A YEAR TO EMBRACE GOD AND HIS TRUTH

THE DAWNING OF A NEW YEAR ! It is a time when many people focus on New behavior patterns, New goals, and New purpose, and perhaps New Beginnings. For many, the focus will be upon Physical Things. New jobs; New ‘"bodies” and renewed health; New pursuits in knowledge, hobbies, and also Relationships. It begs the question question to each of us : “Are We Satisfied Where We Are ?” Do We Desire Change, and are we willing to Put In The Effort to “Make It Happen ?” Ultimately, “Can Physical Change truly last and make a difference if one’s Heart And Spirit are not an integral part of this Change ? CAN WE FIND “REAL CHANGE” JUST ON OUR OWN, OR DOES IT REQUIRE SOMETHING DEEPER ? DOES REAL CHANGE COME FROM GOD AND HIS TRUTH IN OUR HEART’S AND LIVES ? One of the key pearls of Wisdom that I encountered in my course in Biblical Leadership was an astounding truth: “ The Mind Justifies What The Heart Desires.” Our Hearts are the “Core” of our basic Desires….and our minds will Justify these things in our action and focus. This Truth exposes the “battlefield” in spiritual terms that we face as Mankind. SIN in its most obvious form is always a disordered action or thought derived from Desire that does not meet the Holiness and Righteousness of GOD. Our minds will rationalize and find excuses for all of these shortcomings, and we use them often in many areas of our lives. Another ‘Truth” that has become self evident to me is that “ trying to do Everything On My Own without God’s Love And Strength In And Beside Me, WILL NOT ENDURE ! GOD MUST BE THE LORD OF MY LIFE ! The ruler, the planner, the guide, the strategist, the purpose designer, the action planner, and the sustenance to allow Endurance and Truth and COMPLETION ! We strive so hard to decipher Everything In Our Lives….and we do it ALONE:( WILL THIS BE THE YEAR THAT WE COMMIT TO EMBRACE GOD AND HIS TRUTH ….or will we count on Ourselves….as God watches us TOIL IN VAIN !

AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US, AND WE HAVE SEEN HIS GLORY, GLORY AS OF THE ONLY SON FROM THE FATHER, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. John 1:14

TEACH ME YOUR WAY, O LORD, THAT I MAY WALK IN YOUR TRUTH; UNITE MY HEART TO FEAR YOUR NAME. Psalm 86:11

SEND OUT YOUR LIGHT AND YOUR TRUTH; LET THEM LEAD ME; LET THEM BRING ME TO YOUR HOLY HILL AND TO YOUR DWELLING. Psalm 43:3

WE DESTROY ARGUMENTS AND EVERY LOFTY OPINION RAISED AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE TO OBEY CHRIST. 2 Corinthians 10:5

RATHER, SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE, WE ARE TO GROW UP IN EVERY WAY INTO HIM WHO IS THE HEAD, INTO CHRIST. Ephesians 4:15

The more time we spend with Christ, and seeking Him, the more we will MATURE ! The most amazing thing is that TRUE FREEDOM comes to us when we SURRENDER our lives to Christ:) On our own, we try to plan out all the things we will do to make the year ahead more fulfilling. Generally these things we plan are for “personal gain”, or for changes in things of the Flesh. All Of Us try to take the reigns of our life; Surrender to God’s Will is a process. I laugh and cry sometimes when I think about how many times I try to “help” God by my own suggestions and ideas about what might work best or bring quick results. Another KEY thing I learned in my study was that GOD uses “problems and problem solving to GROW US SPIRITUALLY ! I often try to place blame for struggles on almost everything except my own Choices and Immaturity ! It is far easier to look at Circumstances than into one’s own actions and heart. The Path To Maturity has some very Key Elements…Desire to Change; Letting go of Self; Embracing commitment and endurance; and Surrendering and Trusting everything into GOD’S HANDS. TRUST comes only from a Deep Personal Relationship. Understanding and Leaning Into God’s LOVE FOR US. Each and every year So many people find themselves disappointed that all their best laid out plans either failed, or fizzled out. Going things Alone is a hard journey. My walk with Jesus has assured me that no matter what, HE IS BESIDE ME AND I CAN TRUST HIM:) The walk is full of lessons; some successes and some failures; always sharpening me for the next level UPWARD. I had to make a choice, which I have shared many times and still do : The Question - “ARE YOU ALL IN ?” Will you stop splashing around in shallow “Milk” and begin to Climb and consume “Real Food” ? The world will pump you full of absolute confusion, distraction, doubt, and questions. GOD will fill you with LOVE, TRUTH, AND FREEDOM ! A Solid Foundation to Build Upon and Secure ETERNAL LIFE, GRACE, AND PEACE.

HE HAS TOLD YOU, O MAN, WHAT IS GOOD; AND WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU BUT TO DO JUSTICE, AND TO LOVE KINDNESS, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD? Micah 6:8

WHO DESIRES ALL PEOPLE TO BE SAVED AND TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. 1 Timothy 2:4

FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE WILL BE YOUR HEART ALSO. Matthew 6:21

As you and I enter a New Year, what will we see as our Ultimate Treasure ? Money ? Fame and Recognition ? Material Items ? Worldly Trophies ?…..or, A CLOSE AND MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND HIS TRUTHS ? God asks us for our Time, and our Love. We show it by surrendering to His Will and Walking In His Ways ! All of these things will allow HIS LIGHT TO SHINE FROM US INTO THE WORLD :) 2026 can be the year that WE CHANGE. The year that GOD becomes our PRIORITY. The year that WE BEGIN TO GROW AND GO ALL IN ! Now is the time to Prepare Our Heart to Embrace Him and His Truth….ARE YOU READY ? Build your Relationship. Study and Read His Word. Pray deeply for OTHERS. Serve in your Community in a Christ Centered way and purpose. TAKE HIM AND THE GOSPEL EVERYWHERE. New Year…New Heart…NEW YOU ! BE BLESSED IN SEEKING CHRIST/JAA

DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART Psalm 37:4