Tag Archives: faith

Posted on

Happy New Year 2018

Looking back, planning ahead, maintaining contentment

As we move into the new year of 2018 let us remember to:

Look Back with Thanksgiving

James 1:17 (ESV): Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

We can look back at 2017 with thanksgiving for the good times and blessings we have enjoyed. We can and should also be thankful for provision during the hard times. Even if it was a difficult year for you, there is always, ALWAYS something to be thankful for. You had friendships, you were able to provide for your family and maybe even have some unanswered prayers to be thankful for. Make a list of things you were thankful for last year. Revisit it when needed.

Focus on the Future

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

We should look back in thanksgiving but not spend precious time on regret or guilt. No matter your past or the mistakes you made last year (we all made mistakes!) God is doing a NEW thing! He can make a way even when it seems impossible. The even better news? You don’t just get January 1st for a new start! His mercies and provision are new every morning, even every hour when needed. Isn’t that awesome news?

Plan Ahead for the Coming Year

Luke 14:28-29 (ESV): For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,

Call it resolutions, goals, aspirations, visioning; God doesn’t expect us to go through life willy-nilly with no intentionality. Make some plans. Boldly go through the doors that open and wisely turn away from the doors that are closed. It’s difficult to steer a vehicle that’s not moving.

Psalm 20:4 (NIV): May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Prayerfully make those plans. God want us to succeed in endeavors that honor Him; both for His glory and for our pleasure. He is looking to give good gifts to His children. (Matt 7:11) Partner with Him in that!

Be Content in All Circumstances

Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV): I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Above all, be content with last year and whatever this new year will bring. When focusing too much on self or if you find yourself concentrating on your disappointments, find someone who needs help and serve them. When blessed and in a time of plenty, make sure you allow your cup to spill over to others. Build a bigger table, not a higher fence.

Great and Gracious Father, Thank You for the many blessings of 2017. Thank You, maybe even more so, for sustaining us during the difficult times of last year. We ask that You would guide us in our endeavors in 2018. Close the doors You would not have us go through and give us the courage to walk through the doors You have opened before us. Gently remind us to plan and wait for You when we are tempted to forge ahead and make our own way. Above all, please help us to serve others and think of their needs above ourselves. Help us to be content no matter what this year brings and please forgive us when we are selfish, forgetful, anxious or fearful. Amen.

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 06.25.2017

Isaiah 43:18-19

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV): Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing… I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Everyone has a past. Maybe you’ve made some bad decisions and have lots of regrets over hurt you’ve caused yourself and others. Maybe you’re just frustrated by your lack of intentionality or how you haven’t used your time or gifts wisely.

Satan would have you beat yourself up over what you have or haven’t done but God tells you DO NOT REMEMBER! He has done a new thing in you and your life. He will make a road in the crazy wilderness you have created or a river in the desert of your procrastination and inactivity.

Awesome Father, thank You for being all knowing yet able to forget our past. Help us to remember that in Jesus we are a new creation. Please forgive us when we listen to lies that tell us we have to live in the past. Amen.

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 03.26.2017

Deuteronomy 31:8

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT): Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Being a leader is hard! (who am I kidding? LIFE is hard!) It’s so much easier when we remember we don’t go it alone. Nothing surprises God. Isn’t there so much comfort in that? Isn’t there so much comfort in the promises of this passage?

He goes before you to make a way.
He will be with you.
He will not abandon you.
He will not fail you.
Therefore – Don’t be afraid or discouraged.

We all have moments when we feel weak, scared, discouraged and alone. Picture Jesus entering a room, situation or conversation before you and find strength and guidance in that!

Faithful Father, We thank You that we never have to face anything alone. Help us to remember that You go before us and that nothing surprises You. Please forgive us when we let our fear be louder than our faith. Amen.

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 03.12.2017

Proverbs 16:3

Proverbs 16:3 (NIV): Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.

Most of us like to have a plan. We have a goal and make a plan to get there. What do you do when life doesn’t go as planned? Do you throw up your hands in despair? Do you work harder to force your own agenda even when it’s obvious that it’s not working? How many times have you had to look back, at best, sheepishly or, at worst, extremely thankful that your plan was thwarted?

The key to God’s hand in your success is having His input from the beginning. Prayerfully set your goals. Commit your plans to the Lord. Work diligently, always seeking His leading, prepared to change the course even if it wasn’t in your original plan. Never forget the One who will establish your plans has ways that are far better than ours.

Lord, Thank you for having plans far better than we could ever imagine. Please send us reminders to seek Your will in our plans from the beginning and to look for Your leading as we strive to achieve our goals. Please forgive us when we try to run ahead on our own. Amen.

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 03.05.2017

Colossians 4:5-6

Colossians 4:5-6 (NLT): Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Your attitude about your job is often the window outsiders look through to see your heart and the truth about your faith.” Jamie Allen, Central Christian Church Mt. Vernon, IL from “Clock In #2” 09/11/2016

We all have bad days at work. Most of us work alongside people at varying stages of their faith. Believe it or not, these two things make a great combination. Your attitude during a rough time can be one of your greatest witnesses. Even the most cynical person is attracted to someone who is gracious and even-tempered when they could be upset and hot-headed.

Have to stay late to see a patient? Give that patient the best care you can and do it with a smile!
Boss putting unreasonable demands on you? Do your best work and try to give extra.
Have to buy your own classroom supplies because the budget stinks? Be grateful you have everything you need and more.

Life isn’t fair. Your attitude despite that can be the window to your faith.

Gracious Father, thank you for always meeting our needs. Help us to always represent You by having a good attitude. Please forgive us when we are self-centered and selfish. Amen.

To watch Jamie’s “Clock In” series in its entirety please go to www.thenewcentral.com

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 02.26.2017

I Timothy 4:12b

I Timothy 4:12b (NLT): Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity.

Everyone is watching. An unbelieving world is watching. Other believers are watching. Some are watching for guidance and inspiration. Sadly, some are watching to catch you in a weak moment. We can’t separate the worldly and the spiritual, work and church, recreation and responsibility.

We are to reflect Christ in all aspects of our lives: the way we do business, the way we treat our families, how we act on vacation, our thoughts when we’re alone. We won’t ever be pure and perfect but we should always remember that we are to be an example to all believers and hopefully to non-believers. After all, everyone is watching.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the patience and grace you extend to us. Please forgive us when we do not reflect Christ as we should. Help us to be an example of light to fellow believers and to an unbelieving world. Amen.

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 01.15.2017

Proverbs 3:9-10

Proverbs 3:9-10 (NLT): Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.

Giving your first fruits back to God is not necessarily an easy practice to get into. It’s so counter-intuitive. “So you’re telling me I’ll have MORE if I give it away? Wouldn’t it make more sense to pay all my bills and then work with what’s left over?” Yes. That would make more sense. There’s not much faith involved in doing what makes sense. God doesn’t always ask us to do the logical thing. He always asks us to do the obedient thing.

Take a step in faith. Give the Lord your first fruits. Put Him to the test. (Malachi 3:10) See what happens to your barns and vats. You’ll not find a better financial plan.

Generous Father, You give us so much more than we deserve. Help us to be generous and to keep our priorities in order. Please forgive us when we are selfish and don’t trust You with our finances. Amen.

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 10.02.2016

Philippians 4:7

Philippians 4:7 (NLT): Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

To have peace! To be still! It’s what we crave in the midst of our busyness. If I only had more time…If the kids were more calm or didn’t have so many activities…If my spouse were available to help more…If my job would slow down…If I could just get this one project done…We live in a world of constant motion and stimulation.

Peace isn’t the absence of activity, it is the presence of Christ in our heart and mind regardless of the whirlwind around us. We can’t make the world slow down and be peaceful for us but we can find peace in the midst of our busy world. We can access that peace no matter where we are or what we’re doing – meeting in the boardroom, teaching in the classroom, doctoring in the exam room or vacuuming in the living room.

Father God, thank you for being our peace in the midst of our whatever. Help us to remember that we can access that peace at any time and any place. Let us be an example of Your peace in a world that so desperately needs it. Amen.

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 09.25.2016

Proverbs 16:3

Proverbs 16:3 (NIV): Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.

Most of us like to have a plan. We have a goal and plan to get there. What do you do when life doesn’t go as planned? Do you throw up your hands in despair? Do you work harder to force your agenda even when it’s obvious that it’s not working? How many times have you had to look back, at best sheepishly, or at worst extremely thankful, that your plan was thwarted?

The key to God’s hand in your success is having His input from the beginning. Prayerfully set your goals. Commit your plans to the Lord. Work diligently, always seeking His leading. Be prepared to change the course even if it wasn’t in your original plan. Never forget that the One who establishes your plans has ways that are far better than ours.

All Knowing Lord, Thank you for having plans far better than we could ever imagine. Please send us reminders to seek Your will in our plans from the beginning and look for Your leading as we strive to achieve our goals. Please forgive us when we try to run ahead on our own. Amen.

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 08.21.2016

Ecclesiastes 7:14

Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NLT): Enjoy prosperity while you can,
but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.  Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

Matthew 5:45b (NLT): For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

We want to practice being faithful when things are easy and when things are tough, in times of plenty and in times of want. We can look at the life of Joseph (Genesis 37, 39-45) – favored in his father’s house, thrown away by his brothers, falsely accused, thrown in/forgotten in jail, finding favor with the king, gaining power and ultimately showing grace to his brothers. He certainly had a roller coaster of a life! We can’t always see the “big picture” or the whole of God’s “upper story.” Sometimes we get blind-sided by a health issue or the actions of others. When these things happen we must resist the “why me?” attitude and remember what it says in Matthew 5:45. We can follow the example of Joseph and do our best to remain faithful in the ups and downs of life remembering that nothing is certain – the sun shines and the rain falls on the just and unjust alike – but God is faithful and one day it will all make so much more sense.

Thank you, Father, for being faithful and good even when we are not. Help us remember that our fortunes can turn at any time and it’s not necessarily an indication of Your favor but a result of the world in which we live. Help us to be faithful during good times and bad. Please forgive us when our faith falters and we cry “Why me?” Amen.