New Year's Revolution
“Now listen to me, you that say, "Today or tomorrow we will travel to a certain city, where we will stay a year and go into business and make a lot of money." You don't even know what your life tomorrow will be! You are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears. What you should say is this: "If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15
Here we are at the starting line of a new year and with the greatest of intentions we'll make resolutions for the coming year. Some resolutions may be to save more and spend less or eat better and lose weight. Others may be deeply personal: to control ones temper or be kinder and gentler to others. Whatever form it takes, statistics show that in six months sixty percent will have abandoned their resolutions and at eleven months ninety percent of the balance will have done the same.
Our desire is great, but our will is not. We don't know what the next minute holds - let alone the next year. Try as we might very few of us can do a U-turn and suddenly go in a totally different direction.
I can get up every morning pledging to make all the right choices no matter what comes my way, but I've found that in my own strength I can't. My strength is wholly in the Lord. When I waiver, He doesn't.
I challenge you to do what I've done. Make a New Year's Revolution. Put Jesus in the driver’s seat and don't make any decisions without His direction. Let Him take you through each day. Consult with Him for everything. A resolve can quickly dissolve, but a revolution can change your life forever. Blessing will flow if you entrust all things to Him.
What's A Friend?
“The sweet smell of incense can make you feel good, but true friendship is better still.” Proverbs 27:9
I need friends and life's brighter because of them. Unfortunately a portion of my life was spent in mild depression brought on by a consumption of loneliness. I could never spend enough time with or have enough friends to quench the depression. I thought a plethora of friends, even it they weren't good for me, would make everything better, but it didn't. I thought getting married would be the answer, again not so. Well maybe having children would fit the bill, nope. Friendship is vital that's for certain, but it wasn't until I forged a relationship with Jesus that all things fell into their proper place. I can't expect my husband, whom I love very much, never to hurt or disappoint me. And to expect that my children or anyone else will give my life meaning is unfair.
Who I am and what I become grows from a relationship with Jesus. The emptiness that consumed me was my need for Him. He's my friend. He sticks closer than a brother. He never leaves nor forsakes. He never says anything that scars me.
Yes, friends are important. They're part of my success. Someone to call for prayer or council in sticky situations. Job 16:21, “I want someone to plead with God for me, as one pleads for a friend.” I don't want friends that tell me what I want to hear to make me feel better, but friends that speak truth even if it's painful. Proverbs 27:6, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” God uses friendships to make us better. Proverbs 12:26, “The righteous person is a guide to his friends, but the path of the wicked leads them astray.” So, what's a friend? Choose wisely.
Past Lighthouse Living Entries:
January 1 & 8, 2014 Resolutions AND What's a Friend?
December 18 & 25, 2013 Divine Appt: Provision & Presentation
December 11, 2013 Divine Appt: Plan
December 4, 2013 Divine Appt: Promise
November 27, 2013 Sentence Commuted
November 13, 2013 Veteran Thank You
November 6, 2013 I am Number Three
October 30, 2013 How Great Our God Is
October 16, 2013 Spiritual Shutdown
September 25, 2013 The Equal Sign
September 18, 2013 Ripple Effect
September 11, 2013 Our Sailing Master
September 4, 2013 Unemployed Believers
August 28, 2013 Merry Go Round
August 21, 2013 Self Medication
August 14, 2013 Splendor OR Squalor
August 7, 2013 Step Into the LIGHT
May 15, 2013 Unshakeable Peace
April 24, 2013 Re-New NOT Re-Chew
April 10, 2013 Debit OR Credit
March 27, 2013 Sacrificial Worship
March 13, 2013 Priceless Worship
February 27, 2013 Stop the Insanity
February 20, 2013 Pursued OR Pursuer
February 13, 2013 Supernatural
February 6, 2013 Break Out With Praise
January 9, 2013 Bear I DON'T Bare It
January 2, 2013 New Resolutions
December 12, 2012 Plan of Purpose
November 28, 2012 Well Developed
November 21, 2012 Sincerely Thankful
November 14, 2012 Surrendering the Pieces for Peace
November 7, 2012 Sailing Master
October 17, 2012 Who Am I? Really??
October 10, 2012 Vote For Morality
October 3, 2012 Mercy, Who Me?
September 12, 2012 Basket Case
September 5, 2012 Christ-Like Boldness
August 29, 2012 Overcome & Fortify
August 22, 2012 Love Pure and Holy
June 27, 2012 Deceptive Packaging
June 20, 2012 Assurance NOT Insurance
June 13, 2012 Unexpected Blessing
May 30, 2012 Packing Your Bags
May 16, 2012 Our Being - In Him
May 9, 2012 Know His Annointing
April 18, 2012 This Day's Needs
February 29, 2012 Something New
February 22, 2012 Something New
February 15, 2012 Something New
February 8, 2012 Something New
February 1, 2012 Something New
January 25, 2012 A Perfect World
December 21, 2011 Create Impact
December 14, 2011 Unspeakable Love
December 7, 2011 That's A Wrap
November 30, 2011 Give Gift of HOPE
November 23, 2011 Foot Washing
November 16, 2011 Anti-Depression
November 2, 2011 Investment Portfolio
October 19, 2011 Take A Closer Look
October 12, 2011 A Deliberate God
September 21, 2011 Learning To Lean
September 7, 2011 Drink More Water
August 17, 2011 Stones of Provision
August 10, 2011 Chasing Rainbows
August 3, 2011 Great Expectations
June 29, 2011 One Nation Under God
June 22, 2011 Are You Listening?
June 15, 2011 You've Got Talent
April 27, 2011 Be Careful Little Mouth
April 20, 2011 Nothing To Save
March 23, 2011 Make Your Stand
March 9, 2011 Under Construction
Feb. 23, 2011 Use It OR Lose It
Feb. 16, 2011 What's On The Menu
Feb. 9, 2011 Meek Isn't Milk Toast
Feb. 2, 2011 Joy Comes In The Mourning
Jan. 5, 2011 Peacemakers VS Piece-makers
Dec. 8, 2010 Star Light, Star Bright
Oct. 27, 2010 Intended Purpose
Oct. 13, 2010 Today Is The Day
Sept. 22, 2010 Undiscovered Treasures
August 11, 2010 Spiritual Eyes
August 4, 2010 Heart of Worship
June 30, 2010 Structurally Sound
May 12, 2010 A Supporting Cast
February 24, 2010 Face To Face
February 17, 2010 Drifting With Purpose
January 27, 2010 Perfected In Obedience
January 20, 2010 Building Plan
December 16, 2009 Say It Loud And Proud
December 2, 2009 On Or Through
November 25, 2009 A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
November 18, 2009 The Veil Was Torn
October 28, 2009 Sing A New Song
October 21, 2009 A Time of Change
October 14, 2009 WDJD, not WWJD
October 7, 2009 Follow The Signs
September 30, 2009 Walk The Word
September 23, 2009 Are You Resting?
September 16, 2009 Not A Nothing
September 2, 2009 A Cracked Pot
August 12, 2009 Disappointment
July 22, 2009 What's In Your Wagon?
July 8, 2009 Let There Be Light
June 24, 2009 Feast During Famine