Jesus and the Temple

Jesus had just condemned the Pharisees, calling them whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but full of dead men’s bones. And then he left the temple. 

The disciples were stunned, I’m sure, and didn’t know quite what to say. So they turned to the temple and asked him, “But isn’t this beautiful?” And Jesus replied, “Don’t you get it? This temple will be destroyed! Everything is about to change.” (Becky paraphrase)

And it did. Jesus walked away from that temple—never to return. It was destroyed 40 years later. And Jesus chose a new temple—your heart and mine. 

I look back on my life (as I was doing this morning) and grieve that I’ve often been like those Pharisees—so convinced I was RIGHT (and often over stupid stuff)—but was actually full of self. Dead bones. I still have a choice as the temple of God. I can choose to look beautiful on the outside and be full of death…or I can allow Christ to sit on the throne of my heart and be what He intended—full of LIFE!

Jesus changed everything. 

We ARE the temple of God. 

Psalm 23

This is Psalm 23 taken from my study of the Hebrew words. I’ve made it my prayer. 

Jehovah, the God of Israel, is my shepherd. He tends to me and my needs. He is my companion and friend. I have no lack—there are no wants or failures. In fact, there are no decreases at all. I have all I need.  

He makes me lie down (much like I did in the womb). He lays me across his breast. I stretch out in green pastures which has new, soft grass or herbs. It’s soft to lay on and good to eat—my food of choice.  This is my home with the shepherd.  He leads me with care to a watering station and a place to rest. This is water than runs with a sparkle—it’s quiet and melodic. It refreshes me. 

The shepherd restores me—he turns me back to God. I return to the beginning. My soul is the seat of my mind, my will, and my emotions. He helps me return to the way God intended me to be from the beginning of time.  He guides and governs me in the track of rightness, righteousness, justice, and deliverance for the purpose and intent of his reputation, fame, and glory.  

Even though I follow the shepherd and walk through the gorge with deep shadows like death or the grave, I will not be fearful or dread the evil, bad intentions, adversity, distress, calamity, misery, wrong, evil, or injury intended toward me. For you are with me, beside me, and bound to me. Your rod to protect and rule and your staff to lean on and rescue me comforts me. 

You arrange and set in order a table before me (conspicuously) in front of my enemy who binds me and causes distress. You fatten me with prosperity and fruitfulness. My cup is saturated and runs over with wealth. 

Indeed, goodness, bounty, pleasantness, agreeableness, happiness, and wealth—along with mercy, kindness, faithfulness, and lovingkindness—will chase me each and every day of my life. I will dwell and remain in God’s family home forever. 

Don’t be Deceived

The disciples had gathered around Jesus and were asking him, “Tell us when will these things be (the last days)? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of this age?”

Jesus’ first words were, “Take heed that no one deceives you.”  That’s his first words? They were asking what the days would look like (thinking they’d experience them). And Jesus says, “Don’t be deceived.”?

I thought I better look up the Greek word here. What is deception in this context? It means to be led away from the right way, to be led away from truth, to be seduced.  Wow.  

The enemy isn’t going to come to seduce us with horns and a pitchfork. Hell use what looks beautiful, alluring, and enticing to lead us away from truth. At the beginning, it may just be a little step away from truth—and even sound like truth. But the enemy’s intent is to destroy us with lies. 

It’s imperative to be hypervigilant with truth today. The Word of God IS truth! If you’re not reading the Bible, you won’t know the truth. You have nothing to compare with what you’re hearing. You’re already set up for failure. 

Stay alert!  Jesus’ first words when talking about these days was, “Don’t be deceived.” He knew we’d be bombarded with lies, half-truths, and near-truths. He knew that it would be hard to avoid deception. And his desire is that we finish well.  

Don’t be deceived. 

Five Smooth Stones

There’s a GIANT!!!  

Are you facing a giant in your life? Or maybe, like me, there’s a giant assigned to your family to intimidate, threaten, control, bully, distract, destroy—and who screams in terrorizing fear. Its intent is to stop you and your family from fulfilling God’s good plan. That’s the giant I’m facing.  

I’m ready to fight, aren't you? I’ve picked up five smooth stones and I’m armed with my slingshot. I’ve had to shake off fear and now I’ve taken my first step in faith. Faith is the critical component to this battle. 

The stones? The Word of God—that’s my weapon. I chose five smooth stones that are familiar to me and seem to pertain to my family. They are well-worn because they’ve been used for thousands of generations. Ephesians 6:17 says we speak the Word and the Spirit wields it. I don’t even have to be an accurate marksman—thank goodness!

I’m facing this giant who has defied the name of the MOST HIGH GOD!!!  Of course, this enemy wants to destroy me and my family—but it’s because of Who we represent! It’s not even really about me. It’s about God Almighty.  

I step out in faith (NOT fear!). I tell this giant that he has defied the MOST HIGH GOD! I put the Word in my slingshot and let it fly! I speak and read the Word that God has given me into the atmosphere. I aim high. Did you realize what I’m actually doing? I’m shooting JESUS!  He IS the Word! I don’t have to be a marksman because I’m shooting Jesus, who is all power—more powerful than dynamite! The Spirit then wields the Word I’ve released perfectly. All I have to do is show up in faith with my five smooth stones and release them. God takes over from there. 

I’m putting an end to this reign of terror through faith and the Word of God…and the power of the Most High God. 

When Ministry is Hard

Is ministry hard at times? You better believe it! I believe it will get harder and harder as Jesus’ return draws closer.  II Timothy 3 tells us what to expect—people who love themselves and money, there will be those who are unthankful and unholy, traitors, those who love the world more than God, etc., etc. The problem is most of us don’t take God at His Word. We take a new church thinking, “This is IT! People will love and follow us, we’ll thrive as a congregation, and expand the kingdom of God.” We fail to remember pastors like Paul. The kingdom of God WILL expand—but it will most likely happen at the hands of trials, conflict, and persecution. 

In II Timothy 4, Paul asks Timothy to come to him. He’s reached the end of his ministry and life and is in PRISON. He tells Timothy that his helper, Demas, has forsaken him because he loved the world more than God. He warns Timothy to beware of Alexander the coppersmith who did him harm and will do the same to him. He says no one stood with him at his defense—he was completely forsaken. 

But…Paul then tells Timothy that God stood with him and strengthened him that the gospel might be fully preached to the Gentiles. He goes on to declare that God will deliver him from every evil work (which appeared imminent) and preserve him for the heavenly kingdom. 

Did you catch it? Paul was warning Timothy of clear and present danger as a minister of the gospel. It’s always had its challenges, difficulties, and dangers. But by his example, he was telling Timothy it was all worth it to spread the gospel. His strength was God. His focus was the end goal of the kingdom of heaven.  

It’s so easy to make our difficulties our focus! But there is absolutely nothing new under the sun. Satan has always and will always fight the kingdom of God and the spread of the gospel. The question is…where will we find our strength? What will be our focus? 

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:2 NLT

Jesus and the Money Changers

On Monday, after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus went to the temple.  When he got there, he began driving out the money changers and animals with a whip. They were THIEVES. As Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers and money went flying, he declared,  “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”

I’ll be honest, this story always confused me. Hang with me a minute…when you understand that WE are now the temple of God it begins to make more sense. Think of the temple in three parts—outer court, holy place, and holy of holies. Our outer court is our body. Our holy place is our soul—our mind, will, and emotions. Our holy of holies is our spirit. If we’ve received Christ as our savior, our spirit is sealed by the Spirit of God. Satan then doesn’t have access to our spirit. But…he and his demons can attack our bodies and our souls—our mind, will, and emotions. 

We are the temple—and are to be houses of prayer. Satan hates that! So he steals, kills, and destroys. Do you think Jesus gets angry when Satan steals from us? YES! He created us for praise, for fellowship, for delight. He is enraged when Satan tries to distort God’s purpose for us!!

Like Jesus, I’ve been so angry lately!!  Lives are being shattered and destroyed by the enemy! Satan steals our purpose. He kills hope. He destroys our perception of God or His will for us. He lies! He tells us God has abandoned us—that He can’t use us. He makes us think we’re all alone or that we’re the only ones who’ve messed up so bad that God won’t forgive us. He wants us to quit worshipping. So maybe fibromyalgia or cancer will keep us from worshipping. He wants to destroy fellowship between us and God so he consumes our time and emotions with marital problems, prodigal children, or money problems. He hates God’s delight so he has us focusing on everyone else’s problems—consumed with them. 

What’s the solution? Pray—you are a house of prayer! Pour out your heart to God. Reconnect with Him. Restore fellowship with Him. Read the Word. Listen to what He wants to say to you—He delights in you! Delight in HIM! Bring yourself (body, soul, and spirit) back to God’s purpose for your life. He knows who you are and what He has planned for you. He wants to delight you. Come back. Jesus will throw out those thieving money changers—just stand back!!

Trauma

Have you experienced trauma lately? It could be evacuating from a fire or losing everything in a fire. It could be the loss of health or the loss of a loved one. It could be losing a job. Trauma usually involves a loss of some kind. 

My sister reminded me of these verses this week:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

REST is interpreted as “to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labor in order to recover or collect his strength.”  When is the last time you did that? Our bodies respond to trauma in negative ways. When we’re yoked to Jesus, He stops for rest. Have you kept going when He stopped? Do you have vacation or sick days accumulated because you won’t stop? What about after a traumatic event? Have you permitted yourself to cease from labor? I recognize in the stress of the moment, you may not have time to rest yet…but when that moment is over, do you allow for rest? If you don’t, you may be going from one trauma to another without recovery. God knows you need rest!!  Stay yoked to Him. He stops. He rests. Learn from Him. 

Anapauō: “Cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labor in order to recover or collect his strength.”

Disaster Fire Relief

Disaster Fire Relief

Having worked disaster relief before, these are some things I’ve learned.  

People helping with things like clothing will get overwhelmed with the sorting.  Their energy would be better served if you either take new t-shirts, jeans, boots, tennis shoes, underwear and socks in packages which are clearly marked. Or…put gently used clothing in ziplock bags with sizes.  Please don’t overwhelm volunteers with items which are useless to those working the fires or recovering from great losses. 

Fireworkers will need work gloves, goggles, chapstick, eye drops, beef jerky, granola bars, nut bars, Gatorade early on. Eventually, homeowners will need tools like hammers, shovels, axes. Ranchers will need feed for animals. 

Homeowners will eventually need everything you need to set up a home—furniture, blankets, pots & pans, dishes, silverware, glassware. 

Find a church or benevolence ministry which has become a donation center and volunteer time and money. As you know of homeowners who have lost everything, set up accounts to help them. (Please note that certain funding apps take a large percentage of money). 

Pray with people Hug people. Minister with time, money, and what you have. Bring your gifts in an organized manner. And love big!  Emergencies always bring out the very best in Texans!!!

Being Fashioned

But now, O Lord,
You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand.

Isaiah 64:8

God has been fashioning you since you were in your mother’s womb. As I look at examples of God’s creations in the Bible, I’m thinking the process is our story—not the promise, the great moment, or the ending—it’s the process.  

For instance, let’s look at David.

1. Anointed as the next king while a young shepherd

2. David kills Goliath

3. Plays music for King Saul (don’t you imagine he and his father thought this was the pathway to king?)

4. David becomes King Saul’s son-in-law

5. King Saul sought to kill David—for years

6. David ran and hid with his mighty men

7. David becomes king

Which step(s) would you leave out? If we left out steps 2-6, David would have been a different kind of king. He might never have become a “man after God’s own heart” without the process. And isn’t that the most important thing?

A potter:

1. Kneads the clay

2. Potter knows the design

3. The potter fashions the clay at the wheel with pressure and water

4. If there is failure, the potter remakes the clay 

5. The finished piece dries and is scraped

6. The dried greenware is fired after glazing

7. The pottery is glazed again

It’s all about the process. 

Satan’s Prison

When we choose to sin, Satan has legal authority to trap us. When we continue in that sin, he’ll imprison us. 

Jeremiah 52 tells us about Jehoiachin. He was put in prison by the king of Babylon. After many years, he was brought out, given clothes, a room, food, and an allowance…but he was still in captivity.  

That’s what Satan does. He traps us and imprisons us because of our sin. He’ll entice us to continue in our sin with the promise of power, fame, and money—but he never intends to let us slip out of his control. 

All the while, the jail door is open. God offers us an escape! All we have to do is admit we’ve sinned and turn away from that sin—and we’re set FREE!!!  God offers ABUNDANT LIFE, soul peace, and hope!! He’s also promised to take care of all of our needs. 

Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy. He wants to destroy you. That’s his ultimate goal. Read God’s truth, walk in it, and obey it—let it transform and renew your mind. That’s where freedom is found. When you dig into the word of God, you’ll find true treasures.  

The Outstretched Arm

Anyone older than 40 remembers mom’s outstretched arm. You’d be riding in the front seat of the car (underage and without seatbelts) and she’d come to a screeching stop and her outstretched arm would fly across you and—WHOP! You wouldn’t hit the dashboard (hopefully). You might have whiplash but you’d been saved. God stretches out His arm to rescue you, too. He restrains you to rescue you. 

How many times have you fallen into deep waters (literally or figuratively)? Did you cry out to God for help? We took the youth on a rafting trip a few years ago and we had a boy fall out of the raft and the river took him swiftly down the river.  We were terrified! But when we got close, I think everyone on the raft had their arm extended to reach for him. God desires to pull you out of deep waters with His outstretched arm. He wants to help you. 

Like Moses extending his arm with the rod of God to part the Red Sea and save the people from being killed by the Egyptians, God still raises His arm today. I’ve lifted my arms in faith and prayer and have seen God do the impossible. I’ve seen His outstretched arm heal a marriage, miraculously pay for three weddings, heal a girl of seizures, pay off debt, stop a bullet, bring home a prodigal—and so much more! God wants to do miracles for you, too. 

God’s arm is outstretched toward you! He wants to restrain you to rescue you, reach out to help you, and do the miraculous and impossible. Jeremiah 32:17 says, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.”

Nothing. Absolutely nothing is too hard for God’s outstretched arm. 

Critical Spirit

You disagree with what you’ve just read. What’s your response? That response is so telling. 

Social media has created monsters—even among Christians. We all have a voice…and we’re willing to hide behind a screen and give full vent to an opinion we’d never say to another person’s face. 

I recently saw a sweet photo of Julia Roberts sharing tea and a card game with her niece. People were hateful! Julia was relaxed in her home with no makeup. People were incensed that she’d post a normal, natural photo. She didn’t measure up to their expectations of her—and they were critical and hateful. Never mind she was enjoying time with her niece. 

Do you strike the keys of your phone with a quick response when you disagree with someone’s FB post? Are you quick to judge or be critical? Do you feel “right” and need to set the record straight? Do you have a need to add your own editorial after someone has offered a scriptural post—to show there’s more to think about or that God has shown you more? Do you feel the need to critique and can’t restrain yourself from doing just that? 

Examine yourself for a critical spirit…also known as a pharisaical spirit. Ask God to give you a gentle spirit—a spirit allowing God to change the hearts of others. Ask for a spirit of grace which recognizes we’re all in process of growing and learning. God MAY have you respond. But He’ll never ask you to be critical. He’ll have you speak truth in love. It will be a spirit to edify, love, and help someone grow. 

I encourage you to read all of Ephesians 4. Below are verses 15-16:

“but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Waiting…Expecting…Twisting

Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord!”

When you look up the original word for “wait,” it says this: “expect, look eagerly for, hope, bind together by twisting.” It’s the last part of this explanation that’s had me shaking my head trying to figure out what twisting or braiding has to do with waiting. 

In our culture, we think of waiting as being idle. We wait at a red light, wait in a doctor’s office, wait for a friend to show up. But when God talks about waiting, He’s not idle and He doesn’t expect us to be idle either. We’re waiting on God to fulfill a promise, hoping for a good outcome, or eagerly looking for God to invade our situation…all while God patiently binds our hearts to Him. He’s twisting something beautiful as we wait. He picks up a thread of Himself…then a thread of our longing heart…a thread of someone who’s praying with us…a thread of our cries…a thread of someone investing in us…a thread of Jesus praying for us…a thread of our hope…a thread of the Holy Spirit encouraging us…until there’s a beautifully woven piece that displays the handiwork of God! Its no longer one single thread—it’s become strong because of the twisting. It’s not just handcrafted for others to see; it’s a piece of art hanging in God’s gallery to remind us of His goodness and faithfulness. It’s a reminder to agree with God for His perfect outcome every.single.time. It’s a trophy of God’s grace. 

Waiting is hard…but it doesn’t have to be idle. And maybe it shouldn’t be idle. Waiting is expectantly looking with hope for God to fulfill the cries of our heart. All while He is deftly creating something of wonder to hang on His wall. 

Expectations of a Pastor’s Wife

My husband & I have been in the ministry 48 years—serving 43 in the Church.  There have been a few expectations placed on me. I thought I’d just share a few:

•Playing the piano for the church

•Having perfect children

•Being my husband’s secretary after a service

•How I should dress

•My kids should be a leader for their children

•That I should lead the women’s ministry

•That I should teach a women’s Sunday School class

•That I should teach a Bible study

•That I should go on each mission trip

•That I should stay home with my children instead of going on a mission trip

•That my children should be at each children or youth function

•That I should go to children and youth camp as a sponsor

•That I should be like the former pastor’s wife (whom they loved!)

•That I should host an open house

•That I should cook and serve for each funeral meal

•That I should teach in the children’s ministry

•That I should teach in the youth ministry

•That I should speak at their women’s conference

•That I should counsel anyone in the church (and lots outside the church)

•That I should help maintain the church building

•That I should shut up and sit down

•That I should be friendly to everyone

•That I should have no say in church politics

•That I shouldn’t have friends

•That I should be friends with everyone

•That I should visit everyone in the church

•That I should visit people outside our church

•That I should make hospital visits with my husband

•That I should be an evangelist

•That I should be a prayer warrior

•I should never be on a church committee

•I should be a part of anything going on at the church

•I should never miss church unless I’m sick or one of my children is sick

Whew!  I’m sure there are more—but these are the ones which came to mind easily. NO ONE could live up to all of this. No one should. You may just have one expectation—but if everyone has one expectation—it adds up to a burden which will crush your pastor’s wife. 

The worst expectations are the ones I place on myself (and if you’ve heard me teach about how Satan speaks to us in first person singular, you know it’s really HIS voice!). 

I should…

I could do that…

I know how…

I’m just being lazy…

And on and on it goes. 

Expectations kill. It’s living under the law instead of grace. And you know what?  I love doing a lot of those things!!  I’m even gifted in some of them. And I WANT to do them. But if someone implies I should, it takes the joy out of the equation. And one thing most church members never think about—most pastors’ wives can’t afford to do all of them. It takes money to do a lot on that list (or hire a babysitter so I can) and money is in short supply in most pastors’ houses.  

Let’s get rid of expectations. Embrace your pastors’ wives!! ASK them what they love doing. Encourage them. Do it with them. Bless them with love gifts. Pray for them. Send them a note. Pray for their children. Send them a note. Pray for their husband. Send him a note. Be a friend. Invite them into your home—kids and all! Ask God what they need…and do it. 

Way • Truth • Life

I was searching. I was married. I had four kids. We were in the ministry. But I was asking, “Is this it? Is this all there is?” There was a longing in me for MORE, for purpose, for LIFE!

I remember I was reading the 14th chapter in the book of John. I read these words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. This thought came to me: “That is a progressive statement!”  We have to know Jesus as the WAY to the Father…and then we have to go through TRUTH…to experience LIFE! Jesus is all of these things. But I saw it so clearly—if I wanted abundant life, I needed to embrace truth!

That began my search for truth. There were so many mile markers pointing to truth in those days. God used people like Major Ian Thomas, Peter Lord and Bill & Anabel Gillham. He used books like Love Hunger by Minirth & Meier, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit by Jack Deere, and Classic Christianity by Bob George—and so much more! But the Holy Spirit was my best teacher. It’s like my mind was a funnel and opened in a new way to receive truth. I was on a journey—searching for truth. Every day I’d ask God to lead me to truth and keep me in truth. Truth became the key that unlocked every door.  God taught me so much. My friends at that time were so tolerant—truth was in every conversation. Truth was changing me. 

Truth brought abundant life. Scripture changed before my very eyes.  What had once been a rule book to strictly follow was now the life and breath of freedom! God LOVED me! He wasn’t waiting on me to fall and mess up so he could discipline me. I was His favored child whom He loved deeply and was there to help me grow and overcome every lie Satan had planted in my mind—and there were many. I was being set free. Truth brings freedom. “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32. 

How is my life different? I recognize the lies of the enemy much faster. Satan brings fear…Jesus brings abundant life. If I’m fearing, I need to drop everything and run to Jesus and His truth! I still chase truth—and will until I die. It’s constantly changing me, transforming me, and rearranging what I’ve been taught or thought on my own. None of us has all truth which is why we need a good teacher—the Holy Spirit. Truth brings peace and abundant life. Interestingly, there is a holy discontent because of truth. I’m not satisfied to stay where I am. I constantly want more!

Are you satisfied where you are or are you asking, “Is this all there is?” Ask God for truth. You’ll start on an adventure you’ll never regret!

It Doesn’t Make Sense

It Doesn’t Make Sense

David Cory was teaching Luke 5 to our Sunday School Class yesterday.  Jesus told Peter to cast his net again (after he’d fished all night and caught nothing. Also after he’d already cleaned his net.). And then Jesus told Peter to follow him (to leave his lucrative business and follow a guy with no obvious income). This thought went through my mind, “None of that made sense!”

It didn’t make sense for Peter to launch his boat and fish—after he’d already fished all night with no luck. It didn’t make sense to get his net dirty after he’d already cleaned it. But he obeyed. We have to obey even when it doesn’t make sense—maybe especially when it doesn’t make sense!!  Jesus knew what Peter didn’t know. He’d called the fish—enough fish to almost sink two boats. Jesus set Peter up for a miracle and a way to glorify Himself. Jesus told Peter to leave it all behind and follow him. It didn’t make sense!  He had a lucrative business that met his needs. He was married. But he obeyed…even when it didn’t make sense. And his life was forever changed and used for the kingdom of God!

What has God asked you to do that doesn’t make sense? Is it to move to another town? Quit a job? Change schools? Trust this…if God has asked you to do something that doesn’t make sense, He wants to glorify Himself. Did it make sense for Moses to go back to Egypt? Was it logical for Noah to build a boat? Did it make sense for David to face a giant with five smooth stones? What about Esther? Did it make sense for her to go before the king on behalf of her people when she could have been killed?

God still wants to do miracles! Obey Him…even when it doesn’t make sense.  He wants to glorify Himself through your obedience.

New Beginnings

New Beginnings

by Becky Dietz

“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” 

Isaiah 42:9

The old is over. God is doing something new! Don’t you love new beginnings? I love a new unmarked calendar. It’s fresh and full of possibilities! It’s a new chance to do things differently. There’s hope for a better outcome. It stirs up a desire to make everything we do COUNT!

You can do new things in 2024:

•Make God a priority—read His Word!

•Love others more than you love yourself. 

•Listen. Hear. 

•Put your phone down more than you hold it. 

•Turn off the TV. 

•Read the Bible to build relationship with God. 

•Ask God for BIG things!

•Share God’s good news. 

•Slow down. Rest. 

•Establish the right priorities for your family. 

•Be intentional with relationships. 

•Build community. 

•Invite others into your home. Let them see the real you. 

•Fast & pray. 

•Ask God for direction daily. 

•Join a Bible study with others. 

•Journal your thoughts. 

•Give. You’ll be surprised at how much this opens your heart!

•Help…others, your family, your church, a ministry, your neighbors, widows. 

•Read. There are some really great books by Christian authors. 

•Forgive others. 

•Forgive yourself. 

•Be invested where you are. 

•Be diligent with whatever God gives you to do wherever He puts you. 

•Be kind. 

•Share joy!

We have so much opportunity to be a light and to show the world there’s a better way. Let’s do it!!! Take one step at a time—being better tomorrow than we were today. God is about to open some amazing doors!! I want to look back at this time next year knowing I finished well, don’t you? 

Here’s to a BLESSED 2024!