quiet time

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,

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

~ Judges 21:25

THE BOOK OF JUDGES! ~ FAILURE! Have you ever used a COMPASS CORRECTLY? In the northern hemisphere the needle of a working compass will always point north. If you are lost or confused on your journey, then a COMPASS will lead you in the right direction to get you where you need to go. You simply need to know where you are and where you need to go.

It may seem too easy. Of course, it should be. Before the nation of Israel had a king, GOD sent JUDGES or DELIVERERS to Israel to RESCUE the nation from the oppression and suffering they continually found themselves in because they failed to listen to GOD. It was a vicious cycle of disobedience, bondage, misery, liberation, and compromises. It is painful to watch as we read about them.

Do you remember, Deborah, Gideon, and Samson? Each of these BIBLE characters were renown throughout our Sunday school classes in years past. Each tale is filled with GOD’S rescue plan for the nation during the JUDGE’S reign. However, each shows a horrible weakness in the lives of those GOD called to be JUDGE. Barak’s failure leads to Deborah’s Song. Gideon’s Fear leads to GOD’S great victory. Samson’s pride leads to Israel’s fall. ☹

Despair naturally follows disobedience. It’s so much easier to follow the LORD. It makes us think, “Why didn’t they just do better?” “Why didn’t they just honor GOD and follow HIS rules?” Every day, I find myself asking as I watch people struggling to hold it together and look up: “Why don’t they just honor GOD and follow HIS rules?” “What’s wrong with them?”

Then, in my quiet time with GOD after days of busyness it hits me: “Why don’t I just honor GOD and follow HIS rules?” “Why don’t I meet with GOD more often and pray and read HIS WORD?” Henry Blackaby tells us that when GOD speaks to us, HE is inviting us to join HIM. Then, we must adjust our lives to follow HIS PLAN. Remember, your BIBLE is your COMPASS! 😊

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

True North!