Jesus first taught His disciples to pray for God’s kingdom to manifest on earth just like it does in heaven.

Mt 6:9-10
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’”

The Kingdom of God is a realm of commanded blessings so God wants us to have heaven’s blessings. He wants us to be worry-free because we know our loving heavenly Father has only good for us.

2 Cor 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Let’s pray today for God’s will to be done in us. Let’s be faithful knowing we will not lack if we stay in the Kingdom realm. We will stay if we are patient and believe in the goodness of God!

2 Pt 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

May your feet walk in holiness and your steps be ordered by the Lord today!

Walking in holiness means to live according to the purposes of God. It means our sin nature is dead and our new nature in Christ, led by the Spirit, lives for God’s will.

1 Pt 2:24a
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.

Paul amplifies this truth by writing that followers of Christ cannot live according to the sinful nature.

Rom 8:9
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Since we are God’s children let’s walk in holiness today and live abundantly. Let’s stop wrestling with God and yield to His Lordship in our lives.

Rom 8:13b-14
… If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

By God’s grace we will continue seeking the Lord and living in His kingdom as 2025 gets underway. We will live in the fear of the Lord.

Acts 9:31b
(The church) was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

The fear of the Lord is a childlike trust in God knowing He loves us and knowing we must obey Him.

The wise king Solomon wrote the following:

Eccl 12:13-14
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Solomon reminds us to wholeheartedly follow God or we will fail and life will be empty and meaningless.

Let’s live life to the full, expecting blessings of love, joy, and peace by fearing God and living in the realm of commanded blessing.

Jn 10:10b
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Let’s keep loving Jesus and seek first God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom is a realm of commanded blessing. When God is our priority then He promises to meet our needs. We don’t have to worry about food, clothing, or any necessities because God will provide.

Mt 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Let’s remember the widow’s oil as told in 2 Kings 4:1-7. She and her family revered the Lord but were in debt. Her sons were about to be enslaved to satisfy the debt. But God!

The prophet Elisha asked her to trust God and give him the little oil they had. Then God keep multiplying the oil until they had enough to pay off the debt.

2 Kg 4:7
…and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

Let’s seek God’s kingdom first each and every day because King Jesus is all we need because He rules! Thank you, Jesus, for loving kindness!

Unfortunately, our culture is filled with deception and half-truths. So what is truth? It’s a principle that shapes our lives and relationships.
Truth flows from Jesus!

Jn 14:6
Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

Through Jesus, we can discover absolute truth that leads to eternal life.
Truth sets us free!

Jn 8:32
Jesus declared, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Truth brings clarity, freedom, and peace to our hearts.
We can live in truth!

Eph 4:25
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor.

Living in truth builds trust and close, loving relationships.
Truth is found in Scripture!

Ps 119:160
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

Every word in Scripture is reliable. It provides guidance and wisdom for all aspects of our lives.
May we live in Truth. We will prosper. Folks will see Jesus. We will make disciples for God’s glory!

I’m looking forward to open doors in 2025. I pray for new opportunities to give Him glory. I pray for multiplied disciple-making and an abundant life realized for all.

1 Cor 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Jn 10:10b
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Accordingly, let’s keep in mind the principle of sowing and reaping!

Gal 6:7b
A man reaps what he sows.

So if we love like Jesus then we will know love. We will give and have plenty. We will ask and it will be given to us. We will not judge and we will receive mercy.

Mt 7:11
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Let’s ask for more of His Spirit and sow His love so we can reap a life of love!

Gal 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

What is truth? Pilate asked this famous question when questioning Jesus before His crucifixion (Jn 18:38).

Earlier, while speaking to His disciples Jesus said:
Jn 14:6
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

As followers of Jesus we must walk in truth.

Billy Graham wrote:
'Admiral Jim Stockdale served in Vietnam and spent time as a prisoner of war in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” He once was asked which men didn’t make it out of the prison. His answer was surprising: “The optimists.” He went on to explain.” You must never confuse faith that YOU will prevail in the end.” '

In other words, we must speak the truth to ourselves. It’s arrogance to think we can do anything without Jesus.

Phil 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Let’s seek God’s will by faith not by works. Let’s not arrogantly do things with only our thoughts and skills. Instead let’s seek God and wait on Him so we never fail.

As we grow in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, let’s delight in prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God. God loves when we pray and Jesus teaches us how!

Lk 11:1b-4
“Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

Furthermore, Jesus encourages us to pray boldly!

Lk 11:8b-9
…yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Lastly, Jesus says His Father will only give us good things with the best gift of all, Holy Spirit!

Lk 11:13b
…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Let’s get into the habit of praying. What a privilege!

In 2025 let’s really make a difference! It seems the time is now.

Rev 3:11
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

As a son or daughter of the Father, we should be known by love. Therefore by God’s grace, we must encourage one another! We must show kindness! We must be compassionate!

Jn 13:35
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Our families and friends must know us as seeing the good in people. We must become known for self-control, even under stress and pressure.

Let’s be known as hopeful when most are depressed and cynical; hope is a spiritual fruit. Like Jesus, we stand out as light in this dark world.

Jn 9:5
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Let’s be known for Christlikeness. Let’s yield to the Lordship of Jesus, allowing the Spirit to control us. I see a door opening for us to bring the Light to those who live in darkness.

Happy New Year!
God is good all the time and all the time God is good! Is He ever not good? No!

2025 will have its challenges. There will be good times and bad times. Some of the bad times may seem impossible to overcome. During those times of adversity I pray we’ll be joyful knowing something good will happen.

Jam 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Let’s start 2025 off with praising God like Jehoshaphat and the Israelites did as they faced a formidable army.

2 Chr 20:21b-22
“Give thanks to the LORD,
for his love endures forever.”
As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

As we praise Him, He will open doors for us. So let’s expect “Open doors in 2025!” Let’s have great times with God saturated by love.

Rev 3:8a
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.

Let’s be fruitful and multiply!

Of all the wonderful things God has done, I’m most thankful for the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Jesus often referred to this in John’s Gospel as His “time.”

Jn 17:1
(Jesus) looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.

I am very thankful that God loves us so much that He gave Jesus to us as the only possible sin sacrifice that would redeem us and give us eternal life. Where would we be without His love?

Rom 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,Christ died for us.

What would life be like if there was no resurrection from the dead? What if this life was all there was?

Jn 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.

Let’s enter 2025 with the praise of God on our lips, most thankful for the “time” of Jesus Christ!

Let’s be fruitful and multiply!

2024 is almost over! Let’s plan to start 2025 pressing toward the goal of becoming like Jesus.

May I suggest getting a Bible and Bible reading plan ready? Perhaps set up or make new additions to your prayer room. Purchase a journal or apps for prayer and life journals. Make a prayer list for 2025. May I suggest praying not only for our church, family, and friends but also for a few enemies? Plan to be at every Bible study and worship service but for required trips or planned getaways. Finally, set some giving goals including a reserve for unexpected needs of others.

If we do the above, I believe we’ll be set up for success! I remember an adage from years ago: “Live for God today and there will be no regrets tomorrow.”

Mt 22:37-40
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Let’s be fruitful and multiply!