will not just roll over and acknowledge defeat although he is defeated.  He will try!

He will attempt DECEPTION trying to trick us into making a wrong choice as did Adam, Eve and Abraham and Sarah (Hagar resulting in Ishmael).  It is imperative that we ‘test’ the spirits and remember our gauge is God’s Word.  It is also important to remember that the devil is transformed ‘as’ an angel of light so he is not always easily recognized.  Jesus did not say we would not experience the devil’s attacks he said we would ‘overcome’ them.  He did not say we would not have to deal with the devil He said we had ‘authority’ and ‘power’ over him.  In John 16:22 Jesus warned, “…in the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Let me give you a few things to consider:

•   You Are Going To Have Trials… (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)                                                                                 You may be Allen the athlete but you still need outside help.  You need the power of the Spirit of God      in your life.
• In Your Own Power You Are No Match For The Devil.
• You, As A Believer, Have All Of Heaven’s Resources Available To You.                                             (Isaiah 40:8, 12, 15, 28-31; 43:2; 45:2-3; 54:17, 19)

2 Corinthians 2:14 – “Now thanks be unto God which always, causes us to triumph in Christ…”

Let me suggest three things that must be seen for us to become what God has designed and desires.  We must SEE who He that is in the world really is.  We must SEE who He that is in us truly is.  We must SEE who we are in light of that truth.  We are MORE THAN CONQUERORS through Jesus.  We belong to God and have overcome for God is fighting for us and God is greater than all we face!  So when the enemy comes against you resist him, rebuke him and exercise your biblical authority over him.  Your trials are opportunities to trust God and your impossible situation is an open door for God’s miracles!

Choose to win and be blessed as you go through this day!

Proverbs 23:7 – “…as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”  NKJV

Let me say at the outset that the context of this passage is about charity or the lack thereof of a greedy stingy person.  However it can be applied much beyond that and that is what I wish to do at this time.

Though years of ministry it has been my observation that a very significant portion of people say they want to ‘soar with the eagles’ but often ‘quack with the crowd’.  Why?  Well it is far easier to become part of the crowd than it is to go against the grain.  It is easier to go downstream with the current than to swim or paddle against it.  Too often we are caught up in the clutter and distress of our present world and if we do not rise above the crowd and see it from a heavenly perspective we will miss opportunities and solutions.

I know some who truly ‘desire’ to break free but desire alone is not enough.  If we are to attain that lofty goal of ‘soaring with the eagles’ we will find there are some incredibly fierce battles and intense struggles in our future.  We will have to come to a clear understanding that ‘how’ we think is important.  We will have to come to grips with the fact that ‘what’ we think about is important.  We will find it mandatory that we gain ‘control’ of our thought processes and bring them into captivity to Jesus Christ.  It is absolutely necessary that we ‘think clearly’ ridding our minds of clutter.  That we ‘think courageously’ filling our hearts and minds with faith and confidence.  We must learn to ‘think confidently’ knowing that we can do all things through Christ our strength.  Simply, you do not ‘soar’ with the eagles by simply deciding you no longer want to ‘quack’ with the crowd.  It takes courage, determination and work!

WE BECOME WHAT WE THINK…

We read in Romans 12 that we are not to be conformed (ducks, geese, turkeys) but transformed (eagles).  There is to be a renewal or reprogramming of our minds (thought processes).  2 Peter 2:22 is a most riveting passage which speaks to what I’m talking about.  Why do dogs and hogs go back?  I believe that the simplest explanation is that they think differently.  You can give Rolls Royce to a person who has no concept of its value or worth and they will appreciate it no more than a VW Dune Buggy.  That is true in all things!  We have to reprogram our thought process with the kind of information that will propel us toward our goal.  Sadly, many are entrenched in ‘defeatist thinking’ and find soaring almost impossible.

SATAN’S NUMBER ONE TARGET IS OUR MINDS (Thoughts)…

He knows too well that if he can keep us bound in our thoughts he can keep us from becoming what God desires us to be.  In Ephesians 6:10-11 we discover the ‘wiles’ or ‘schemes’ of the devil. The Greek word is ‘methodia’ from which we get our word ‘method’.  The Amplified calls it the ‘strategies of the devil’.  In verse 12 we are told that our struggle is not with ‘flesh and blood’ it is with spiritual powers of darkness.  In 2 Corinthians 4 we read that the devil is described as the ‘god of this world’ and ‘blinds minds’.  In 2 Corinthians 10 we are instructed to ‘take control’ through the Holy Spirit of our thoughts.  It is possible to be transformed from one who ‘quacks with the crowd’ to one who ‘soars with the eagles’.

We need to bring ‘every thought’ captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.  Our thoughts are incredibly important in our spiritual development.  So as you begin this day begin it with the commitment to ‘think rightly’.   Blessings as you continue your journey!

Isaiah 55:8-11 – “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.  9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” NASU

When Jesus spoke, things happened.  When the apostles spoke, things happened.  When we speak, what happens?  Remember the account where the storms were crashing in and the disciples feared for their lives?  Jesus arose and spoke to the winds and everything calmed down.  When the disciples spoke lives were transformed.  Shall we forget creation?  Remember in Genesis the Bibles says; “And God said…”  John even tells us in John 1 that “In the beginning was the word and the word was God…” 

When we speak do people just go back to sleep, out to eat and continue business as usual?  I would venture to say that much of the time that is exactly what happens but why?  Why did His words and the words spoken by the early church followers have so much impact and ours often so little?  After all Jesus said in John 12:32 – “If I be lifted up from the earth I will draw all men unto me.”  Yes He was speaking specifically about His crucifixion but remember also that Paul said in Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also the Greek.”  So how is the gospel presented?  Although not exclusively it is frequently if not largely presented by WORDS!  What did Paul declare in Romans 10:14-15?  He said, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?  And how will they hear without a preacher?  How will they preach unless they are sent?  Just as it is written, ‘how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!’”

Remember the sons of Sceva after watching and listening to Paul preach and observed the miracles that resulted decided they would do the same thing so they went to a demoniac and said, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”  The demon responded, “Jesus I know and Paul I know but who are you?”  It is not just WORDS but God’s word believed and backed by the anointing of the Holy Spirit that transforms or brings transformation.  The Word of God is ‘inspired’.  It is ‘truth’ that makes free.  It produces faith for Romans 10:17 tells us, ‘So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

It is my sincere desire to speak only that which God desires at the moment He desires it said and if I do that I expect God to perform His word for His purposes and it will not return void but will accomplish that which He purposed.  I do not want to be an ‘echo’ but a ‘voice’.  I do not want to ‘talk about’ God I want to be a ‘voice for’ God.  We face a world that is still filled with demonic activity and the evidence of the destruction of the devil is visible all around us.  We have been entrusted with the Word of God and through His word we have weapons that are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.  We need to take to heart the commission of our Lord and “Go therefore…”  Knowing that He is with us and He is diligently watching over His word at all times!

            May God bless you and be with you as you go experience this new day!

Psalm 139:13-14 – “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” NKJV

My guess is that most people, at one time or another, have suffered with a feeling of inferiority or inadequacy and as a result acted in such a way as to alienate others.  It reminds me of a story I heard a few years ago.

A man went to a Psychiatrist and the doctor asked him what prompted his visit.  He said, “Doctor I am suffering from an inferiority complex and feelings of inferiority.”  In the next few weeks the doctor said, “I have some good news.”  The man sat us and asked, “What’s that?”  The doctor said, “You condition is not a complex.  You are inferior!” 

             It is a simple fact that all are not equal in ability or intelligence.  Scientists tell us that there is enough atomic power in one human body to destroy New York City.  They also contend that the human mind is astounding powerful and one scientist suggested:  “It is almost impossible to calculate this phenomenon, but as best I can determine, if we could build an electronic computer that could do all the human mind can, it would be a building about a city block wide and at least 22 stories tall.”  Yet in spite of this, human beings often cower in timidity and inferiority and that is what I find amazing.

All may face this problem but it is not a requirement that we cultivate it.  It is imperative that we, through the work of the Spirit of God, defeat it and walk in the full victory God has given us knowing who we are and whose we are.

One of the most notable characters from scripture who manifested an ‘inferiority complex’ was MOSES.  When we see Moses at 80 coming to deliver Israel, if we did not know the story would think he never suffered from the lack of confidence!  He had a history of failure.  In Exodus 3 he killed an Egyptian had to flee and found himself in the Midian desert where he is all but forgotten for 40 years.  God comes to him in a burning bush and says, “I send you.”  Moses protested remembering the failures he had been nursing and rehearsing for 40 years.  We could call it ‘humility’ but the truth is it was ‘inferiority’.  Humble people have a very high level of confidence in God and trust Him.  Humility and faith go hand in hand.

Moses protest that he is ‘unqualified’ and insisted that no one would listen.  Moses was not being ‘humble’ for his focus was on himself he was being ‘inferior’ and showing a lack of confidence in God and God’s choice to use him.  The things God did to convince him were designed to get his eyes off self and onto God.  God is either in charge or He is not. He is either capable or He is not there is no in-between.  If God calls he prepares and provides as He did with Moses. 

To defeat feelings of inferiority we need to shift the focus from self to God.  If He is who the Bible declares Him to be then we can trust Him and if He has chosen us for anything He will enable us.  How can I feel inferior when I am created and called by the Creator of all things?  Whatever He wants me to be He equips me to be that.  God knew me before I was in the womb and has a plan for my life.  He has called and commissioned us, all of us.  He is working on us and is working and will work through us.  There is nothing impossible with Him!

            May God be with you as you go through this day!

John 8:28-33 – “Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.  29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”  30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.  31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”  NKJV

I suppose one of the most relevant questions of today is “What is Freedom?”  It is possible to have something without understanding but it is impossible to enjoy it to the fullest and use it best without knowing what it is.  During the summer I saw a T-shirt that read:  “Butterflies are Free”.  Well duh, they are free but only free to be butterflies they are not free to fly to the moon.  Today we have millions concerned with ‘freedom’ but very few are truly asking, ‘What Is Freedom?’ Few are asking, “If I had freedom what would I do with it?” 

I believe the question of Freedom was addressed in the scripture I referenced in my text and it reveals just how confused people were then and I believe now as to WHAT freedom really is.  Imagine the response of the Jews: “We have NEVER been in bondage to any man!”  Are you serious?  I guess your memory or knowledge of history is corrupted for your people had been in bondage numerous times and were then in servitude to the Romans.  They were being ground under by the heel of Roman Imperialism.  I believe their response is a reflection of how little many understand about FREEDOM.  Here Jesus gives us three affirmations that explain freedom.

GOD’S PURPOSE FOR MAN IS FREEDOM…

Some think it is the absence of restraint but that could and likely would lead to anarchy not freedom.  Imagine no guidelines as to which side of the road to drive on and one could do whatever they pleased.  I can see anything but freedom in that scenario.  FREEDOM is the privilege and power to become all that God has designed and desired for you.  It is the opportunity to fulfill your potential in life.  You were born with incredible potential for you were created in the ‘Image of God’.  He gave us the Bible which is a Book of Freedom.  Jesus said inn John 8:34 – “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.”  The verb means in the habit of practicing sin.  When we accept Jesus we have freedom from guilt, the punishment and judgment of sin.  We have freedom to grow and become like our Lord Jesus Christ so God’s purpose for man is FREEDOM!

GOD’S METHOD FOR FREEDOM IS TRUTH…

There are two forces at work in our world one of darkness and the other of light.  Satan is a liar as Jesus identified in John 8:44.  Satan uses lies to bring us into bondage and that bondage leads to destruction whereas God uses truth to bring us to freedom and freedom leads to fulfillment of the purposes of God in our life.  In Genesis 3 the devil suggested that Adam & Eve could be ‘as God’ offering them freedom with no responsibility and that does not exist.  We have truth.  Jesus is truth.  The Word of God is truth. The Spirit of God is truth.  The truth makes us free!

GOD’S REVELATION OF TRUTH IS JESUS CHRIST…

John 8:36 brings this home powerfully, “If the Son, therefore makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”  He came, in the flesh, to a nation that was in political bondage but even worse spiritual bondage and brought them freedom spiritually.  How do we ‘know’ Him who is truth?  His Word, His Presence, His Spirit.  We must come to ‘know’ Him and that implies an intimacy that is far beyond casual acquaintance it is KNOWING and He said, “If you continue in My word, then you are my disciples indeed…”  We must obey Him.  Our responsibility is to KNOW Him and He opens the door for that reality.

The more you become like the Lord Jesus the more it releases your potential so the more you  become like and manifest Him the more you experience freedom and the more you experience freedom the more you release your potential.  Freedom is life controlled by truth and motivated by love and bondage is life controlled by lies and motivated by selfishness.

            So as you walk into greater freedom may the Lord bless and keep you is my prayer!

Job 14:1 – “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.”  KJV

That is a mouthful Job but so incredibly true!  I don’t recall where I heard it but heard about a little boy leading his sister up a steep mountain path which was very difficult.  She complained and complained saying, “This isn’t a real path it’s all bumpy and rocky.”  He said, “Sure sis, but the bumps are what you climb on.”  Great attitude!

Reflecting on Job’s statement and the many Bible references to difficulty in life would lead one to ask, “What do you do with the bumps on the path of life?”  How do you handle difficulty?  When I read some of the accounts in the Bible of the incredible difficulty many had reaching the Place of Promise in God I find it nothing short of amazing and often feel shame in my own heart for my complaints.

Abraham did not become a great man of faith instantly he had to walk out some incredibly paths to reach that place where his faith was accounted to him as righteousness.

Remember his life:

• Upon arrival in Canaan there is a famine.
• He has trouble with his nephew Lot.
• War breaks out and he has to fight.
• Received bad counsel from Sarah and Ishmael resulted.
• Finally he receives his ‘son of promise’ only to have God tell him to offer the boy up as a human sacrifice.

Obviously it got better but those are some of the problems he encountered.  At what point would we have said ENOUGH!

How about Joseph and his rocky road to the place God ordained him to ascend.

Remember his life:

• Pampered by his father.
• Hated by his brothers.
• Sold as a slave.
• Falsely accused and then forgotten in prison.
• Apparently forsaken by the Lord.

Finally he rose to 2^nd in command in the most powerful nation on earth and used to preserve the ‘Seed Line’ of the Savior in the nation of Israel.

How about men like Moses, Paul, David, Daniel and others?  They refused to complain about the road and roughness.  They accepted the trials and difficulties as stepping stones to the Promise not signs of being forsaken and that is a significant difference!

Many have or feel like quitting thinking that it is no use why continue?  Why doesn’t God just remove the stones and make it easy for us?  Frankly I am convinced if He did most would never climb to the top for truly the bumps are what we climb on and at least a motivation for us to press on and in.  In Psalms 91 there are eleven kinds of dangers listed such as war, snakes, sickness, terror by night, arrows by day and more and God promises to PROTECT FROM THEM ALL!  God has given His angels charge over us to keep us from bruising our feet on the bumps or stones.  They are stepping stones not stumbling stones!  So lift up your heads and rejoice for GOD IS IN CONTROL!

            May The Lord be with you and bless you as you go through this day!

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”  NASU

As we begin the year 2015 there are many unknowns and uncertainties but Jeremiah addresses it perfectly in His word from the Lord.  God knows!  There is no uncertainty with God!  He is not gripping the banister of heaven looking out over creation with ‘white knuckles’ saying, “What am I going to do?”  NO!  He knows His plans and they are good.  Paul address that in Romans 8:28 when he informed us that ‘all things WORK TOGETHER for our good’ not that all things are good but the compilation of them in God’s hands is good.  Jesus address the heart of the Father in Luke 12:32 when He made us aware that it is His Father’s ‘good pleasure’ to give us the kingdom and therefore we should not face today or tomorrow with fear but confidence.

It does not matter if you have achieved greatness in the eyes of man or find yourself wondering what your destiny and purpose is – – God has a plan and He knows it.  It is a plan that is for your good and the good of the kingdom of God.  It is a plan that gives you a future, hope and purpose.  It should bring excitement and anticipation to your heart.  Even if you do not see it now it lives in the heart of God.  I do not know what 2015 will bring politically, financially, physically, emotionally, relationally or spiritually and while I do not know about tomorrow I know the one who is in charge.  I cannot walk on water but I know one who can.  I cannot save a soul but I know one who can.  I cannot see the future clearly but I know one who can.  I cannot see the end from the beginning but I know one who can and I have confidence in Him.

Many make New Year’s Resolutions on January 1^st each year and that’s fine but I prefer to renew my commitment to God and daily seek His guidance.  I’m not into turning over new leaves but seeking Him to turn my heart.  As David cried in Psalm 51 my heart cries for God to ‘create in me a clean heart, renew in me a right spirit and never take the Holy Spirit from me.’  If I have the comforter walking alongside, a clean heart and a right spirit then no power of hell can hold me back for I am more than a conqueror through Jesus.  If I am walking in the peace that passes human understanding I can face the uncertain future with a calm certainty that gives me peace that disturbs the devil.

Today is the beginning of a year that I believe will involve much change in our world.  I sense that there is going to be significant movement on the political, financial, and religious scene.  I do not know all of what that will be but I sense that there will be a dual occurrence of God’s grace and glory and the unleashing of attacks inspired by hell itself.  There will be casualties and conquests.  There will be failures and successes that will touch the entire world.  The church will see what could be described as a shaking by some and revival by others.  There are forces at work to completely obliterate the church but it will not succeed.  There will be a visible church and an invisible one.  2015 will be a transition year politically, economically, and spiritually and for those who have an ear to hear they will hear that still small voice giving directions as to what path to take.

I am excited about this New Year more than I have been in at least ten years for I sense that the plans God has for His people are about to be moved to a new dimension.  So as you enter this New Year enter it with a heart full of hope and a willingness to walk in the light as He is in the light.

           God bless you richly is my prayer!