‘Present’ - 2023 Word of the Year
I’ll start with the basics of ‘PRESENT’ this month: define the word, see what the Bible has to say as an introduction, and then see what I can do to keep present as a focus through the year. This word has a few definitions, so I am keen to see how God unfolds it.
How to deal with regret biblically: 3 steps
Dealing with regret isn’t easy, but God can redeem them. We can regain possession of the losses or gain something greater for our disappointments by trusting in God to make the old new.
Breaking Trust: God forgives and takes me back
Be reminded of his full forgiveness and acceptance following sin. The weight that lifts, the pain that can be soothed only by the Holy Spirit.
Trusting God Leads to Fruitfulness
God takes the adversity of our lives, the struggles, and the challenges, and he uses them to make us fruitful. He tests our faith and that makes it stronger, not weaker.
Trust in God Even When Life is Hard
When all seems lost or a spiritual crisis hits, trust in God. Trust, not asking God to do what we want or to bless what we are doing but seeking his will and doing that. Trust by being well with whatever lot comes your way and his peace will accompany you, attend your way. His love drives his actions toward you, meaning that they will be good.
Complete in Christ - Colossians 2:8-23
Paul says that we need not be distracted or deceived by such things because we are complete in Christ, who is the fullness of God. Colossians 2
To Trust and Obey a Loving God
Why is it easier to obey God than to trust him? Is that even true?
Preaching Christ like the Colossians
In some way, it seems we can preach Christ with our lives. While we live Christ, our lives teach or preach who we believe in. The challenge is to ensure our preaching is consistently Christ.
Trust in God’s Timing
God is faithful and trustworthy; we have nothing to fear. He shows up, in time, every time.
Spiritual Growth Like the Colossians
Paul explains to the Colossians what spiritual maturity looks like in four aspects. Colossians 1:1-14
4 Ways to Increase your Trustworthiness to God
We have been trained up to meet the challenges that we have in life. Even better, we have the Spirit accompanying us in these challenges. God trusts us in the measure that he sees our trustworthiness. Increase that trustworthiness in these four ways.
God trusts you
God approved you and entrusted you with his plans. He trusts you and believes in you to carry them out and has sent his Spirit as a seal of his presence as you co-labor.
Book Review: The God Who Trusts by Wm. Curtis Holtzen
The God Who Trusts puts forth ideas that God not only trusts but risks and hurts all for us humans. It has certainly stretched my thinking on God and who he is, what he has done and continues to do for me and all humanity.
How does God restore?
So, biblical restoration is not about gaining back the material possessions or even relationships that we have lost. God’s restoration is about gaining Him, getting right with him and once we have found our right place with Him, we work with him into our purpose.
How do I trust God?
If I believe that God is trustworthy and faithful, that his word is true and his promises are fulfilled but I never lean into them, then do I believe them? Do I believe God?