The cartoon character Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes once said, “God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now, I’m so far behind I’ll never die.”

For you as a Christian there are a certain number of things you must accomplish. Remember Jonah who had to go to Nineveh?  There were only two ways this could be accomplished. The easy way and the hard way. He chose the hard way. Read the account.

Now, as for you as a Christian, there are two ways to live your life. The easy way and the hard way. Which one will you choose in the new year?

Proverbs 3:11-12 

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of His reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom He loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Revelation 3:19 

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Give it some thought and don’t mess with God’s will.

Gary

A boy asked his father, “Dad, if three frogs were sitting on a limb that hung over a pool, and one frog decided to jump off into the pool, how many frogs would be left on the limb?” 

The dad replied, “Two.” 

“No,” the son continued. “There are three frogs and one decides to jump, how many are left?” 

The dad said, “Oh, I get it. If one decides to jump, the others would too. So, there are none left.” 

The boy said, “No, Dad, the answer is three. The frog only DECIDED to jump.” 

Does that sound like last year’s resolution? Great inspiration and great resolutions, but often times we only decide, and months later we are still on the same limb of do-nothing.

–       Author unknown

If you can’t make a decision, then there is no need to make a resolution for the new year. However, if you are in the mood for real change, read this:

Romans 2:4 

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Revelation 2:5 

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Give it some thought and then jump.

Gary

Pete, at a New Year’s party, turns to his friend, Ken, and asks for a cigarette.  

“I thought you made a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking,” Ken responds.

“I’m in the process of quitting,” replies Pete with a grin. “Right now, I am in the middle of phase one.”

“Phase one?” 

“Yeah,” laughs Pete, “I’ve quit buying.”

Not much of a plan to rid oneself of a bad habit, is it?  Do you think this year will be the same as the last for Pete? The Bible has the only solution that really works and it’s called repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 

The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Matthew 3:8 

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

If you desire 2023 to be different, I would suggest repentance.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Dear Santa,

There are three little boys who live at our house. There is Jeffrey; he is two. There is David; he is four. And there is Norman; he is seven. Jeffrey is good some of the time. David is good some of the time. But Norman is good all of the time.

I am Norman.

How easy it is to judge others and not see the flaws in ourselves.

Luke 6:37
Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

James 1:26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

Give it some thought.

Gary

When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day’s pay for his time, that is a wage.  When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize.  When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award.  But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award – yet receives such a gift anyway – that is a good picture of God’s unmerited favor.  This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God.                     

1. W. Knight

Ephesians 3:12

 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Give it some thought.

Gary

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Would We Know?

If we had been the shepherds one night long ago,
I wonder if we’d recognize the star or if we’d know
the reason for His birth and if we’d really go
to worship at the manger. I wonder, would we know?

Is it really any different than if Jesus came today?
I wonder, would we recognize His face in any way?
Or would we turn away from Him
not knowing what to say?

If Jesus walked among us in our hurried, busy pace,
I wonder if this stranger would really find a place?

Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Purposes of the Incarnation:

To do the Father’s will…

John 6:38

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

To bear witness to the truth…

John 18:37

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

To bring light to the darkness…

John 12:46

I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

To bring true judgment…

John 9:39

 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”

To bring abundant life…

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

 Give it some thought.

Gary