Is It Possible to Renew Deferred Personal Dreams?

Investigations into how to use the life you’re given actually begin in early adolescence. What a young person thinks may be a perfect choice will predictably be modified as maturity evaluates other possibilities more suitable to their personality and interest.

Enquiries concerning the reason for making an earlier choice may surface periodically to clarify apparent confusion. What influenced a choice may or may not be obvious, but being thankful for what God has given you is a privilege to explore.

Adulthood can be the time to rediscover a personal relationship with God that was shelved earlier because of distractions. Now you can return to the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen to 1 Peter 4:11: “Whoever will serve, let it be as one who serves by the strength God supplies in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” What is more important?   

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Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and he shines forever without change or shadow.  

~James 1:17 The Living Bible

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Is Continual Happiness Possible?

Casual observation reveals that we expect to be consistently happy. We may not be completely unhappy or disgruntled, but this slight degree of unhappiness keeps us hoping for positive change. Studies reveal that we will be exposed to unhappiness but change and growth may occur only during this timeframe.

Dissatisfaction and unhappiness can push us to seek help for personal and relationship problems. Yearning for change inspires us to reach out in search of solutions before troublesome problems expand beyond the scope of being resolved.

God wants you to remember that he is the giver of all good things. The cattle on a thousand hills belong to him, meaning he is the source of whatever you need, and he will supply your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. God recognizes your need, so give thanks for what he has already provided. His desire is to help you, so thank him for that blessing.   

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You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings.

~Psalm 63:7 Contemporary English Version 

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

~Psalm 9:1 New International Version

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Celebrating Christmas with Joy and Hope

Were you expecting a special gift for Christmas? Has Corvid-19 changed how you celebrate Christmas? You may be contending with difficult circumstances that have dimmed the light for Christmas Day, but fix your mind on Christ Jesus, in whom there is no darkness.

The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Once you were darkness but now you are light,” and the Apostle John further illuminates for us that darkness will not overcome your light because “you have the light of life.” A reason for joy and hope is, “Every good and perfect gift comes from God the Father, the Creator of light in whom no darkness exists.” Christ Jesus is your good and perfect gift. Thanks be to God for hope, joy and peace. Merry Christmas.  

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Suddenly an angel appeared among [some shepherds], and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem!”

~Luke 2:9-11 The Living Bible

May the hope-inspiring God so fill you with perfect joy and peace through your continuing faith, that you may bubble over with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

~Romans 15:13 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

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Too Much Heat in the Kitchen

Jacob’s concurrent marriages to sisters Leah and Rachel would bring a directional change to his life. Can you imagine the potential for conflict that this arrangement would generate in a home? The sisters were subject to jealousy and envy that often got out of hand because of a fierce competition for Jacob’s love and acceptance. Leah knew she was not Jacob’s first choice.

There's an old cliche that emphatically states, "There's not enough room in the kitchen for two women.” Can you imagine the atmosphere of a household where there are two wives who are sisters, married to the same man? Remember, God was not the author of the deception that allowed this double marriage to take place.

 

The only one who gave consent to this double marriage was the father of the sisters. However, Leah’s unhappiness did not escape God’s attention, and she soon gave birth to a son. Leah acknowledged he was a gift from the Lord. Wherever you are, please know that God sees and cares what's happening to you, so bring all your problems to him. 

 

Giving the Best Gift

Jacob and Esau, although twin brothers, were not emotionally close nor were they good friends. Jacob was a quiet, observing person who stayed close to the tent. Esau was a skilled hunter, robust by nature, who took from each day what was available. Jacob planned, was ready and eager to use his wits to reach his objective.

Genesis 25:34 notes how Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew, but only after Esau agreed to trade his birthright for the stew. Why not give Esau the food with no strings attached? What kind of person takes advantage of his brother? For Jacob it was a deal too good to pass up, and besides, a good opportunity doesn’t come along every day.

Jacob didn’t love his brother enough to prevent this deplorable, manipulative act from taking place. He could have given Esau the food. Giving is an act of love and trust that strengthens the bond between the giver and the recipient. When you freely give, your competence to love others as God loves you is enhanced.