Anticipate Success, Not Failure

Facing a new beginning can create anxiety and even fear. Fear is often caused by what is anticipated. The phrase "what if” magnifies negative possibilities. A farmer who was having a difficult time making a living was offered a job in a nearby city, but the "what ifs" began to erode his confidence.

“What if I can't live up to the job’s expectations? What if my wife and children do not like the city and schools?” Moses used "what if" as an excuse when responding to God’s call to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. Fulfilling God's purpose brings great satisfaction, but often at the cost of a significant sacrifice.

What is God asking of you at this moment that causes you to be anxious or fearful? Concentrate on God’s promise and keep this at the forefront of your thinking and feelings. Jesus promised, "I'll be with you and never forsake you." Let his promise give you courage and hope to press onward with confidence to successfully fulfill God’s purpose.  

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Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

~Joshua 1:8-9 New International Version

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Faith's Priority ~ Everlasting Father

The majority of human beings have a list of priorities that guide their lives. What has influenced your list of priorities that guide you through the Christmas holidays? It is so easy to be pressured into believing gift-giving is more important than our relationships with those to whom the gifts will be given. We should not believe or accept that – but just listen those TV commercials!

What can we discover about faith’s priorities that intend to keep joy and God’s everlasting love in all activities, that ring out the Good News that Jesus has come to be Savior, Redeemer and Everlasting Father? We demonstrate faith’s priority when we emphasize God so loved us, He gave His ultimate best to save us. Merry Christmas! 

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

And the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called … Everlasting Father...

~Isaiah 9:6 New International Version

You will conceive and have a son, and you will call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the most high God. And the Lord will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. He and His kingdom will never end.

~Luke 1:31-33 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

~John 3:16 New King James Version

And be sure of this – that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.

~Matthew 28:20 The Living Bible

Like It or Not, Change Will Come - Part 2

At every stage of life, change is imminent. Change opposes complacency or the status quo, but we're often hesitant to make even small changes. We know and understand that change is needed, even desired, yet anxiety creates opposition because of the uncertainty of not knowing exactly what lies ahead.

Benjamin Cardozon said of the judicial process, “Nothing is stable or absolute. Everything is fluid and changeable. Evolving or becoming is never finished.” When we’re forced to think about life, we would agree. When everything is on the line and we’re forced to accept change, there is a strange hesitance to move forward and accept what life offers.

In Malachi 3:6 God issues a warning and a promise: “I the Lord do not change.” God challenged his people to return to him and he would return to them. Returning and trusting God gives assurance to insecure people facing continuous challenges. Jesus promised us, “Look, I will be with you always.” You can trust his promise.