Wednesday – Day 335 of 2021 – December 1
John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
———————————————
It has started. The hustle and din of the Christmas season. The month of December is more that trees and presents. The month of December is one of reflection and wonder. That the creator of the universe would become a person is a concept that is difficult to understand. The eternal God wrapped in swaddling clothes in a borrowed domicile filled with hay and animals is a picture that has been depicted millions of times. But the reality of Christmas is the glory of it all. He came that we might have life and have it abundantly. That is glory.
#
Thursday – Day 336 of 2021 – December 2
John 1:9 “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.”
——————————————–
Jesus came into this world to provide every man the ability to understand God. Jesus was that light. The light has shown brightly through all time. His light has reached out and benefited every person since his advent. Every dark place has seen the light. Where there is concern for the poor, the persecuted, the helpless, the aged, the hungry, the sorrowful, and the lost, Jesus’ light has been there. His light has dispelled at least some of the darkness even in the worst of places. Every bright spot in our world his made brighter by his light. Where there is joy, it was made better by the light. All through time the light has pushed itself into all the corners of happenstance. Enlighten me O Lord as I open my self to your light.
#
Friday – Day 337 of 2021 – December 3
John 8:56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”
——————————————–
The books included in the sacred writings of the Jews included a story of Abraham its founder. Abraham knew there would come a day the savior of the world would come. These words picture a man waiting expectantly, earnestly, diligently waiting for that day. It was a vital part of his life that there would be a returning, a restoration, and a consolation. His soul would leap when that day came. As if a long-expected friend who promised to visit was but a shadow on a far hillside. He runs forward, jumps up to catch a glimpse, he stretches for a fleeting vision of the coming of his friend. He is coming! This month we celebrate this friend coming to earth and now we strain again for his return. And I am glad.
#
Saturday – Day 338 of 2021 – December 4
1 Timothy 3:16 “By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.”
——————————————-
Great is the mystery of godliness. That God would become flesh and walk among his creation. Through the ages, the history of the Chosen People was filled with great ups and downs. From great leaps of faith to terrible godlessness. Yet He came to reveal the truth to them and to us. He was revealed in the flesh. He took on the form of a man. To be an example in spirit, to demonstrate the majesty of the hordes of angels, to be shouted from the top of every hill in every nation, to spread to all the world the forgiveness of sin and finally return to his glory. This month we celebrate the birth. The first step to our own forgiveness and life. I confess to all that Jesus has come!
#
Sunday – Day 339 of 2021 – December 5
1 John 1:1-2 “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us.”
——————————————-
Words can hurt, words can heal, words can make us cry, words can make us laugh but the best words are words of absolute truth. John here states clearly words of fact. Jesus was for John more than a memory. He had an experience that changed his life. It was a present reality. John was different because of the Word. John experienced a Word that healed a chasm between God and himself. Today I celebrate this same Word. This Word of Life. Today I will focus on my words that they might echo the Word of Life.
#
Monday – Day 340 of 2021 – December 6
1 John 4:2 “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God”
————————————————–
He came in the world as a baby. He lived a life of complete and absolute perfection. Some would say Jesus was just a good man speaking Godly truths. Others have said Jesus was just a conglomeration of many men of this time. Still others say he was a fairytale. For me, Jesus was much more than a human apparition giving us good words. I take solace in knowing that my understanding of Jesus is much more than an accumulation of human facts and ideas. I have no doubt that Jesus came in flesh. It is not a decision based upon some book written by intellectuals but by the very nature of God. When I speak, I echo the spirit of God when I speak of my Jesus. No man can call Jesus Lord but by the Spirit of God.
#
Tuesday – Day 341 of 2021 – December 7
Luke 1:35 “The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”
———————————————-
No room in the inn, mangers, animals, shepherds, wise men and their gifts, all provide pictures of a great news of a great joy. We put up trees, listen to carols on our electronics. We give each other presents. This celebration of a woman giving birth is a great and awesome thing. It is breath taking to see the miracle of birth. But here is even a greater miracle to be celebrated today. It happened nine months before all the Great lights, donkey rides, and angels. God fathering a child. The power of the Highest in conception. The combination of two cells, one human and the other divine. Now that is a miracle! This why the birthed child was to be called the Son of God. Today I celebrate that miracle. Today I will focus on the beginnings. Today is a beginning for me. I will celebrate.
#
Wednesday – Day 342 of 2021 – December 8
Isaiah 9:6 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace
————————————————–
The vision of the Old Testament Prophet is overwhelmed by this great and expected event. There is nothing that would cast a shadow upon this awe-inspiring attention. He knew of the pending invasion from the North. The Northern Kingdom Israel was already in captivity. Despite the impending terribleness of great armies at the walls of Jerusalem, the prospect of life as slaves, or even death, nothing could not pull his mind’s eye away from what was to be. In his panorama of prophetic history he could see something great coming from the distant and darkened Galilee. He saw people shouting for joy. He saw a restoration of a God driven politic. He saw a God who cared for all. He saw the strength God. He saw the everlasting and eternal God. And praise the Lord, He saw Peace restored. The prophet saw it all. His vision was one where Jesus was taking his position of messiah for the world.
#
Thursday – Day 343 of 2021 – December 9
Matthew 1:18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.”
——————————————————-
There is so much in this account provided to us by Matthew. Matthew’s telling of the story was short and to the point. He tells us of the birth of Jesus. It was an act of the Holy Spirit which never happened before. It was a singular point in the history of man. The Very Holy Spirit of God come to touch a chosen vessel and to begin the most improbable, the most astonishing, the most victorious, event in all history. “Found with child”, what a glorious and wonder filled event told in such few words. It is as if Matthew was saying, “nothing to see here”, but, “The best is yet to come”, Jesus the Messiah was born but the best events are yet to come. I await, with anticipation.
#
Friday – Day 344 of 2021 – December 10
John 14:9 “Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”
—————————————————-
I don’t want to get all preachy or theological here. There have been schisms, heresies, splits, wars, and martyrs over the idea of the trinity. God being the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit. Phillip was seeking more than the physical. Phillip knew the life of Jesus, he was there to saw the miracles, the healings, hearing the preaching and the teaching. But Phillip could not wrap his head around the idea of some of the claims of Jesus. He wanted to settle it for himself. It was not a question for the ages, it was for him. It was a question we must ask ourselves. We don’t want a theological answer. We want a real, in my heart and head answer. The answer for me in the this month of celebration of the birth of the Christ child, is “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father”. For today that is more than enough.
#
Saturday – Day 345 of 2021 – December 11
Matthew 1:22-23 “Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
—————————————————-
AMAZING! God in the flesh through generations including patriarchs, kings, incestuous daughter-in-law, a prostitute, a foreigner, and a virgin. There are fourteen generations from Abram to David, fourteen more from David to Exile in Babylon, and fourteen more from the exile to Jesus. This day was foretold by Isaiah. God in the flesh, dwelling with man, “God with us.” From the heavenly realms to live as a carpenter and a servant. The Infinite Creator to dwell with his perfect creation which was flawed by sin. A divine man, a depraved humanity, and a providential hour all collided to make way for a splintered cross, an incomprehensible sacrifice, and a glorious salvation. God with us to show a path to love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, mission, joy and peace.
Sunday – Day 346 of 2021 – December 12
Colossians 1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”
————————————————–
These words of Paul to the Church in Colossae are recognized as an early Christian hymn celebrating with a song of praise to Christ. God created Adam in His own image; but Adam promptly sinned and fell from that image. This hymn of Paul proclaims with absolute conviction and praise that Jesus is divine. In these few melodious words, he proclaims Jesus as having the same image of God. He exalts the redeemer to all the earth as God. All the perfections of God’s character are fully displayed in a man. From a throne in heaven to a manger in a barn, what a change. It had to be done. God had to become a man to dwell with us, to show us the way. In our celebrations this month, I will be mindful it is more than a baby and donkeys, it is more, so much more.
Monday – Day 347 of 2021 – December 13
Psalm 130:5-8 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word, I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O, Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.”
——————————————-
The history of Israel included hope. Hope that all the rules and special regulations was enough to satisfy the Great God Jehovah. Hope that God would raise up a Messiah to free them from the rule and tyranny nations. But through the ages the first hope of doing to please God overshadowed the hope of a savior. All the religious rituals which were meticulously, put the hope of a Messiah on the back burner. When Jesus came, most missed it. They had forgotten one simple truth: God is always on the job. He is always working.
It is obvious that the innkeeper who sent Mary and Joseph to a barn did not realize he was turning away the very Messiah he should have been expecting. As the occupants of the inn were all nestled in their beds, the Son of God came very nearby. They just did not know it.
Tuesday – Day 348 of 2021 – December 14
Luke 2:7 “And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
————————————————-
It could not have been easy for a very young and very pregnant girl to understand the child she was holding was the very God who holds everything. Mary had a daunting task of supplying the needs of a baby that had been taking care of her from her own first breath. She knew that her little son was to be the savior of the world. As she held his little fingers in her hand and watching the wonder of new life wiggle and stretch, did she know they held healing for the whole world.
It is not easy for us today to look at that baby from long ago and realize Christmas is more than a birthday. The hands of a baby would be pierced. His little brow would put on a crown of thorns. Like Mary, we must stop and ponder all these things and hide them in our hearts.
Wednesday – Day 349 of 2021 – December 15
Matthew 2:2 ““Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?”
——————————————–
Tradition states there were three Magi. They were called the, “Wise Men.” Characterized as the great thinkers of the day, they studied the heavens, searching for signs, and when they saw a sign that pointed to Christ, they followed it far and wide until it led them to where Jesus was. They came to Herod for more insight and used this knowledge to find the child. Unlike the shepherds who went to see “this thing” of which they had been told, the wise men went looking for a king. The shepherds came to see Him; the wise men came to worship.
These great thinkers of the day recognized something very special about Jesus. He had been born a king; He would not become one. The one they were seeking was not like Herod, who feared for his throne. At birth, Jesus was already a king, and His kingdom would never end. Though the wise men met with Herod, they worshiped Christ. They came all that way to worship.
#
Luke 2:8 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch of their flocks at night”
—————————————————————-
Stop and read Luke 2:8-18. Jesus had just been born, but the only people who knew were His parents and the farm animals. The king had come, and the world did not receive Him. There were no relatives sending flowers, Mary’s parents did not show up. There was no baby shower. If there was ever a time to celebrate it was then. There was no one to celebrate the birth by Mary and Joseph. The Father God must have thought there was a need for a party so He announced the birth of His son to shepherds who were watching nearby. First the shepherds were terrified by the appearance of the angel and later the people of Bethlehem were amazed by the tales these same shepherds. You can easily imagine why. Of all the things people expected that morning, shepherds singing praises and announcing the coming of the Messiah was probably not high on the list. Praise from ordinary people of an extraordinary event. The first Christmas celebration!
#
Friday – Day 351 of 2021 – December 17
Luke 2:15-16 “When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.”
—————————————————-
I am not questioning God in his first choice of celebrants to the birthday party of Jesus. But why shepherds. Of the thousands of people in and around the town of Bethlehem, why shepherds? Of all the people the angel could have appeared to that night, why them? Perhaps it was because they were awake. They were watching. Their eyes were open to the perils and dangers of the night. In their effort to prevent disaster to their flock, they saw angels celebrating the birth of Christ. To these shepherds, a window into heaven itself was opened. They never dreamed what they would see, but they had kept their eyes open. If only we could see the angels all around us right now, what a wonder it would be.
#
Saturday – Day 352 of 2021 – December 18
Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”
————————————————–
ADVENT
Advent means the coming or arrival of someone or something. In most of the world it is associated with Christmas. Christmas is about an arrival. The single most significant arrival in history. The arrival of a baby in a manger, God in a little pink package.
Amid all the turmoil and commerce of this season, it is easy to miss the celebration of advent. That day over 2,000 years ago is a celebration not of presents for each other, but more a moment to stop and reflect. When we invite Jesus Christ into our hearts, He establishes a want to celebrate. He helps us understand what is our ultimate good for us. All else dims and take a lesser role. This Christmas day, let us celebrate the biggest change to the world. This month, let us celebrate the coming of a savior. This coming year let us celebrate the change of our life, a new priority to look as the shepherds and worship as the wise men. Thank God for the advent of Jesus that changes everything.
#
Sunday – Day 353 of 2021 – December 19
Isaiah 7:14 “14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
—————————-
All the effort in spreading goodwill and cheer is simply exhausting. Lights, chocolate, presents, and pumpkin pie causes such stress! “Tis the season to be jolly,” is touted and exclaimed. It is strange how a season which is known for peace and joy has turned into a season of stress and anxiety. Just because it is Christmas we expect everyone to be loving and with smiles at least trying to get along. If Christmas is just my responsibility it will never be perfect.
I need an attitude of Isaiah predicting and proclaiming to all this season that “God is with us.” Immanuel, in Hebrew, “im” means “with”, the “nu” part means “us” and the “El” means “God”. Jesus was and is the With-us-God. When his presence in our hearts and lives is at the center of all, everything begins to make sense. With-us-God is the perfect advent, the perfect Christmas.
#
Monday – Day 354 of 2021 – December 20
James 1:17 “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
—————————
Today’s culture is one of distinction, of defining each other by a thousand different characteristics. Distance is exaggerated by almost everything. The greatest dividing happens this time of year. There is an ever-expanding chasm between the Holiday of Santa Clause and Celebration of Jesus’ advent. There is a feeling in many hearts and minds that God is distant and detached from the world. I hear of lost souls attempting to find God. God is not hiding. He is not distant. He has drawn close to us through Jesus. Christmas is the account of God taking on the form of a baby. A baby that lived and grew up as King of Kings. He lived as we do. He is not detached and unsympathetic. He understands our hectic hearts. By His coming we are to be united to God and to each other.
Tuesday – Day 355 of 2021 – December 21
—————————
The language of the Bible is often wrought with misunderstandings and have been used to support a million ideas and sometimes as many heresies. One such scripture is found here in Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi. There are those who would take this verse to say Jesus was not God but a form of God; i.e. someone that accepted and manifested a mere appearance. As I pray and study I know Jesus is more than an imitation of God. I believe Jesus is the true revelation of the object itself. Jesus was simply and dynamically and eternally God. That is the reason for our celebration this week. Not a party because someone lived well and did much. But God in, of, about, manifested in a baby in a manger. Immanuel. If he was not, then we might as well celebrate Santa Clause and let it just be that. For me Christmas is about the advent the arrival of God in our midst. And for that I am both thankful and joyous.
#
Wednesday – Day 356 of 2021 – December 22
Micah 5:2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”
————————–
Time is a tough concept. If we are waiting as a child for the day of opening of presents, time is long and seems slow to a snail’s pace. As I walk my path of my autumn years, days seem like hours. The Jews were expecting the Messiah. This scripture points to this expectation. But there had been promises for hundreds of years. Promises of something that would happen that would change everything. Promises of one man to change the course of history. Promises for a ruler in all of Israel. But here in Micah, often used to foretell the place of the Messiah, there is something more. It speaks of this Messiah being more than a finite man living a life. It speaks of a ruler that has always been. A ruler that comes from all the days of eternity. Time is a tough concept. All the waiting, all the expectation, all the anticipation and they missed it. Because they were looking for a man and not an eternal and glorious Savior.
#
Thursday – Day 357 of 2021 – December 23
Luke 2:8 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch of their flocks at night”
————————
I keep coming back to that night in a field. Ordinary, men, smelling of their charge, odorific at least. Watching their sheep. Doing the things shepherds do. What a boring job. Watching sleeping sheep under a stary sky. Watching for any hint of change. Watching for anything out of the ordinary. But fully expecting nothing.
A party broke out in heaven. Not just any party but a celebration that could not be constrained. The angels were shouting and praising the newborn king. It was a party of the ages. It spilled out of heaven and as if a great tear between heaven and earth was created by the unconstrained excitement. It was in the gap between heaven and earth and the shepherds were astonished by the sight. For that moment in all eternity, heaven became the focus. A split in heaven’s veil was torn and the Glory of God was revealed. What a glorious thought. Oh, to have been there when heaven could no longer hold all the praise and joy of God. To be there and be illuminated by the very holy of God.
In a couple of days, we too can behold the glory of God in our own hearts.
#
Friday – Day 358 of 2021 – December 24 – Christmas Eve
Matthew 2:11 “On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”
————————————————
These Magi were the great scholars of their day. They were the intellectuals, the affluent, the height of the ruling class. On seeing Christ, their first reaction was worship. They bowed in both intellects and in emotion. It was a moment frozen in time in nativity scenes for hundreds of years. But as the moment passed, after worshiping Him, they opened their treasures to Him. Moments of worship have a way of preparing our hearts to do more. For these men, that moment of worship led to the presentation of gifts. Rather than just hand Him the one thing they had each brought, they opened all their treasures to Him, giving Him very valuable gifts. It’s doubtful they traveled all that way, risking their lives by angering Herod, and then gave Him a small token of affection. They lavished their gifts upon Him for they realized God was lavishing a great gift on them.
#
Saturday – Day 359 of 2021 – December 25 – It’s Christmas!
Isaiah 9:6 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace
———————————————–
It is Christmas day! Celebrate, feel the joy unspeakable and full of glory. This month has been one of preparation. Day after day great wonders of God’s love and joy have been revealed to us. This child will take assume the foundation of all governments! God as a counselor is in the wonderful business. A baby wrapped around a mighty God. An old barn houses the Eternal Father. Wisemen and shepherds have found the Prince of Peace. Today, please take time to worship the God who still does wonders. He has not stopped working. He still has plans. Please don’t limit God on what He has done in the past. God delights in doing new things. Let this day be a day of new beginnings. Beginnings of joy, peace, and wonder.
#
Sunday – Day 360 of 2021 – December 26
Matthew 1:18-25 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
———————–
Christmas is a big deal. It has permeated into popular culture. There are Christmas songs, movies, twenty-four-hour Christmas television channels, sweaters, pajamas, and cookies. Each of these tries to remind us of comfort and joy. Advent, the coming, the arrival, God knocking on our door is what Christmas is about. And like Tiny Tim said in Dickens’, A Christmas Carol, “God bless us, everyone.” Christmas celebrations are a time to stop and meditate on the greatest gift of all. Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.
#
Monday – Day 361 of 2021 – December 27
Peter 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
——————————————-
It is time to begin again. Precisely the gospel, every life, every, year, every day is a new beginning. Today my new beginning is in the prospect of a new year of discovery of God’s word for my life. Some of you simply scroll by these missives. Ignoring the message or even the messenger is OK by me. I write and I study, I deeply dive, it is my regimen for each new beginning. These words get me up in the morning. I do it for the betterment of life. I praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! for His great mercy. I am up one more day to be and to do what this new beginning has for me. It is a living hope. A precious hope.
#
Tuesday – Day 362 of 2021 – December 28
John 3:16 “For God so love the world, ‘and that includes me’, that He gave His only begotten Son.
————————————–
It is coming. The new year with new opportunities. This occasion has always been one of introspection. A time of stepping back and looking at ourselves. I believe we don’t understand our dimensions within the world in which we live our lives of monotony. We do not view ourselves with accuracy. We are far larger and far more marvelous than the person that stares back in the mirror. Most of us only hear only the uncountable negatives. If we could imagine ourselves invisible and hearing everyone around us, the assumption would be all that was said would be about the things and actions of our lives that are not perfect. In our efforts to value ourselves we go with the flow and pick at every scar, every imperfection in our lives. This year I will not give in to the small and the minutia of what could have been or should have done. This year will be one of seeing myself as one with gifts. Someone that is of high worth. To see beyond the naysayers and see me in God’s eyes. I am worth the love, grace, and mercy God has bestowed upon me.
#
Wednesday – Day 363 of 2021 – December 29
2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
——————————-
Discipline is such a tough word. A word filled with doing something because we must. It speaks of a restriction from what you really want to do. The new year is almost upon us. Promises will be made which are well-intended keepers. Nevertheless, most are based on this negative word of discipline. I will conform to an uncomfortable mold to be a better me. I will lose weight, I will study more, I will be more politically correct, I will be more like how everyone around me expects. Discipline, what a thankless word. It is making efforts in which I have tried before and failed. It is mustering up the strength to accomplish something of which I have little energy available.
Maybe I just need a new word. I don’t need to discipline, I need routine. I need a creative constant in my life that brings me joy and not pain. If I can set eight hours apart for rest and maybe a quick half-hour nap as a routine maybe I can just as easily create a specific set apart for being creative or helpful or loving. That would not be a discipline, it would be just something I do on a regular basis. It is something I set my focus on for that moment, that allotted time, and be glad in it.
#
Thursday – Day 364 of 2021 – December 30
Hebrews 12:10-11 “They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
—————————————
Our accomplishments, while diligently attempted, and meticulously managed happen most often when we do not see the effects ourselves. The ease and difficulty of our intended actions have little to do with the quality of what is produced. There have been times I write something or teach something and I think it is just awful, yet the results are greater than the effort. A “bad day” can produce “good stuff”. The point here is to just do it. Don’t hold back because you may or may not see the effects. Plant a seed, give a gift without telling who it is from. Park your car away from the store door so that someone else can have a special “Look what I found moment.” I will not be persuaded by the mood of the moment and not do something special for someone else.
#
Friday – Day 365 of 2021 – December 31
Isaiah 43:18-21 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor Me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, My chosen, to the people I formed for Myself that they may proclaim My praise.”
———————————————-
God formed you that you may give Him praise. Tonight, as the clock reaches midnight, put the past behind you. Stop dwelling on the could haves and should-haves. But we hear the clock ticking down, it is OK to remember the weary places you have been. It is OK to remember the hard times and the losses. Nevertheless, when that final tick makes its unrelenting march, let them go. New year’s moment is one of both death and birth. It is letting go and opening yourself to the new. And at that moment, I will praise God’s holy name.
#