New Year Plans: Are You Moving Toward a New Beginning?

Today marks the beginning of celebrating a long holiday that extends through New Year’s Day. For others it’s a continuation of celebrating that began with Christmas Eve and includes New Year’s Eve parties to greet what could be a new beginning for God’s plan and purpose for you and the nation.

Have you already begun to anticipate what magnificent things will be in store by trusting in God to bring about good things? By trusting and believing in his undeserved goodness, what can you foresee that awaits for you in the days and months ahead as you move toward a new beginning?

When the Lord God is invited to be actively present in everything you want to be and do in the days ahead, there will be no obstacle that cannot be subdued. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life,” so by uniting your life with his, contentment, joy, and peace await you.    

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Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.

~John 13:7 The Message

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New Year Plans: How Can You Exhibit Your Best Personality Traits?

For many people, celebrating Christmas will be extended for several days simply because family and friends continue to make contact to express their love and appreciation. Exchanging gifts is just one way to demonstrate appreciation and happiness. Making an effort to be physically present validates the strength of our love for others.

Coming together tests the positive and negative strength of attachments. Whether you are the invited guest or serving as host for others, there are always underlying expectations that must be acknowledged and adhered to if stress and potential conflict are to be kept to a minimum.

To make the best of a holiday visit, always exhibit your best personality traits the Lord God endowed you with at conception. Believe you can action yourself into a new way of feeling as you demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, like love, joy and patience. God bestows these on you so you can be a blessing to others.   

      

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So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. …And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

~Colossians 3:12,14 The Message

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Can the Christ of Christmas Be Your Best Gift?

How exciting! This is Christmas Day. What is the most significant gift you have received on this special day? As a young man I had just finished boot camp and was heading home for Christmas. After the holidays I would be on my way to serve my country, but then it was a special gift to see my family and visit with friends.

Today I am thankful for the gifts I receive that cannot be purchased, like the love of Christ Jesus, the love of my wife, my children, and grandchildren. I am blessed to belong to a wonderful church where I am a part of the family of God. Today I have the privilege of serving God in ways I could never have imagined. So Merry Christmas and God bless you.

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An angel of the Lord appeared to [shepherds], and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This day in David’s town your Savior was born – Christ the Lord! …Suddenly a great army of heaven’s angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased.”

~Luke 2:9-11,13-14 Good News Bible 

 

…God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.

~2 Corinthians 4:6 The Message

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From Thursday, December 21 through Christmas Day, blogs have been posted each day to coincide with KHCB radio's special music and short devotional programming, "Five Days of Christmas". 

Can the Christ of Christmas Enable You to Be a Peacemaker?

We often hear the words, “America is a country equally divided philosophically and politically.” There are some people who delight in that belief, for it provides a constant subject for conversation as well as fodder for news organizations to graze on and preserve an eager listening audience.

Can you imagine God listening to the world two millennia ago and deciding to send Jesus to establish peace and good will among the people? Gather up your courage and decide to be a peacemaker this Christmas, for there will be a moment specially designed for you to give the gift of peace even in the presence of discord. So be ready for the event. Merry Christmas and God bless you.  

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Because the heart of our God is full of mercy towards us, the first light of Heaven shall come to visit us – to shine on those who lie in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the path of peace.

~Luke 1:78-79 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

 

God, who first ordered light to shine in darkness, has flooded our hearts with his light, so that we can enlighten men with the knowledge of the glory of God, as we see it in the face of Christ.

~2 Corinthians 4:6 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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From Thursday, December 21 through Christmas Day, blogs have been posted each day to coincide with KHCB radio's special music and short devotional programming, "Five Days of Christmas". 

How Can the Christ of Christmas Change Your Life?

What significant events have you experienced that changed the direction of your life? In some ways that question may be difficult simply because becoming a Christian is a life-changing event. To this we can say, “Thank you, Jesus, for saving and redeeming us for all eternity.”

Celebrating Christmas is rarely a life-changing event but rather an occasion for hearing wonderful music and stories of God’s wonders. Visiting with relatives and eating delicious food are reminders of God’s gracious gifts. Yet, it is the reality of God so loving us that he sent Jesus to draw us near to himself that is the wonder of it all. Have a merry Christmas and God bless you. 

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Stand up! Shine! The glory of the Lord shines brightly on you. The earth and its people are covered with darkness, but the glory of the Lord is shining upon you.

~Isaiah 60:1-2 Contemporary English Version

 

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made us understand that it is the brightness of his glory that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

~2 Corinthians 4:6 The Living Bible

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From Thursday, December 21 through Christmas Day, blogs have been posted each day to coincide with KHCB radio's special music and short devotional programming, "Five Days of Christmas". 

Does the Christ of Christmas Still Intervene in People's Thinking?

Most people are surprised when significant events interrupt their lives and demand change. Hurricane Harvey dumped 53 inches of rain on Houston in 2017, completely changing people’s lives. Imagine the apprehension that grasped Herod the Great when three strangers told him they were searching for the future Messiah.

Significant events can effectively disrupt old ways of thinking and believing. God sent Jesus to interrupt an old system to make way for something new. Jesus set in motion a new system called the Good News for changing people’s lives. Can celebrating Christmas be life-changing for you? Think about it. Merry Christmas and God bless you. 

        

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The wise men listened to the king and then went on their way, to Bethlehem. And now the star, which they had seen in the east, went in front of them until at last it shone immediately above the place where the little child lay. The sight of the star filled them with indescribable joy. So they went into the house and saw the little child with his mother Mary. And they fell on their knees and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts – gold, incense and myrrh.

~Matthew 2:9-11 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

 

For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in my heart, to give me the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, reflected on the face of Christ.

~2 Corinthians 4:6 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

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From Thursday, December 21 through Christmas Day, blogs have been posted each day to coincide with KHCB radio's special music and short devotional programming, "Five Days of Christmas". 

Can the Christ of Christmas Influence Lives within Our Culture?

Do you feel safe and secure with our culture today? Our society is affected by the economy and politics of this day. If this makes you anxious, remember that God’s plan and purpose will prevail in spite of your fears and doubts. Jesus came to redeem a society that was losing its grip on God.

The coming of Jesus into the world created hope for those experiencing him personally. Covid 19 negatively impacted the world but did not negate God’s plan and purpose for you. So what is your hope, for this Christmas? May it be to rediscover and strengthen your faith and trust in Christ Jesus. Merry Christmas and God bless you.

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We couldn’t be more sure of what we saw and heard – God’s glory, God’s voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You’ll do well to keep focusing on it. It’s the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts.

~2 Peter 1:19 The Message

 

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made us understand that it is the brightness of his glory that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

~2 Corinthians 4:6 New International Version

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From Thursday, December 21 through Christmas Day, blogs have been posted each day to coincide with KHCB radio's special music and short devotional programming, "Five Days of Christmas". 

What Makes Despair So Dark and Lonely?

Anger is an emotion that can be destructive or bring about positive change. A woman explained why she had blamed her father for divorcing her mother when she was a child. As she expressed her resentments to a relative, she learned it was her mother who had pursued the divorce.

Consequently, this young woman had to reevaluate her grief and sorrow as well as her anger and distrust toward God. Psalm 88 portrays anger as being replaced by despair. “Why, O Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me? From my youth I have been afflicted and terrified. Now I am in despair.”

Despair occurs when anger is turned inward on oneself. To counter despair, this woman must forgive her parents for their imperfections and painful decisions. Then she will discover God’s gifts of peace and love designed to bring healing to her broken heart and spirit. Ask God for his gift of forgiveness so you can give it to those who hurt you.

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Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs others have done to us.  

~Matthew 6:12 Good News Bible

 

O, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record is cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

~Psalm 32:1-2 New Living Translation

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Can a Significant Loss Perpetuate Anger?

When anger is expressed to others, even if that anger is justified, it cuts deep into the emotional fabric of both the one who is the target of its fury and also the one expressing it. Anger may be  spontaneously aroused or slow and calculating, but either way, its objective is to make someone pay physically or emotionally. 

Depending on the severity of the offense and the pain and suffering experienced, anger may persist for only a moment or be prolonged indefinitely. With some individuals, once anger has been expressed, the intensity fades and peace resumes. With others, anger is so disturbing and emotionally draining that even time cannot force the feelings to subside.

Is it possible to be so angry with God over a significant loss, that healing appears out of the question? To counter the negative effects of anger, focus instead on the physical and emotional gifts you’ve received from God. Write them down, and praise him with thanksgiving for his gifts of kindness, including his miracle of forgiveness.

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How happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort!

~Matthew 5:4 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

 

You are blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by [God,] the One most dear to you.

~Matthew 5:4 The Message

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Can Permanent Anger or Depression Be Caused by Grief?

It’s doubtful that everything we desire can be realized. Failures come at some level in every stage of life. We must keep this in mind so failure and depression will not dominate a normal life. Job 5:7 tells us "man is born for trouble as surely as the sparks fly upward from a fire."

Isaiah 53 describes Jesus as being “oppressed, afflicted, and led as a  lamb to the slaughter”, so even God’s Son was not exempt from trouble and sorrow. The lesson we learn is that there’s a purpose in our grief and suffering. If we remain hopeful, we will receive from our troubles insight for living.

Unfortunately, we can become preoccupied with resentment and anger toward others and God. Job managed his troubles by talking to God, sometimes blaming, sometimes challenging, but acknowledging him as his Redeemer, Counselor, and friend. When trouble comes, ask God to help you experience his comfort and confidence, his joy and peace.

                 

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O my soul, why be so gloomy and discouraged? Trust in God! I shall again praise him for his wondrous help; he will make me smile again, for he is my God!

~Psalm 43:5 The Living Bible

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Does God Have a Purpose for our Grief?

Some experiences create memories that last a lifetime. Given the right stimulus, these memories come to the surface with such vividness, it seems as if they happened yesterday. A middle-aged man related a story that forever influenced how he perceived his father.

When he was about four-years-old, he accompanied his father to check out a boat tied up on the riverbank. This required walking across a pasture. Coming home, he begged his father to carry him but his plea was rejected. It’s impossible to know why his father would not carry him, but that event still creates feelings of grief and rejection.

Sadness hidden away in our memory may surface as anger directed toward others and God. Bad things happen to us, but God’s purpose isn’t to punish unsuspecting people. For those receptive to his kindness, God provides an antidote for hurt and anger – defined as forgiveness based on his grace, mercy, and comfort.

                         

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…for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

~Philippians 2:13 New International Version

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How Does Grief Affect our Identity and Future?

What if all the things I regard as being of great value were suddenly taken away, with no possibility of recovering them? A young man near the end of eight long years of college and graduate school was stunned when his wife announced she would be seeking a divorce. When he tried to dissuade her, he experienced a blunt, cutting anger that would forever change his life.

On a deeper emotional level, an important part of his identity and future fell into an abyss and evaporated into nothingness. Many tearful moments were spent seeking guidance and direction from God for what could be a meaningful future.

At times it’s difficult to distinguish between anger, frustration, and desperation. The Lord God not only understands, but he is capable of making all things work together for good. The Holy Spirit will help you develop patience with yourself and others as you are willing to heal. Trust him for deliverance and a bright future.                       

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[God’s Spirit] knows us far better than we know ourselves …and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

~ Romans 8:27-28 The Message

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How Long Is Grief Supposed to Last?

Grief is often characterized as punishment. That suffering and pain visit both the righteous and the unrighteous can be difficult to accept. Isaiah 53:3 portrays Jesus as “despised and rejected, a man of sorrow, acquainted with grief.” It’s interesting that even Jesus would not be exempt from grief and sorrow.

The duration of grief is determined by our willingness to progress through each stage of grief toward healing. Getting fixated in sadness and depression or in blame and anger prevents healing from advancing to a level where there is freedom to choose a bright future. Grief is like surgery that creates intense pain but brings about healing.

Do not permit anger or sadness to become a constant fixture.in your life. As emotional healing progresses, it’s possible for grief to coexist with hope for a life that promises happiness again. Jesus’ promised to comfort those who grieve, so permit his grace and mercy to heal you. 

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The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit. One who is righteous has many adversities, but the Lord rescues him from them all.

~Psalm 34:17-19 Christian Standard Bible

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What Purpose Does Grief Serve in Our Lives?

Grief is impossible to avoid because so many variables of life are beyond our control, like other people’s behavior and choices. Loved ones pass away, divorce causes us much sorrow, our health declines, accidents result in permanent injuries, our children may never measure up to their potential.

Grief created by an important loss can become complicated when the grieving person becomes fixated or stuck in anger or depression. It’s understandable how a person could permit these crucial emotions to linger on indefinitely when so much of life changes by experiencing a significant loss.

Each stage of grief is designed to help us navigate a particular timeframe in recovery and healing. Thus God permits us to face that reality in stages so healing eventually can take place. God’s word is explicit. “Get rid of all bitterness and anger,” so you can experience his peace. God will help you do it.                          

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Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 4:7 God’s Word Translation

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Can Grief Be the Main Healing Agent for Every Loss?

The word grief is often associated with the death of a loved one, a divorce, or whatever is considered a personal loss. Betrayal of trust may inflict emotional wounds that seems beyond grief’s ability to heal. Trust involves the emotional fabric for bonding and holding together important relationships.

Elizabeth Kubler Ross describes the stages of grief experienced by each person who faces a significant loss. First on the list is shock and disbelief, even denying the loss has occurred. Depression and  sadness form a stage that can last indefinitely. Bargaining, blaming, and anger also play major roles. Finally, the reality of the loss can no longer be denied, so acceptance makes facing the future possible.

Getting stuck in a particular stage is unhealthy and not in keeping with God’s purpose. He intended for grief to be the means for healing. So open your heart to him and permit his grace and mercy to heal you.   

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He is the healer of the brokenhearted. He is the one who bandages their wounds.

~Psalm 147:3 God’s Word Translation

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How Long Will the Wounds Inflicted by Anger Last?

Anger is costly the moment it’s turned on another person or on oneself. The damage anger inflicts may not be obvious, but the cutting-edge wounds of anger can last a lifetime. A high school student shared with a friend the sadness he felt from being the recipient of constant anger directed toward him by his father.

An obvious cost to this young man is the loss of a close, loving relationship with his father. God intended for fathers to love their children, to nurture and actively support their interests and talents. God instructs fathers to teach children how to be successful, to love God and follow him all of the days of their lives.

The danger of habitual anger is that it transforms into hatred. Proverbs 10:12 warns in the New King James Version that “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sin.” It’s not too late to turn from anger and hatred and let the love of God cleanse and wash you and give you peace so forgiveness will be possible for you.                  

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If we confess our sins, we can depend on [God] to do what is right – He will forgive our sins and wash away every wrong.

~1 John 1:9 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

 

[Jesus said,] “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins, too.”

~Mark 11:25 The Living Bible

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