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Live it like you are convinced of it!

When you truly believe something, then your behavior (actions, practice) will flow from the belief.

When you are convinced without a doubt of a concept, your actions will follow because you believe it be so.

If a man tells you to give him one dollar, and he will return to you one thousand dollars, if you are wholeheartedly convinced it is true, then you will give the dollar. You would have to be convinced of the character and nature of the person – that they want your good, that they are honest and since and will not lie, and that they have the ability to do as they promise.

Are you convinced of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Convinced of His sufficiency to meet your needs? In this world in and in the world to come?

Then you will live in a way that reflects that belief. Truly know that the character of God is love, that He works for your good, and He is sufficient to meet all your needs. You will unfeigned love to God and to your neighbor.

How you live reflects what you really believe. Think of “works” as behavior, actions, your practice. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without they works, and I will will shew they my faith by my works.” James 2:18 KJV

What’s this about loving our neighbor?

Jesus taught us to have His radical love for God, and for our neighbor.

It seems our culture leans towards each person asserting their rights, attributing bad motives to our neighbor, actively diminishing our neighbor, by saying things to highlight their faults and not acknowledging any goodness in them.

One idea is that loving our neighbor would mean that we do not diminish our neighbor. Often when people gather (friends talking, family, church, work), there will be opportunity to make less of someone by using words that diminish them.

Perhaps one should pause and think, would you want someone to say that about you? Even if it had some truth? Do you know the secrets of the other person’s heart.

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. – Matthew 22:39

Do you ever wish things would have been different? That you were born different…that certain events didn’t happen…or that certain events would have happened…that people had done things differently…or you had done things differently?

We cannot change the past. It’s ok to enjoy memories of the past. It’s ok to grieve memories of the past. But we also need to move forward. You were created for God’s glory. You were created for good works.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works” Ephesians 2:10

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us form all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14

If sins from the past, if wrong from the past grieve you, accept God’s great forgiveness.

You cannot change the past. But do what you can to shape the future. Move forward with courage and hope, and assurance that God is your help.

Imagine someone who is perfect in love. Always wanting your best! Seeking your good in everything. Loving you even when you don’t deserve it. Especially when you don’t deserve it.

God is perfect in love. “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love” – Jeremiah 31:3

What would perfect love look like to you? How would it impact your life?

God showed his love through Jesus Christ. Embrace that love today.

Perfect in love.

Perfect in righteousness.

Perfect in forgiveness.

Perfect.

“… forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippines 3:13 & 14

Let’s use this new year as a time of renewal! Renew hope, renew confidence in God, and in God’s great love, goodness and mercy. Perhaps there are that we need to turn away from (i.e forgetting those things which are behind). Some things we just have to leave. But we can reach forth to be more of what God wants us to be.

Will we do this poorly? Yes, very likely. Any new thing we start, we start doing very poorly. But we get better as we continue to do it.

What things do you need to leave behind this new year? What things do you need to press toward in 2020?

May God give you his great blessings on your journey.

May the peace, love, and joy of Jesus Christ surround you and engulf you this Christmas season, sweeping away any fear, doubt, and anxiety.

Fear is a natural and rational response to many things in this world. There are innumerable things that can trouble our hearts and minds. To mention only a few, death, sickness, disease, financial troubles, legal troubles, job loss, divorce, imprisonment. All devastating, all real.

Hope is in Jesus Christ. There is no guarantee things will work out as we hope. But God promises He will NEVER leave us or forsake us – no matter what. Draw close to Him. Confess your sins. Tell Him your needs. He is there.

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

As we enter this Christmas season, we remember it is a time of giving.

It reminds us of God’s great love for us, in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave…” Yes, He gave His own Son, Jesus Christ, his gift to us, to redeem us and give us eternal life.

It was His choice. He didn’t have to. Yet because of His love He chose to.

He held nothing back. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all..”

Merry Christmas!

No matter your circumstances; no matter your health; no matter where you are; no matter what you have done;

God knows you; He has not forgotten you; His love doesn’t fail; completely surrender your life to Him now.

“And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” – Psalms 50:15