Be-Attitudes and Blessings

I love reading the Bible, God’s living word. Anyone reading the Bible over a length of time has probably read the same scriptures more than once. You may also have learned something new each time.

That’s what happened to me this week. I’m working my way through the Book of Matthew, re-reading it this time in the *Amplified Version.

One day this week, I read Matthew Five. Even though I’ve read it many times, I read it again the next day. I made some notes while I looked at it as a whole, instead of single verses.

Let’s look at the rewards first. Those who practice the “Be-Attitudes” will find:
1.    The kingdom of heaven is theirs; they shall be comforted, and inherit the earth.
2.    They will be filled with righteousness, obtain mercy, and see God.
3.    They shall be called the sons of God, and in the kingdom of heaven, they will have great reward.

Do you see anything undesirable there? I don’t. From the Amplified Version let’s consider how to obtain these blessings:

1.        First, we need to be poor in spirit (humble ourselves before God).
2.          If we mourn, we will be comforted by God’s matchless grace.
3.          The meek (the patient and long-suffering) will enjoy God’s favor regardless of outward conditions.
4.          Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, as born-again children of God, will enjoy His favor and salvation.
5.          The merciful will find satisfaction in God’s favor, regardless of outward circumstances.
6.          The pure in heart will enjoy happiness produced by God’s favor and the revelation of His grace.
7.          The makers and maintainers of peace will be spiritually prosperous with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor.
8.          Those persecuted for righteousness’ sake (being and doing right) will prosper in spirit as born-again children of God.
9.          When people persecute you (saying false things against you because you serve Jesus) be glad and remain joyful, for your reward is in heaven.

These “be-attitudes” and blessings are Jesus' teachings. But if you read John 12:44-50, you will find they are also the words of His Father in heaven. 

I hope today’s post inspires you to take your Bible and review Matthew 5:3-12.  Ask yourself: How do I measure up?

*The Everyday Life Bible by Joyce Meyer: Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures in The Everyday Life Bible is taken from The Amplified Bible (AMP) and is used by permission of the Lockman Foundation and the Zondervan Corporation. Additional text copyright 2006 by Joyce Meyer. Amplified Bible copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation.

*Pixabay: Winner, Champion; Conmongt.

  

Who Cares

A lot of people care. I see it in friends and family, co-workers, and leaders of various kinds. Who would argue with the idea that the world is a better place because of people who care?

This week I was talking with someone whose life is taking an unexpected turn. He is close to retirement, but due to his wife’s health, he is becoming a caregiver.

As we talked, I was reminded of the daily challenges in my care-giving days. I had been retired one year when Dad needed help because he could no longer drive.

To this day I’m grateful my husband agreed and was willing to make necessary life adjustments to also help Dad. A few years later, I became a caregiver for my husband.

A caregiver’s life becomes the life of the cared for. As a widower, Dad was used to getting up and going to Denny’s for breakfast every day. I always enjoyed breakfast at home, so that was just one of my adjustments.

There were also challenges with all the doctor appointments and calls to the insurance company. Except for my bout with breast cancer, I’d been healthy and doctor visits were not ongoing.

When hospice was needed, they were a big help to me as well as Dad. It was a relief to be able to call his nurse if I had a question. But home health aides, the chaplain, and the social worker were also supportive and encouraging.

To me, caregiving was “tiring.” But in the conversation this week I heard the word “draining.” I think that’s a better word for it. After all, the person giving care is on tap 24/7.

Who cares? I’m hoping you do.

First a word for Caregivers: Love is expressed, said Jesus, by being willing to lay down your life for a friend (John 15:12-13). I’m sure this also applies to love in acts of service to family members.

Now a word to Non-Caregivers: The challenge this week is to consider how you can encourage a caregiver by showing them that YOU CARE!

Pixabay: Hands, Arms, Reading; GDJ. 

  

If Jesus Came To Your House

Do you ever have drop-ins? You know, friends or family who just happen to be in the neighborhood . . . on their way somewhere when you came to mind.

Jesus was a drop-in many times because there was no way to call or text ahead. Today we’re looking at just such a visit by Jesus to the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (John 11:5, Luke 10:38-42).

Are you always ready for company? I know I’m not. But if I get a drop-in, I also know that’s not the time to clean house.

Perhaps Martha knew Mary always tried to learn from Jesus. So, she just kept on with her housekeeping. But then she decided it was time for Jesus to tell Mary to get to work.

I wonder if Martha was surprised when Jesus said her name twice. He understood she was worried and upset about many things. Not that they didn’t need to get done, but it was a matter of priorities.

Jesus commended Mary’s choice. Why? Because she took time to learn spiritual truths. Perhaps she was familiar with Psalm 119:162 NKJV: I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure. 

Scriptural teaching in the home has great value. God’s truth is for everyday life, not just Sunday. Did you know parents are to be the “first responders” in their children’s spiritual education? (Deuteronomy 11:18-21)

I always loved hearing missionaries and evangelists share their stories and personal testimonies around our table. As ministers, Dad and Mom hosted many.

What I learned in my home impacted what I learned in church, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School (VBS), and youth camps.

Jesus comes to your house every day. He said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 BSB). Paul said, “Nothing can separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38-39).

Are Jesus’ teachings and words important to you? Revelation 3:20 says He’s knocking at your spiritual heart’s door. Invite Him in . . . make Him a priority.

Rest assured all those other things you are concerned about will get done (Ecclesiastes 3:1 BSB.

Pixabay: Old door, Arc, beauty; makamuki0

 

I'm Giving Thanks

I know it’s not Thanksgiving Day, but why wait? We give thanks to people every day.

When someone holds the door open, we say, “Thank you.” Or, when a friend treats us to lunch, gives us a ride, or listens to us with compassion while we share a personal struggle, then offers to pray with us or give an encouraging word.

We’re to give thanks to God, too. It couldn’t be made any simpler than three short verses in First Thessalonians 5:16-18 (BSB): Rejoice at all times; Pray without ceasing; Give thanks in every circumstance.

That last one is more of a challenge than the rest.

Why am I focused on thanks today? It’s because of something that happened a year ago. On March 21, 2024, I fell and broke the ball off my right femur. That required a partial hip replacement.

One of the caregivers at the rehab facility had a funny comeback. I said, “I was eighty before I took my first fall.” He said, “Why’d you wait so long?” I said, “I could have waited longer (which in my mind was NEVER!).

I would love to wipe that day out of my mind, but I can’t, for several reasons. A best friend and caregiver, reminds me I need to be thankful for all the good things God has done for me this past year. She’s right!

So . . . I’ve been counting my blessings: (1) No pain while waiting for medical transport . . . I was probably in shock, (2) a good surgeon, (3) friends who came to ER, (4) good hospital care, (5) helpful rehab therapy, (6) friends and family scheduled 24/7 for three weeks of home care, (7) rides for six weeks of therapy, and (8) consistent encouragement and prayer from my church, family, and friends.

Furthermore, I’m thankful I can drive, and I only need a cane when I leave the house.

My two Goddaughters and Best Friend often tell me how good I’m doing. I take them seriously because they saw me at my worst, before surgery and during recovery.

Giving thanks is part of my chosen lifestyle. God is good and so are His people.

James 5:13 says if we’re happy, we should sing. I do! But I also say, “Thank you, God, for Your excellent provision and the way You met my needs during recovery this past year. Amen.” 

Pixabay: Thank You Note, Message; Maklay62.

A Very Personal Choice

Have you ever felt that life makes about as much sense as a Fiddler on the Roof? Having recently watched a DVD of MGM’s 1971 major movie production, it’s still on my mind.

I googled the actor known as “Topol,” who plays Tevye the dairy farmer, father of three girls, and a man sincere about his faith. Topol played Tevye on stage and screen for several decades and figured he played him 3,500 times!

Why is Tevye in my thoughts today? It has to do with the way he pondered how to act in answer to hard questions. He’d stare off into space and say, “On the one hand (this),” but then, “On the other hand (that).”

While reading Lamentations 3, I thought of Tevye as Jeremiah pondered the pros and cons of his hard times vs. hope in God. I was reading the *AMP Bible, but I also read it in the *NLT, and *BSB.

Choose your favorite translation, and read it for yourself. Here’s what I drew from it:

Jeremiah lists the hard things first (v 1-20):

• He has health problems (v. 4)
• God seems far away (v. 2, 8)
• He’s unsure of what to do (v. 9)
• People consider him a joke (v. 14)
• He has no peace or happiness (v 17)

BUT (YET) he begins to hope in God . . . in the character of God! (v. 21-36).

• God is merciful and faithful (v. 22-23)
• He responds to those who seek Him (v. 25)        
• It's good to wait on God (v. 26, 31)
• In our grief, God has compassion (v. 32-33)
• God answers prayer (v. 53-56)

·    Now the choice is ours. In Lamentations 3:40-41, Jeremiah says we need to carefully examine (consider) our ways and turn to God, lifting not only our hands but our hearts to Him.

Yes, it requires time, but what doesn't? Serving the Lord is a very personal choice and deserves our careful consideration.

 *AMP, The Amplified Version of the Bible, NLT, The New Living Translation, BSB, Berean Standard Bible.

 Pixabay: Violinist, Band, Bandsman; OpenClipart-Vectors.

 

 

Your Future is Now

How many things have you read that are true from generation to generation? And if there are such everlasting words, do we want to believe them?

When I was in middle school, one Vacation Bible School (VBS) had a theme of “God’s Word, A Treasure.” The workbook cover pictured a treasure chest overflowing with jewels, but the lessons intrigued me so much that I saved that workbook for many years.

Not only that, I treasured God’s word as a teen, college student, young adult . . . and here I am in my retirement, still intrigued by God’s Word.  

A few days ago, I began studying First Thessalonians. One introductory sentence caught my attention immediately: Paul mentioned the Second Coming of Christ in every chapter.

I expected formal doctrine, but that wasn’t what I found at all. Paul simply connected the future return of Jesus to the here and now.

Consider my condensed version:

(1)   The Thessalonians had turned from idol worship to serve the living and true God, awaiting His Son from heaven, whom He had raised from the dead. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

(2)   At the coming of Jesus, and in His presence, the believers would be Paul’s glory and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

 (3)   He prayed that they would overflow with love for one another, and be established in blamelessness and holiness at the coming of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

(4)   When the Lord returns, the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive will join them, to meet the Lord and be with Him forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

(5)   The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, so stay awake and sober, with your helmet of salvation, plus hope and love. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, 6, 8

But to me the best was last. He said God was able to sanctify them and keep their spirit, soul, and body blameless at the coming of Christ. “The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

Get out your favorite Bible and read these scriptures for yourself: Your future is now.

Pixabay: Treasure, gold; bOred.

 

A Word Worth Sharing

Here it is again . . . my favorite word: HOPE. I have some more uplifting and encouraging things to share about it, so let’s get started.

Hope in God is an option, and it’s through faith and hope that we receive God’s blessings, in this life and beyond. Here's a little acrostic reminder:

Having the

Option of the

Power of God

Eternally

Hope is not required for things we can see. It's only required for things we can't see (Romans 8:24-25). Paul said we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Hope is a great motivator and sustainer of life.

For me, faith and hope go hand in hand. Consider these scriptural concepts: (1) Faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1), (2) fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12), and (3) hope in God’s word (Psalm 119:81).

No matter how tough the times, you’ll find His word is faithful to every generation (Psalm 119:89-90).

Would you rather be a dry bush or a green tree? This is the Prophet Jeremiah’s illustration: (a) The dry bush is the person who trusts in man and turns his back on God, and (b) The green tree is planted by living water where its roots are established, and it grows up to bear fruit (Jeremiah 17:5-8).  

This all takes time, of course, and that’s why hope is so important. 

Time brings us things both good and bad. Job certainly knew about living through hard times, but he declared his hope in God would never waver, even unto death (Job 13:15).

Hang onto hope and be blessed!

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

as you believe in Him,

so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 15:13).

 

Pixabay: Faith, Hope, Love: geralt

 

Something We All Need

We’ve been talking a lot about our will. Today is no exception. In Psalm 101, David said multiple times, “I will” do this or that, but why?

It’s only eight short verses, but they focus on something we all need: Integrity. We don’t hear much about it these days, but it’s still an important character trait.

What does it mean to live with integrity? It means doing the right thing even when no one is looking (no one but God, that is).

People with moral and ethical principles are honest and consistent, in contrast to being dishonest and shifty. They are respectful of others, carry out responsibility well, and don’t mind being held accountable.

When I think of integrity, I think of self-control. Why? Because integrity doesn’t just happen. We live with integrity on purpose, by the choices we make.

Integrity can start at home. David said he would set no worthless thing before his eyes (V. 3). In our day, visual temptations and evil choices abound 24/7 . . . on our cell phones, in movies, books, and on TV.   

He expanded his integrity by choosing to: (1) Silence slanderers, (2) not endure the proud, (3) cut off evildoers, and (4) remove the wicked from the land (V. 5-8).

David wanted to surround himself with people of integrity Even his workers were those who could be counted on to be faithful, not to speak lies, or deceive him in any way. (V. 5-7).

By ferreting out evil in our homes and businesses, it should affect the city where we live in good ways.

There’s a similar thought in Proverbs 14:34: Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

Where do you line up on the integrity quotient? Fully engaged? Partially in? Could care less?

People who choose to live with integrity don’t have to wobble on their choices. They know where they stand and can be at peace.

Pixabay: Balance, Ethics, Values; Mohamed_hassan.  

A Matter of Will: Part 2

Thanks to our will, we get to make choices day by day, even moment by moment. Choices come first (our will), then actions. The same can be said for God.

Recently, I was intrigued by all the choices mentioned in Psalm 78. It was a reflection on the days of the Exodus. God had made His will known by giving some commands and laws (Psalm 78:5-7). Yet, the people made some bad choices.

God’s will exhibited as anger at times, and mercy at other times. We’ll touch on a few highlights, but I encourage you to read Psalm 78 for yourself. Notice the will of the people and the will of God.

God never leaves us clueless. We are blessed with His written word, plus the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, but He never overrides our will . . . the choice is ours.

First, we must choose to read or listen to His Word. Then we must choose to accommodate it. That may mean making some changes in our lives, but will we choose to obey, or not?

Let’s consider some bad choices. That would include refusing to live by God’s law, forgetting all the wonderful things He has done, willfully testing Him, speaking negatively against Him, not even believing Him nor relying on His salvation (Psalm 78:10-11, 18-19, 22).   

What about God? Was He smiling away at all this rebellion? No. The psalmist said He was filled with anger and wrath against them. Yet, He continued to lead them with a cloud by day and fire by night and fed them with manna in the wilderness (Psalm 78:21-25).     

God is longsuffering, but even He has limits. Way back in Genesis 6:3, He said, “My Spirit shall not contend with man forever.” The unbelieving people that are written about in Psalm 78 turn up again in Hebrews with a warning for us against unbelief (Hebrews 3:16-19).    

There will be a day of judgment for all people (Revelation 20:11-14). The “deed” to be judged on that day is found in John 3:16-18.

Please, don’t take that choice lightly.

Pixabay: Thinker, Thinking Person; Clker-Free-Vector-Im.

 

A Matter of Will: Part 1

I've been thinking about matters of will. Not the legal read-me-after-I-die kind, but something I think is more important.

I love reading Genesis One because item by item, day by day, God expressed His will as He made choices in creating sky, land, and sea.

When it came to the creation of mankind, God also made His will clear: (1) He created us in His image with a will and the ability to make choices, plus (2) He gave us an earthly assignment (Genesis 1:26).

Here's a story I wrote several years ago. I'm using it as an introduction to A Matter of Will: Part 2 which I will send next week.

DEAR WILL

What a pleasure to write this letter. I want you to know how much I appreciate having you in my life.

Thanks to you, I can make thoughtful decisions and not rush blindly into dangerous situations. You are the one who enables me to choose what to do, where to go, and what to say.

I appreciate the freedom you give me and how you wait while I search things out and review information to make a good choice.

Because of you, I am the captain of my own ship in many ways. Even when the storms of life cause me grief and troubled times, I don't have to bob along on unsettled waves. I can decide which life-saving actions to pursue.

I have learned from experience that you can be quite flexible. If I need strength and boldness, you rise to the occasion and people call me "strong-willed." If I choose to shrink back and let circumstances and others' choices control me, I get labeled "weak-willed." Either way, you stick with me.

I appreciate your respect. Others may try to pressure me into doing their will by threatening to affect my life in any number of uncomfortable ways, but you quietly wait in the background for my decision. Once it's made, you support me while I follow through. 

I thank God for you, Will. You have helped make me who I am today and will continue to impact my life right to the end. You accompany me as a companion, not a dictator.

My wrong choices cause discomfort, but you remain loyal, hoping I will see the error of my ways. I consider you an invaluable friend.

TWO EXAMPLES OF WILL AT WORK 

Ruth, in the Old Testament, chose to accompany her mother-in-law back to her homeland. She said, "Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live . . . wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried . . ." (Ruth 1:16-17).

In the New Testament, before the crucifixion, Jesus prayed to His Father, "Take this cup from Me. Yet, not what I will, but what You will" (Mark 14:36).

I'm grateful God gave me Will. How about you?

Pixabay: Thinker, Thinking Person; Clker-Free-Vector-Im.

A Worldwide Symphony

I enjoy symphony concerts. The blending of musical instruments is beautiful as they join together in harmonies, rhythms, and melodies.

I also enjoy choirs. It was my privilege to be a choir pianist during the years my husband was a choir director. After that, I was a church pianist and the choir was the congregation. What a beautiful sound as voices blended in praise to God!

There’s a hymn I’ve always loved called “This is My Father’s World.” It was written by Maltbie D. Babcock, a Presbyterian minister, and published in 1901. According to Hymnary.org, it’s been published in 322 hymnals, so I’m not the only one who has liked it.

I wonder if Rev. Babcock was meditating on Psalm 148 when he wrote this song. The opening line says, “This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.”

In fourteen short verses, Psalm 148 lists created things from the sky to the sea to the earth and people. ALL are to praise God because they came into being at His command (V. 5). Also, He set them in place forever (V. 6). Isn’t it nice to be able to depend on night and day, the four seasons, the rain cycle, and food grown for all living things?  

What does it mean to give God praise? That’s when we express our appreciation, thanks, and/or admiration for things like: 1) Our amazing world, 2) personal blessings, 3) who God is, and 4) what He Is still doing.  

A major reason to praise God is for His great love. Jesus fulfilled the Father’s requirement of a perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins (John 1:29). Through Jesus, we have forgiveness of sins and life with God forever (John 3:16; Romans 10:9; Psalm 23; 2 Corinthians 5:8).  

You are invited to join a worldwide symphony of praise to Almighty God. Just like instruments played individually in a symphony, so are our praises to God, whether spoken or sung.

Note:  Psalm 100 and 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 give plenty of praise-worthy ideas. And don’t forget Psalm 148.

Pixabay: Sound, Sounds, Concert; geralt 

Freedom Unlimited

Not many options in life are unlimited. There is one important area, however, where we can determine how free we will be.

I’ve been studying *Parables” by John White. In Matthew 18:21, Peter asked a simple question, which in his mind had a simple answer. “How often should I forgive someone? Up to seven times?”

Wouldn’t that be easy? You wouldn’t even need all ten fingers to count them off!

Peter was probably shocked by Jesus’ response, but put yourself in his shoes. He was familiar with Old Testament scriptures which said you could retaliate an eye-for-an-eye, or a tooth-for-a-tooth (Exodus 21:23-24; Deuteronomy 19:21). With that mindset, doesn’t Peter’s idea seem generous?

Jesus was an expert at getting His point across. His parables or stories were simple enough for people of all ages and cultures to understand.

I was raised on the King James Bible which said to forgive 7X70, but some of the new translations say 77 times. I’m not going to argue over numbers because the point, as I see it, is this. Jesus was setting the bar high so we couldn’t easily say, “I’ve forgiven my limit. Now I quit!”

Forgiveness is not limited - - - it’s for a lifetime. What kind of life do you want to live? A stingy one, where you’re tied to a scorecard? Or, freedom - - - where you recognize the offense, but choose to forgive and move on.

There’s also a heavenly lesson here, not to be missed. Jesus had already taught about it in The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:12). But now He reemphasized the point with the story of The Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35).

What could be simpler than His closing line? To be forgiven in heaven, we must forgive on earth (V. 35).

Freedom unlimited is available . . . but the choice is up to you.

*Parables by John White. Life Guide Bible Studies by Inter Varsity Press (ivpress.com), Downers Grove, Illinois. Copyright 1988, 1999. (also available through Christianbook.com)

Pixabay: Sunset, Nature, Boy; geralt.

  

One Special Day

God hears and answers prayer. I know because He’s answered many prayers in my lifetime. But I have one daily request: “God, please put me in the right place at the right time today, whether I’m home or out and about.”  

Here’s how God answered that prayer one day this week.

As I was getting ready to run errands I started to tuck my cell phone in my purse. But I noticed a text message. A friend needed a ride. Could I help?

I called and said, “Good timing! I was just getting ready to leave. What do you need?”

I knew she had a son in hospice care in a city two hours away, but as his fiduciary, she was on a timeline to mail yearly reports. We decided to run her errands, then one of mine, and lunch would be later.

After her second errand, I had to admit I was very hungry. She was too, so we agreed on a favorite quick spot.  Over lunch, she said, “My son is not doing well. I wouldn’t be surprised if he passes away before the doctor’s three-month deadline.”

Shortly after, her phone rang. Her son had passed away, and that meant a lot of quick changes in her day. I said, “My errands can wait. I want to be sure you get these papers in the mail, and I’ll take you to the shuttle when you’re ready to go.”

At the end of the day, I gave thanks to God for answering my simple prayer.  It was such a good feeling to have been free to help her.

You see it was a day I could be flexible; my errands were not pressing. But the day before this, and the day after, I had someone scheduled to do house repairs.

I think my prayer does a couple of things: (1) It’s a way of saying, “Thy will be done . . . ” (Matthew 6:9-10), and (2) it fulfills Philippians 4:6: Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

God answers prayer! I have a plaque on my wall with this reminder:

Yesterday He helped me

Today He did the same

How long will this continue?

Forever, praise His name.

Pixabay: Sun, Cloud, Nature, Sky; kropekk_pl

Honorable Equality

We hear a lot about equity and equality these days. But perfection in these two areas is not possible, for various reasons.

First of all, physical differences create male/female identity. People also differ in their thought processes and emotional makeup.

Another difference appears in gifts and abilities. For example, we have statesmen, nurses, doctors, entrepreneurs, and skilled laborers. They can be either male or female. But while education and training vary from one skill to another, no one person is more important than another.

Consider this question:  Can two people walk hand in hand if they aren’t going to the same place? (The MSG, Amos 3:3). Whether you are a couple or a business or sports team, there must be agreement on goals.

A good leader listens to others, considers what to do, and then shares his plan. With people in agreement, each does his best to help the plan succeed.   

There is also more to walking in agreement? While using our gifts to help one another, we are also to love and honor each other (Romans 12:6-8, and 10).

Every team needs a leader. In marriage, the husband is to be head of the wife, but he is not to be a tyrant. He is to love his wife as Christ loved the church and was willing to give His life for her (Ephesians 5:23-28).

My husband and I worked through a rough patch after I stopped telling him what I thought and he stopped asking. We were looking for housing in a new ministry when I started to cry. He asked, “What’s wrong?”

I said, “The Lord gave me a warning to share with you but I didn’t do it because I thought you wouldn’t listen anyway.” He was shocked, and said, “Well, share it with me now,” so I did.

He said, “Promise me you will always tell me what you think, and I promise to listen before I make a decision.”

It was a fresh start. This honoring of one another became mutual submission out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21). That set us on a renewed path for a happy marriage of fifty-two years. Praise the Lord!

Let’s aim for honorable equality, doing it as unto the Lord, not just unto man (Colossians 3:23-24).

  

Perfectly New

Isn’t it fun to get something new? You open a package knowing the item has never been used and you get to enjoy it.

I find it interesting that God built the idea of “new” into His Creation. Each day begins with a new sunrise. Every seven days we start a new week, basically every thirty days a new month, and every twelve months a new year!

Cartoonists like to draw "Father Time." At the beginning of the year, he is pictured as a baby. But by the end of the year, he’s gray-bearded, old and scraggly. Perhaps people feel that way, too, as they make new-year resolutions to improve life.

You’ve probably heard life is what happens while you’re making other plans. Plans are good, but life is full of surprises. All we can control is how we will respond to unexpected challenges.

Read the heading on my blog and you’ll see I believe in “new.” To me, it’s a gift that Almighty God offers in many ways.

First, is the gift of salvation: Forgiveness of sins and eternity with God by accepting His gift of Jesus, who died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin. We are born again (spiritually this time), and no more animal sacrifices are required (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17). We have a fresh start.

Then we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). How? By going to church and reading our Bibles with a heart to obey God’s Word.

One day this old world will be replaced. God will create a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:10-13). But, to me, there’s even a better “new!” Here’s a scripture I live by:

Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed,

For His mercies never fail. They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:22-23 BSB)

Read a little further, and you’ll find that in God we have hope, and He is good to those who seek Him.

With that in mind, I'd say we have good reasons to enjoy a perfectly NEW year!