Goals for the new year start with prayer seasoned with believing! Matthew 21:21-23

Good morning everyone,
When you open up the paper, especially on Sundays, it is filled with various ads of clothing, jewelry, and sporting goods.  This time of year is crucial for retail because they are trying to get rid of the old merchandise before releasing their new inventory.  Another year over and done with; the new year just hours away.  Just like retail, we as individuals should look at our year sometime before December 31 to make necessary adjustments to be more effective in the new year.  Goals are only achievable if they have several key elements included in them.  In searching out steps to easily achieving your goals, I found lots of ideas.  Personally, any goal worthy of its accomplishment is not easy!  I would like to share a list with each of you and modify it to place Jesus Christ in the center of the list and I think your important list will be vastly altered.
    (1) Be specific about what you want to achieve.
         Instead of having a goal to read through the entire bible, when you seldom open it, start by studying one book (something short like James) and then you have 65 additional treasures to explore next.
    (2) Draw up a plan of action.
         Be open to allowing God to alter that plan.
    (3) Make a list of steps.
         List the steps that you need to take in order to study through the book you have chosen:  exact time that you are going to study each day!  Personally, early in the morning is best for me.  
    (4) Act, do not be passive.  
         Most goals never happen, because we procrastinate.  We have good intentions, but those intentions are never carried out.
    (5) Read and listen to advice.
         Study the scriptures and meditate on them so God can direct your thoughts.
    (6) Alternative plans.
         If your specific time is interrupted, don't allow that to throw you off track.  Be consistent in giving Him time and your time will become His time.
    (7) Examine your goals periodically.
         Don't wait until December 31st to see if you are on track to complete your goal.
    (8) Repeat affirmations.
         At first make your tasks small so that you can rejoice with your Savior so that it will propel you on to accomplish bigger tasks!
    (9) Visualize your goal.
         Seeing small steps completed will give you a sense of completion and that will motivate you to stay the course.
   (10) Take action.
          Be consistent in taking the required steps in order for your goal to come to fruition.  If it means you need to get up earlier, ask God to help you with the sleep you need so that you will be sharper when awake to accomplish more. 
Brothers and sisters, let's bring in the new year totally connected to God's direction and ready to do what He ask!  Matthew 21:21-23 says Jesus replied, 'Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.'  Everything done according to His will will result in accomplishments that reflect all of the  'light' back on the Savior!   
Your brother in Christ,
p

Why does seeing others hurt effect you? James 5:19-20

Good morning everyone,
Unless you just put your head in the sand, it doesn't take long to look around to find someone who is having difficulties!  Those could be physical ailments, struggling financially, broken marriages, spiritually broke or a combination of things.  Folks, there are people right next to you that are struggling just to put one foot in front of another.  For them, life doesn't make much sense anymore.  For me, there are several examples that some of my dear friends are going through right now and it makes my heart ache!  I don't really have any answers for them except I can offer my time to them and pray with them.  Good people, but life altering things happening to them.  Sometimes, life becomes a bunch of things happening that we as individuals have a hard time putting a hold on to get it to slow  down.  I've often explained the analogy of the spin cycle on your washing machine and you are in it and the machine will not stop!  Has your life become a viscous cycle that you can't slow down?  If it has, then we need a prayer meeting and I offer my service up to you!  If you are hurting and you can't make sense of the chaos that you find yourself in, we need to take time to go see Jesus!  All along, we try and handle problems on our own because we feel as though Jesus is too busy doing other things.  I want to tell you right now; Jesus wants to know any and ever concern you have whether it be something really little or something monstrous.  See, Jesus is in the business of changing the way we deal with things because when we include Him, He takes over the problem!  Pray right now and don't put it off!  James 5:19-20 says, 'My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this:  Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.' 
Your brother in Christ,
p

The birth of Jesus changed everything! John 3:16-17

Good morning everyone,
Is your life back to more of the same mundane stuff that you had before or is your life different because of the birth of Jesus?  See, Jesus is the reason that we should get excited about the season, but it shouldn't end there!  His birth should be the springboard for us to have hope and to go out and encourage those that we encounter on a daily basis.  Fears, struggles, failures, death and diseases are just to name a few of the conditions that we will encounter while we are on this earth.  Without Jesus, you will never know the Prince of Peace!  Without Jesus, all of the above conditions are a recipe for a miserable life with no destination!  But with Jesus, He will show you how you can be an integral part of His ultimate plan.  Think of each of us as being a pawn in a chess match!  Even the lowliest pawn can be used to take down the king in disguise!  I know many of you do not feel worthy of your importance but I would like you to consider that Jesus Christ wants everyone to come to know Him and it just might be you that He chooses to use to accomplish that!  Pray that you allow Jesus to move you (a lowly pawn) wherever He wants to in order to accomplish 'mighty works!'  John 3:16-17 tells us, 'For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.'
Your brother in Christ,
p   

Recanting your faith! 2 Corinthians 12:7

Good morning everyone,
Just a few days left until 2011 is over and the new year of 2012 will be upon us.  Several emails I read today remind me of the strength of our faith being the key ingredient that determines our makeup!  My buddy Scott got great news yesterday and for the time being, he doesn't need to have surgery again.  Even at his bleakest moments, his faith has remained rock solid and that is a testimony about knowing your Savior intimately!  Another email that caught my eye is about a pastor in Iran that is on death row because of his belief in Jesus Christ!  For over a year, he has been imprisoned and probably being tortured because of those beliefs.  Due to the media getting hold of this information, Iran is being watched very carefully to see if they are going to follow through on the verdict or if they are going to release this man of God.  In the mean time, they are trying to test him every way possible to see if they can get him to recant his faith!  How far would you be willing to go to show how strong your faith is or would you shake a fist at God and tell Him you deserve better?  It doesn't matter that you are attacked physically, emotionally, spiritually, or a combination of these; Jesus is willing to carry you through the situation.  In fact, the more serious the situation, the more he can use you to reflect a light back on Him so that others will see that a miracle is revealed!  Get to know the Savior intimately and the next time you are tested, He will give you a 'light' to help you see the 'way!'  2 Corinthians 12:7 tells us that Paul had some type of problem, obstacle, or hinderance that caused him great anguish yet it kept him from becoming conceited.  That humility allowed God to use Paul and show folks that any and all obstacles can be overcome if we put our complete faith in the Father!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Why was He sent? Luke 4:43

Good morning everyone,
As we approach the time to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, do we really stop and think about the magnitude of why He was sent?  Luke 4:43 tells us, But He said, 'I must proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.'  He was born into this world some 2000 plus years ago to begin a mission to save the world.  In a little over 30 short years, He completed His physical life and people are still talking about the impact that He made while He was here.  There have been many famous people that have come and gone over the last 2000 years but none come close to the importance of our Lord and Savior.  Once He was born, He took very little time to learn everything He could so that He could begin His ministry about sharing love with everyone.  He didn't rest very often, He passed up eating when others reclined and dined, and He prayed when others couldn't stay awake.  'A Man on a Mission' is the title that could have been placed on His tombstone because He took those short years of life and made the most out of them!  He didn't waste time with trivial stuff.  He made the wisest people seem trite and He showed worth to even the simple minded!  Anybody who thought they were much; He brought low and anybody who thought they were insignificant; He showed them compassion.  I want to ask each of you a question.  What is your mission while you have time left?  Let me encourage each of you to put a sense of urgency on showing God's love like Jesus did so that 2012 can be looked back on as a year of celebration!  Merry Christmas and may the love of Christ fill each of your homes as you celebrate together!
Your brother in Christ,
p 

Are you ready to celebrate His birth? Luke 2:1-20

Good morning everyone,
Yesterday I heard a conversation on the radio and the discussion was about how most of us approach people with greeting them on the street this time of year.  Do you greet them by saying Happy holidays or do you say Merry Christmas?  The poll of the people taken showed that approximately 60%-70% greeted people by saying Merry Christmas.  Thank God!  Interesting enough, the holiday that was started to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior has become a marketing bonanza for retail around the world.  The focus has become less and less about Luke 2:1-20 and has become more about the almighty dollar!  Let me encourage you to make Jesus Christ the focal point of the remaining time through Christmas day and into the new year!  Even if you spend more on Christmas than some low income families make in a year, make sure you share the love of Christ with everyone.  Let them know that Jesus is the real reason for the season and even incorporate that Truth into your gift giving.  As you participate in opening gifts, may I suggest that you take a little extra time in having discussions about what He means to you and how He wants all of us to share His love all year long!  Maybe, before each gift is opened, have the recipient share one thing about what they are thankful.  I think that you will find Christmas having a whole new set of traditions for years to come!
Your brother in Christ,
p 

Is your way all about you or does it represent 'The Way?' John 14:6

Good morning everyone,
Jesus Christ tells us in John 14:6 that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!  He goes on to tell us that no one comes to be with the Father except through Him!  If your way is any other way than the one that He describes for us, then you are totally trying the wrong way.  You will frustrate yourself until you realize that He is the One that will set you free.  The beautiful thing is that it's not too late.  You still have an opportunity as long as He allows you to still draw a breath!  Many will go to their grave never giving God the chance to show them the Way!  Many of us make it difficult when Jesus Christ has made it so very simple.  My good friend Scott Arnold is struggling for his physical life but he knows that his eternity has already been guaranteed for him.  See, once you have tasted all that Jesus has prepared for you, death becomes only a stepping stone to get to the Father!  Doesn't that give you a sense of anticipated excitement?  I know that it does for me.  So please pray for his family as they struggle with seeing Scott go through a rather rapid decline with his health!  Is God through with him yet?  I don't think so but it does put life in prospective as far as how short this life is and it also puts a sense of urgency in us, making sure that we have the same guarantee as Scott!  Don't delay!  If you haven't done so, give your life over to the One who is called 'The Way!'
Your brother in Christ,
p