New Year, New Life

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Arrow

Around the world this year, babies will be born and begin a brand new life on earth.

For those of us who’ve been around a while, there have been many times we’ve wanted to start anew as well.

Paul wrote to believers, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4).

New life is something God offers all people. A chance to start over with a clean slate means complete forgiveness.

Peter wrote to believers, “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” (1 Peter 1:3).

Our new life should look different from our old way of life. Paul taught to put off the old self and “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:10).

Being made new is a life-long process. Praise God, we can always come before Him, confess our sins, receive forgiveness, and begin anew. Jeremiah writes, “Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

It’s a new year! If you’ve never chosen to follow Jesus, there is no better time. Believe that He is God’s Son who died for the sins of all people. Accept Him. Live for Him. He will live in you and His Holy Spirit will guide you through the new year and in your new life.

Happy New Year!

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The Blessing of Rest

Posted on December 28, 2022 by Arrow

Ah, today is the Wednesday between Christmas and New Year’s Day. If you are not traveling on vacation, it is probably a day where things are slowing down a bit, perhaps a time to pause and rest, maybe even sleep in or take a nap. I hope you have some quiet time alone, take time to ponder, and allow God to guide your plans and goals for the new year. Relax and rest in Him. Sit in His Presence, open His Word, and allow it to speak to your heart.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

We can be encouraged in that we do not have to do life alone. God is with believers. His name Emmanuel means ‘God with us.’ In Him, we find strength and help with burdens as well as rest.

David wrote, “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him” (Psalm 62:1). He turned to God with His troubles in search for rest and found it.

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).

True rest is a blessing from the Lord. On the night of Jesus’s birth, the angels praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

May God’s favor rest on you as you seek rest in Him!

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The Word

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Arrow

Words ~ What words specifically remind you of Christmas? As I began brainstorming, I came up with mistletoe, reindeer, wreath, Santa, pine trees, presents, snow, and carols, which reminded me of who we are singing about, Jesus. I added to my list:  star, angels, manger, nativity, Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph, shepherds, and Son of God.

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The disciple John explained that Jesus was the Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

In the introduction to the book of John, The Message Bible explains, “God’s word takes on human form and enters history in the person of Jesus. Jesus speaks the word and it happens: forgiveness and judgment, healing and illumination, mercy and grace, joy and love, freedom and resurrection. Everything broken and fallen, sinful and diseased, called into salvation by God’s spoken word.”

The Word created our world, entered into our world, and became human. He spoke words of salvation and eternal life. Jesus said, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Bread alone cannot sustain life. God sustains life as we trust Him and live in obedience to His will.

May we have a word with this Savior, enter into a relationship with Him, and bring Him our words of adoration, thanksgiving, and worship.

May your Christmas be blessed!

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God Came to Earth

Posted on December 14, 2022 by Arrow

In the fall, I was finishing up some edits for my publisher for a children’s book. My purpose for writing this picture book was to get kiddos excited about reading God’s Word. It reads like a fast-paced highlight reel of the Bible, presenting miracles, amazing characters, and spectacular events, so of course, I included Jesus coming to earth.

According to the publisher’s theological review team, that’s what needed fixed. I learned that technically, it is not accurate to say, “Jesus came to earth.” Jesus, as a human, did not come to earth because He did not have a human nature before He came to earth. But it is correct to say, “God came to earth” or “God’s Son came to earth.” I appreciated the clarification.

Think about it this Christmas season: God, the Creator of all, came to earth and took on the form of a human. The apostle Paul describes it this way. “He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human.” (Philippians 2:6-7 The Message).

What an amazing gift to the world. God became man so that mankind could have the opportunity to have a personal relationship with the God of the universe!

Note: My rhyming picture book, The Greatest Book Ever! (A Little Book about the Greatest Book), is scheduled for release September 2023 from B&H Publishing (Lifeway Christian Resources).

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Peace in the Seasons

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Arrow

With the calendar reading December, you might expect something relating to winter or the season of Christmas. Instead, let’s look at how to maneuver through difficult seasons in life that may include seasons of new beginnings, seasons of waiting, seasons of dark valleys, and seasons of pain.

The question is, will we be on an emotional rollercoaster as we ride through seasons like these or can we maintain a heart and mind filled with peace?

The apostle Paul wrote a lot about peace. It seems that peace is grounded on two foundational pillars, trust and thanksgiving. Romans 15:13 teaches that joy and peace come through trusting in God. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Trust for our present and future is strengthened when we remember the ways God has proven His trustworthiness in the past. We can see how God has demonstrated His trustworthiness throughout Scripture and to believers in the church today. God has met our needs before and we can trust Him with our present and future.

Thanksgiving is the second pillar that produces peace. Paul encouraged the fearful church with this. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Replace those pleas of panic with prayers of thankfulness for what God has already done and will do.

When fear, anxiety, and depression loom to steal our peace, knock them out with a one-two punch of trust and thankfulness. And, let God’s peace guard your heart and mind.

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Feeling Annoyed?

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Arrow

Some days, does it feel like everything and everyone around you is annoying? Noises rapping at your brain, a loud TV, ringing and pinging phones, bothersome emails, or background conversations?

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Today’s that day for me, so I opened my concordance (at the back of my Bible) to look up the word “annoy”. Well close, I found “annoyance”. Here’s a word of wisdom I found in Proverbs 12:16. “A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult” (NIV). The Message Bible words it this way, “Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults.”

Okay, so I guess I’ll do a lot of shrugging off and overlooking today. I think I’ll imagine an umbrella over me for protection. I will choose to not let those annoyances agitate, bother, disturb, exasperate, gall, irk, peeve, or perturb me. (LOL! The ever-handy Thesaurus.com.) Just let ‘em roll off! I’m moving on to the task at hand and ignoring . . . whatever-it-is.

I guess it comes back to focus, which reminds me of Colossians 3:2. “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” “Things above” does not include annoyances. “Things above” makes me think of God’s peace, His patience with me, His overlooking and forgiving the annoying things I do. Ah, refocusing is good!

Philippians 4:8 has a beautiful summary. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

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Beyond Thankful

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Arrow

When we look around, it’s easy to spot those who seem to be more blessed than us. They have high level positions, expensive clothes and cars, and smiling photos on social media.

But, it’s just as easy to see those who are going through difficult times. Someone loses a job or financial stability. Or, life is changed as the result of an accident or illness.

When we think about thankfulness this week, let’s not compare ourselves to others. Let’s look at our own life. Take notice. Do you have clothes, transportation, a home, a job, family, food? Give thanks for what you do have.

If you live in America, you enjoy many freedoms. We are free to worship, pray, read God’s Word, and teach others about Jesus. Give thanks. (Many around the world are currently imprisoned or are being persecuted for doing those same things.)

Do you have the use of any of your senses? Give thanks! Do you have a safe place to sleep? Give thanks! Do you have a friend? Give thanks.

What about God’s gift of salvation that He offers us freely? Jesus paid the debt for sin so believers can stand before God as righteous. If you’ve made a life decision to follow Jesus, you have much to be thankful for: God’s forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, eternal life, peace beyond our understanding, and on and on.

Beyond giving thanks, let’s give God praise. Raise up our hands. Lift up our voices in song. Clap our hands or dance. Perhaps, even shout to the Lord. He is definitely worthy to receive more than thanks. May we give Him our praise!

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4).

Thanking and praising God for you, readers!

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Escape and Experience

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Arrow

Sometimes God’s Word just blows my mind! (Like beyond what we can think or imagine!) To me, 2 Peter 1:4 does just that. The Apostle Peter writes, “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

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First, note what we are escaping. The world’s corruption. (I’m all for that!) Also, see where that corruption comes from. Evil desires. Evil desires cause the world to become corrupt. Evil desires include satisfying my own needs first and insisting that I be in control. So, what should I replace those desires with?

How about experiencing and participating in the divine nature of God? (That’s hard to wrap my mind around!)

The first phrase of this verse includes the word “these” referring to the end of the previous verse talking about God’s “glory and goodness.” God’s glory and goodness has provided us with His promises. The promises of eternal life in Him, the gift of salvation and forgiveness, and His Holy Spirit living in us allows us to participate in and experience His divine nature or God Himself. (Wow! That’s what I want to do!)

So, each day I want to spend time talking with and listening to the One and Only God who speaks, guides, and empowers me to become more like Him. I want to walk with Him 24/7 and do life with Him, living in His Presence as His Presence lives in me.

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Our Role as Shepherds

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Arrow

When we think of shepherds, we typically imagine the guys who tend sheep. But Scripture gives the title of shepherds to many. Kings, prophets, national influencers, as well as leaders in the church were all called shepherds.

My guess is everyone is shepherding, leading, or influencing someone in some way.

2600 years ago, after many of Judah’s residents were taken as exiles to Babylon, the prophet Ezekiel had stern chastisement for the shepherds of Israel. Instead of taking care of the people, helping the weak, sick, and injured, and searching for the lost, they were only taking care of themselves. Without a true shepherd, the people became scattered and vulnerable. (Ezekiel 34)

At that point, God Himself stepped in and promised to rescue and look after Israel. He took on the task of seeking out the lost, bringing them to safety, binding up the injured, strengthening the weak, and tending to the needs of His people.

As believers, we are to be like Christ, serving and helping others. Let’s take time to watch for who God puts in our path today. Who needs a helping hand, a meal or cool drink, a word of encouragement or listening ear? Is there family, friend, or acquaintance who needs our expertise with a project or needs someone to support them through a difficult time? Is God reminding us to send a text or card to the lonely or disillusioned?

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Our life’s purpose is not to simply live for ourselves. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

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Debt Forgiven

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Arrow

Most of us have experienced debt at one time or another. A car, tuition, or home loan, a medical bill, or even a debt of gratitude. Many debts are eventually paid off. Some are forgiven. And others hang heavily on our hearts and minds, whether it’s a debt we owe or one owed us.

A loved one recently passed away in our family leaving a wake of heartache in the lives of many. Whether it was on purpose or a symptom of her mental health issues, only the Lord knows. It is now up to the recipients of hurtful words and actions to decide how they will deal with them. No earthly apology will be heard.

Scripture guides us to not keep a record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). For our own mental and spiritual health, which affects our physical well-being, it is always best to forgive. Webster defines forgiveness as “giving up resentment against or the desire to punish, to overlook (an offense), to cancel (a debt).”

Forgiveness does not mean the guilty are innocent or justified or that what they did was right. Forgiveness is a choice to let go of the offense and give it to the Lord, to not feel the need to hold the offender accountable. That’s up to the Lord. (It is not our assignment. What a relief!)

Sometimes forgiveness is a journey. It may take repeated attempts to forgive, a daily decision to allow painful memories to fade and replace them with better ones, trusting that the Lord knows all. Remember that line in the Lord’s prayer. “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).

Thank God, He made a way for our debt of sin to be forgiven through Jesus. May we grant forgiveness to others.

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