Disciple

Frankly Speaking,

“But to all who believed Him and accepted Him,
He gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1:12 NLT

ANTICIPATION ~ 2025! For most of us 2024, is just a memory now. Christmas already seems long ago. It has only been a little over a week, but the year is starting over! Life begins anew in January. The calendar resets. All that we have done, good or bad, has a sort of reset. In some jobs, you must prove yourself all over again. In some circles, you just want to break free of the seemingly endless cycle. To paraphrase Dr. Suess’ Oh the Places You’ll Go: we have bills to pay, doctors to see, work to do, kids to raise, trials to encounter, unimagined joys to share, and terribly difficult moments to navigate. How will we do it all? Amy Grant wrote wonderful lyrics about being too busy at Christmas, but it applies to the whole year! Do you agree?

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

I know I have shared this before, and will do it again (LORD willing). We need QUIET TIME! There are four things we need: a Time, a Place, and a Plan.

First, we need to make a special time to spend with JESUS every day. Some of us are morning people, others are mourning people (we hate to hear the alarm sound).😊 Pick a time that works for you and stick to it ~ day or night!

Second, we need a place. No, the LORD does not wait to meet you at church. Find a place that is special to meet with the LORD alone, and be consistent!

Third, you need a plan. Something that leads you in your time with the LORD as you inhale His Word and exhale your prayers to Him! It is your daily plan!

Finally, if you were paying attention, then you say, “what about the fourth thing?” 😉 It is embedded throughout this writing! It is consistency. If you want a better year, then follow this biblical prescription. It will work! 😊

LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS.

Blessings in CHRIST,

Pastor Wes

I PETER 3:15

FRANKLY SPEAKING,

“So the king paid no attention to the people. This turn of events was THE WILL OF THE LORD, for it fulfilled THE LORD’S MESSAGE to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from SHILOH.” I Kings 12:15

DIVIDED! ~ How did things get to be this way? There seem to always be two groups of people who cannot find a common ground. Two polarizing groups who hold only to their point of view. In my house, we endured the “peanut butter wars.” I liked Peter Pan; Cheryl trusted JIF. Guess What? For many years, we had JIF in our house. However, we had to get Peter Pan for a short season during the recent JIF recall. That makes me right after all! Right? 😊

We are a DIVIDED people! We argue about a two-party political system of government in our relationships, our posts, and on social media. We allow this to affect our conversations and attitudes. These two political terms are not found in the BIBLE. Since we have received CHRIST’S life-changing grace and HIS discipleship teachings from the WORD OF GOD, then shouldn’t we trust GOD in every season? We must trust the ONE WHO installs kings and presidents and WHO rules over nations. But, let’s be nice about it?

Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]. Colossians 4:6 AMPC

I believe we can disagree while still being “winsome” followers of CHRIST. Nevertheless, many in the body of CHRIST seem to have joined the “Karen’s” in our world who are quick to spew anger and hatred any time they feel put out. Billy Graham prayed with politicians from both parties pointing each leader to JESUS. So, let’s follow the BIBLE and be “Winsome!” Oh yeah! For my friends who don’t do “church,” I think of the lyrics from the Beatle’s song, as though JESUS is speaking. “Come Together, right now, over ME!” Let’s avoid being so DIVIDED and try this… ~ Hate the Devil ~ Love people! ~ 😊

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

readyforafreshstart

Bold thoughts from a bruised theologian with a touch of balderdash

Meeting at the Feet of JESUS ~ Anticipation ~ 2025

DIVIDED!