It’s all how you look at it!

I remember at 7 years old, I worked at the bowling alley with my two brothers washing bowling pins. We went on a Saturday to a matinee of a brand-new movie starring the Beatles! “A Hard Day’s Night!” After, my friends wanted me to go to the playground with them, but I told them I had to work. They teased me and told me I was going to miss out. I was bummed, but had committed to be a part of the Leigh brothers work team when we got the job.

Mark, Alan, and I had a blast washing and drying the pins while singing Beatle songs. Later that week my friends were bummed as they saw me enjoy the Brötchen (Delicious German role…Hard and crusty on the outside, soft and warm on the inside) and the German sweets I bought from the Bakery right off base with the money I earned from working.

So much of our life is impacted by how we process (think about) what is happening.  

Scripture states that: 

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Proverbs 23:7 As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.

We should meditate on these Scriptures as we begin our new year. 

God reinforced this to me the other day. I was not in a good mood. I could not find my cane and my RA was in a flare, making it more difficult to walk.

When I found it, I was in a “Bah Humbug” frame of mind. I went into my office, closed my eyes, and complained in my spirit, “Why do I have to have this cane?!” I opened my eyes and I was in the dark...I had not turned the light in my office on. Now I would have to get up out of my chair and go turn on the light! Woah is me! {This is called a pity party.} :) 

Then I realized, if I rolled in my chair to the end of my office mat, I could use my cane to switch the light on! Now I was thankful for my cane!

Oh, the fickleness of my heart! Who can free me from it? My Creator! IF I open my heart to Him, He will give me the proper perspective for whatever circumstances I am in. He is willing to do the same for you.

The So What: How are you viewing the year to come? Are you going to allow your circumstances to control you, or ask God to control you and your circumstances? The best way to experience a new year is if you are a New You! 

The nature of things!

As a kid I did not eat chocolate because it was there… I ate it because I was a chocolate lover! My dad used to be amazed that no matter where he hid it, I would find it! Sometimes I believe my middle name should have been, “Willie Wonka”! 

Spiritually all of us, even those who deny it, are not sinners because they sin. If that were the case, we could work our way completely out of sin. If that were possible then God is a horrible Father, because He allowed His Son to be put to death for something we could take care of ourselves. 

That reality did not exist. Our nature is infected with sin at the moment of conception. That was the result of the rebellion in the garden.

Jesus makes it clear that we commit sin because in our natural state we are enslaved to it, and He came to set us free from that. 

John 8:31–36…34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 

What does this freedom mean? It does not mean we will not sin, but now we possess the ability to say no to the old nature in us, which is all we had before we trusted Christ and He created in us a new nature. 

Consider this: If your desires for everything in life are controlled only by a nature that is selfish; 1. How hard will be to resist? 2. How often will you lose? 3. How long will you be motivated to not think of yourself only?

The reality is many have done what is right solely due to peer pressure. Society looked down on it, so individuals refrained or did it in secret.

Christ creates a new nature in us that loves God and His values. Now we have power to fight a selfish nature with a selfless one! If we yield to the Holy Spirit living in us, our new nature will rule our flesh! This is freedom! 

To look at a beautiful woman and just see beauty, not move to lust. To see success in others and to rejoice for them, and not feel jealous or resentful. To be wronged and to only desire to restore the relationship, not commit bodily violence. To see a speeding crazy driver and pray for him to become safe, not to pray for him to meet a police officer or a guard rail! 

I have lived under the control of both natures…ONLY the new nature brought me peace, contentment, and a meaningful sense of purpose.

The So What: Do you desire to control your life in a way that brings authentic joy and contentment? Do you desire to know that your future path has a great ending? That is why the first Christmas happened! Christ desires a relationship with you, right now, as you are. What are you waiting for? What is more important to you than your eternal condition? Need to talk…leave me a message.