Sing Your Praise to The Lord

   Amy Grant performed a song awhile back called "Sing Your Praise to The Lord".  I listened to it this morning, and thought to myself, "I need to praise Him at all times"!  Hallelujah?  Even when life is challenging and hard, I need to praise Him.  We all do.  I've seen struggles in friends' and family's lives and I struggle as well with difficult situations, but we still need to give praise where it's due, and give it to Whom it's due...Jesus.  In just a few months we will be celebrating Jesus' birth.  He was born fully human and fully God.  He knew no sin.  He grew to the age of 12 and by then was teaching in the temple.  Years would pass and by age 30 he called 12 disciples and began a ministry that would change the world.

     A few months after we celebrate His birth, we celebrate the very essence of why He was born into a world of sinners.  They questioned His ministry and Him.  They mocked Him.  They arrested Him and beat  Him.  They scourged Him and flogged Him.  Spat upon Him and they Crucified Him.  He bled and died for our sin.  God had turned His back on His only Son, so that we may have eternal life.  Then something amazing happened 3 days after His death.  He arose from the borrowed grave He was lying in!  He conquered Death and Hades!  Salvation came to us by His blood, to whoever believed!  How amazing is that?  So yes, we can sing our praise to the Lord in any given situation, because He gave His life for us!

     You may have had a loss or you may have a health or a financial issue.  Family problems or job problems arise, and you are at the end of your rope.  What do you do then?  Give Him praise and glory, just because He died in your place.  Life is hard and we cannot minimize that.  But the truth is that we can praise Him in the midst of our problems, because He gave His life that we might live.  Jesus is our only source of strength.  Jesus is our only source of joy and praise.  Sing your praise to the Lord!

Singing Praises,

Sabrina

Friendship

1 Samuel 18:1

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

     David and Jonathan had a solid friendship.  One of a true bond, down to the depth of their souls.  They were more than just merely best friends.  Their souls were intertwined.  They were more than brothers.  Their love for one another came from God Himself.  That's the kind of friendship we need to have with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  If we would love each other as David and Jonathan loved each other, and the way Christ loves us, the world would see us as real, and not just see Christianity as religiosity that is empty.  I have a friendship that mirrors David and Jonathan's.  My best friend and I were separated by distance for 25 years, yet we stayed in contact.  Even in our silent moments, we were still joined.  I came back home almost 7 years ago, and we still can't see each other enough.  There are frustrations, but there are times we need to cry and need to laugh, and no matter what, we are there for each other.

     I wrote about friends, and showed a video in my last blog, and I want to continue in that content.  There are friendships that are not good for us.  We may hang out with "the wrong crowd" and get into trouble.  There may be "friends" who just bring us down.  We need to be very discerning in whom we make friends with.  The world shows us great sins.  The Bible tells us in James 4:4, You adulterous people!  Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?  Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  Meaning, the lust of the flesh, anyone who leads you to sin, the worldly desires, instead of godly desires.  Those "friends" that lead you to sin, are not friends that are tied to your soul.  They do not have your best interest in mind.  A true friend will lead you in the right direction.  A righteous direction, divinely made from the Lord Himself.

     John 15:13 says, Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.  Are you willing to give it all up for your friends?  Are they willing to give all they have for you?  That is what friendship is all about.  Love and sacrifice, just as Jesus laid down His life for us.  How much are you willing to give to your friendships in your life?  Do you think they are worth the sacrifice?  If you don't think so, then maybe you need to rethink why you are their friend, or if you really are a friend to them.  God wants all of you.  God wants your whole life.  Jesus wants you to love others as He did, and for you to give it your all.  Are you in?

In friendship and love,

Sabrina

Friends are Friends Forever

     In 1987, Michael W. Smith sang this song and it touched my heart.  I had close friends that I was away from, and those that I had lost.  The song lived long in me.  It always melted my heart and made me cry.  Well, just last month, one of my nieces graduated high school and they someone sang this song, and it touched my heart again.  We have have our families for a lifetime, but too, can have lifetime friends, if the Lord is in them.

     From the memory I first have of friends, I had a friend named Mark when I was about 4.  I thought of him as my boyfriend at the time.  Oh, young love, right?  I lost touch over the years and still wonder whatever became of Mark.  For many years I moved from one school to the next and it felt like I had just a few friends.  One in particular was Angela, who I thought of as my best friend in the 3rd grade, but we soon lost touch.  We met up again when I moved back to my hometown.  Since my teens I have had a constant best friend, Karol, who was part of our Youth Ministry in our church.  We have been best friends for over 30 years and not once lost touch, unless I took awhile in writing or calling.  I moved from California to Arizona to Montana and to Illinois, and had the best of friends all around.  I have been truly blessed to stay in contact with them through Facebook and reconnect with old high school friends through Facebook, and coming home.  I was even graced by God to meet friends on a cruise ship!

     For many years, I took advantage of my friends, and only called on them when I needed them.  Then Jesus changed me.  Now, a friend is someone who I cherish and take care of any way I possibly can.  God has given me opportunity for friendships from all over to minister to.  I love all who I meet.   I want to give back what I have taken.  I want to be the kind of friend that will lay down my life for them.  When they cry, I'll be there and cry with them.  When they rejoice, I'll be there to rejoice.  God has called me to minister to people's needs, because at one time, I needed to be ministered to.

     One thing is for sure that I have learned in my journey through life, is to never take friendship for granted, and never take advantage of your friends.  Be there for them as they are there for you.  Love them as Christ loves them, and as Christ loves you.  Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them.  If that is the case, it will last a lifetime.  Cherish everyone, because someday they won't be there.  Life is too short to fret over petty stuff.  Forgive and love your friends.  And if I call you a friend, even on Facebook, you are my friend, and I love you.

Love with the friendship that Christ gave to us,

Sabrina 

My Grace is Sufficient For You

                                                               2 Corinthians 12:9
                                                                 "My grace is sufficient for you,
                                                                   for My strength is made perfect
                                                                                  in weakness".

     Paul had something in his life that he called a thorn in his flesh.  It most likely was an ailment he was suffering from.  Paul prayed 3 times for God to take it away, but He didn't.  Jesus made it perfectly clear that His grace was sufficient for Paul.  Paul later stated in the verse that he would gladly boast in his infirmities that the power of Christ may rest on him.  Paul's journey through the Christian life was tumultuous at best, but he was willing to persevere and run the race to the end, for his reward in heaven.  He was once a brutal persecutor of Christians and now is a fervent follower of Christ. 

     How are we then, to accept God's grace being sufficient for us?  When illnesses arise?  When trials of any come?  Grace is undeserved favor that we can't do for ourselves.  Jesus died on the Cross for our sins with His grace.  We all deserved eternal death, separated from God.  But God gave His only Son to save us.  Paul prayed for his thorn to be removed, and Jesus told him His grace was sufficient.  His grace is sufficient with our sins as well.  The price has been paid once and for all.  It's not by our doing, but by Jesus' doing.  We cannot boast in our salvation, but we can boast in Christ.

     How are you handling God's grace today?  Do you have a "thorn" you want to get rid of?  Are you handling your problems on your own, and not turning to Jesus?  Do you think you are not good enough for Jesus?  Do you think you are not doing enough to get to heaven?  No worries, Jesus' grace has got you covered.  No problems are too big or too small.  You may have an illness that He won't release from you, but rest assure, His grace is sufficient in all ways of life. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding".  Proverbs 3:5.  We don't always understand God's ways, but His ways are always best.  God gave us grace not because it was deserved, but because He loved us enough to spare us from hell.

                                                               In God's sufficient grace,
                                                                                           Sabrina

Turning Sorrow Into Joy

                    "...Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength".  Nehemiah 8:10b

     I wonder sometimes how we can have joy in the midst of sorrow.  Have you wondered the same thing?  Questions abound when illness, terrorism, riots, emotional turmoil, and many other turmoils come.  Where is the joy?  And how do we get it?  Our joy comes only from Jesus, and His joy gives us strength.  When we are in the middle of turmoil, it can seem like joy is a million miles away.  The truth is, we become so consumed with our problem that we focus on it and we become a million miles away from Jesus.  Jesus is always with us.  When we focus on our problem, we are the ones that leave Him, and our joy is gone.

     Life happens.  Earthquakes devastate.  Planes crash.  Children die of cancer.  Suicides soar.  But God.  Two most powerful words in the Bible.  But God can bring joy in the midst of all the chaos.  How?  He sent His Son Jesus to die on the Cross of Calvary, for a sinful and dying world, so that it may have eternal life...and...joy even when trouble strikes.  Having Jesus in your life doesn't mean there won't be trouble, but trusting and relying on Him, gives you hope.  Our life on earth is temporary.  We are getting ready for eternity.  Earth is our training ground for what is yet to come.

     "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world".  John 16:33.  With all that goes on in this lost and dying world, we can find joy in Christ, and with that, His strength.  And as it says in John 16, we can also have peace.  In Philippians, Paul says, don't worry.  Friends, God's got this!  We just have to trust.  I have found myself wondering why all these things happen.  But God is always reassuring me of His joy and peace when I cry out, "Help"!  to Him. 

                       "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus".  Philippians 4:7

     His peace, as well as His joy is beyond what we can understand.  We cannot know God's plan, but He has it in place for us.  So, do not sorrow, His joy is your strength.  Let Him give it to you.

                                                     In peace and joy,
                                                                        Sabrina

Pray Without Ceasing

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18~

     To be honest, I had something else in mind to blog today, but at my soon to be 53 years of age, my mind lost all the content of what I had previously thought.  Oh well, since today is the United States' National Day of Prayer, prayer will be the topic.  God has His ways, doesn't He?  On my Bible Gateway app, the word pray in the Bible is mentioned 392 times.  Prayer is mentioned 184 times.  Praying is mentioned 25 times.  Prayer is important and we must pray to keep communication going between us and our Lord.  With that, we must be thankful in everything, because despite good or bad circumstances, God has given us all we have.  

     How do we pray without ceasing?  It's not praying with our eyes closed on our knees 24/7.  It would be difficult to do the laundry, work at our job, or God forbid, drive with our eyes closed, on our knees.  No, it's an attitude of prayer.  It's always having our heart opened to God's leading and direction in our lives.  And yes we can pray in our mind while we do the laundry, work or drive, with our eyes opened.  Keeping in contact with Jesus at all times, in all situations means leaning on Him at those times.  Trusting Him.  Having faith.  Being strong and courageous in all of life's activities.  Pray without ceasing is having a heart for God.  A longing to hang out with Him all day.

     On our National Day of Prayer, remember those who need our prayers, from our government officials to the neighbor down the street.  Most importantly, open the communication between you and God all day, everyday.  Call upon Him in need and in praise.  He wants to hear from you.  His line is always open.  Remember as it says in these verses, it is the will of God to pray without ceasing.  God never ceases in His love for us.  Be a blessing to God and someone else.  Never stop having a heart of prayer.

Praying always in His Name

Sabrina

Just Wait

Psalm 27

Wait on the Lord;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the Lord.

     This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible.  I may have told this story before, but here I go again.

     I was in a hospital in 1987.  I had some neurological symptoms and they did an MRI on me and several other tests.  They came to the conclusion that I had a mass in my head that was inoperable and they gave me days to live.  My life just then turned upside down.  My family's lives turned upside down.  I was 25 years old, married, with a baby.  What would happen next?

     After the crying, and going on, a nurse, who happened to be a Christian, came in and recited this verse to me and prayed for me.  I felt uneasy and afraid, but yet I felt peace coming from this precious nurse.  The next day came with results again from the MRI.  It might have been a miracle, who knows?  It might have been a doctor's mistake, who knows?  Only God knows.  The mass in my head was scar tissue.  I was going to live!  What we have to know is we have to wait on God, with courage.  He will give us the strength we need.  A miracle did happen by the way.  God showed me that waiting on Him, in His timing meant I would see blessings.  And I did!

     Fast forward 28 years later...

     Worried God wasn't listening.  Worried God wasn't answering.  Wondering where He was when I messed up.  With tears in my eyes, He held me close, and said, "Wait".  So the next day comes around, very early, and I'm thinking of the verse, "...Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning".  And I thought again, still struggling, "Where is my joy"?  All of a sudden I felt peace and joy with the arms of Jesus holding me.

     The next thing I know, I get a text from a family member with some good news we were praying about, and I cried for joy this time.  I failed the day before to trust and have faith...and to wait.  The next day, God showed up.  Another verse that comes to mind as I conclude this is, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding".  Proverbs 3:5.

     God always shows up when you least expect it.  Are you waiting on Him?

Waiting on Him

Sabrina

Stand

Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 

Are we willing to stand?  These verses are meant for our stand against the devil. But what does that mean for us?  What stands do we make?  Do we stand against our selfish desires?  Our anger?  Our sinfulness?  Where do we draw the line?  Or do we draw the line when it comes to standing for Christ?  What costs come in doing the right thing?  Do we carry the whole armor of God to take that stand?  Do we gird our waists with truth?  Do we put on our breastplates of righteousness?  Do we shod our feet with the gospel of peace?  Do we take our shields of faith?  Do we take our helmets of salvation and our swords of the Spirit; the Word of God?

When we stand against the devil we are standing against sin.  We are standing against the desires of the flesh.  Sometimes we have to sacrifice things in our lives that stand in our way.  Some things we really want to keep, and even those things we keep that we don't really want, but can't get rid of until we stand for what God wants.  That is not always easy.  Paul said in Romans 7:15, "For what I am doing, I do not understand.  For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do."  Sometimes we do things in our flesh that we wish we wouldn't do.  We must stand firm with our armor so that we can fight against such things.

Let's take a stand today against the evil of this world, against that which the devil would have us to do, so that, we as Christians, can live above reproach and show Who Jesus really is to a dying world.

                          In His Love

                             Sabrina

Greater Love

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

John 15:13

     He hung there for hours after being beaten to unrecognition.  His friends fled except for the women and one of his friends.  They spat and mocked and bet on His clothes.  They laughed at the dying man.  They did not know what they were doing.  He said nothing to set Himself free at His trial, after the one who betrayed Him, a supposedly close friend, sold out for thirty pieces of gold.  He asked is Father before all this in the garden, if this could not happen, but then prayed for His Father's will.  His hands and feet were nailed to a tree with two criminals on each side of Him.  One would be in eternity with Him, because he knew Who He was and He forgave Him.  He was there on that tree because of the greatest love ever.  A new hope for all.  One Lamb to be sacrificed for all.  He finally said, "It is finished!"

     He laid down His life for His friends, for us.  The greatest love of all.  He was sinless, yet He died for our sins, so that we might live in Glory with Him.  That is the best Valentine one could give to another.  This Valentine's Day, do something to someone with sacrificial love in mind.  Not necessarily dying for them, but dying to yourself for them.  Jesus didn't have to die for us, and no one took His life, but He chose to lay down His life to save us from sin.  He chose.  Made a choice, and gave up His life for ours.  Can you fathom that?

     When I think now of roses for Valentine's Day, I think of the thorns on Jesus's head.  When I think of chocolates, I think of not only the sweetness of Jesus' love for us, but the bitter taste He was given in the sour wine when He was thirsty.  What He gave up was everything on our behalf.  So now what do we do with it?  Do we fly the bird at someone who cut us off in traffic?  Do we ignore those in need?  Do we love our family and friends with no strings attached?  Do we reach out to strangers with the gospel and share what He has done for all of us?  It's our choice.  It's your choice.  How will you respond this Valentine's Day?

Happy Valentine's Day 2015!

Sabrina

Why Forgive Others?

Mark 11:25

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

     Many years had passed with unforgiveness in my heart.  My heart was is agony.  I was defeated.  The unnecessary pain I went through was enough to engulf me in flames of despair to the point of death.  The troubles I had in the past compared to nothing that happened after.  Not a day went by that my turmoil and strife overwhelmed me.  I was wronged and I sure wasn't going to let that person off easy.  But it hurt me more than them.  Several years of hurt, anger and anguish passed...until I made my relationship right with Jesus.

     Jesus commands that we forgive, or we won't be forgiven.  It doesn't matter if someone murdered the one you loved, or a friend lied to you.  You must forgive.  It's not for the sake of the one who hurt you, but for your sake.  We all sin, since Adam and Eve.  We've all hurt someone.  Would you want to be forgiven?  Then forgive.  The barriers and walls of unforgiveness keeps us in bondage to Satan.  He wants us to hate others and be miserable, and he wants us separated from God's forgiveness.  Jesus died for our sins.  He forgave them all.  So why shouldn't we forgive others?

     The heart of following Jesus is to forgive.  If you have a grievance with someone, go to them and make it right.  Forgiving someone does not excuse what they have done to you, it just means that you put the past behind you and let go of what they did.  We can't save others on our own merit, but God can.  In forgiving someone, it may change them, and they may get right with God.  You never know what an impact you can make with your actions, whether good or bad.  And if you forgive them, God will forgive you.

I hope you will be blessed with a forgiving heart today.

Sabrina

Desperately Seeking______?

Deuteronomy 15:11

For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, "You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land".

     As I look out my sliding glass door to my patio, I see trees and humming birds, among other birds flying from tree to tree.  I see cars passing by in the parking lot of my apartment complex, and I see the lot behind us and the traffic on the street on the other side of the lot.  I see people walking to and from their cars and apartments.  Then, slightly north, I see a dumpster, that we take out our trash to almost daily.  It just sits there in the sunlight of the day, and in the moonlight of the night, waiting on us to fill it up.  There is a peculiarity about it when it is topped with the trash, just before dawn, and after dusk, though sometimes in between.  The peculiarity is that desperate people come along and climb into the bin and rummage through it for their "treasures".  Most are from the streets, with no job, and nowhere to lay their heads at night.  They look for plastic or cans and paper to gather to collect money just to eat, or maybe to obtain other substances, or maybe food itself, whatever the case.  These are desperate people looking...looking for something...desperately seeking.

     Desperate people doing desperate things.  Seeking something...or...seeking Someone.  The poor will always be.  Poor because they have no means, or poor spiritually, though it could be both.  We look out our windows and see them searching, and we do nothing, as we sit comfortably in our chairs.  Giving to the poor doesn't always mean giving them money.  Maybe it's a bite to eat, a place to lay their head, or maybe it's food for their soul...the gospel.  Are they sick?  Are they in prison?  Go and help them.  Many people are afraid to go up to a homeless person.  Though there may be some that are harder to approach than others, we can pray for them, or give them a smile.  Everyone needs Jesus.  

     Digging through the trash to find something of value is like us digging for something we yearn for in our hearts.  We seek out things that we think might make us happy and yet they don't.  Nothing we rummage through makes a difference until we find Jesus.  We just need to find the right place to find our treasures.  The poor need that more than ever, because they are mostly forgotten by their family and by society.  They are outcasts.  But you want to know the truth?  So were we.  And, Jesus was basically and outcast in society's eyes.  He did not have a home of His own, and most people ignored Him.  We need to love our neighbor's as ourselves.  Our neighbors are not just those who have a house across the street.  Our neighbors may not even have a house.  Don't ignore those who seem so different than yourselves, just because they aren't as fortunate as you.  Help those in need and God will reward you.

The next time you see a homeless person walking down the street, if nothing else, just say hello.  It may just make a difference.

Sabrina

     



     

     

Food and Fellowship and Choosing God Over Others

Isaiah 40:11

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather His lambs with His arms, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who with young.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

     We all need to be fed.  We all need others.  And we all need to make a choice between God and others or other things.  If we are going to be ministers to each other, we must first put God first, at all cost, and get fed by the Word of God, and if we must also have fellowship with others.  God gave us a choice in the Garden, Him or ourselves.  We chose ourselves.  We lost fellowship with God and we lost fellowship with each other.  Adam and Eve felt naked and ashamed.  They also could no longer get food for their souls because they were set apart from God.  Adam and Eve made the choice to put their desires first, but should we?  If we are ministers of the Word, whom should we choose?

     We have so many distractions on Sunday morning.  In the fall, there is football.  We also may want to get away for a day, and the day we have left on our calendar is Sunday.  There may be your child's sports or family visits.  Or you may just not want to go to church that day for no good reason.  Are you putting God first and getting fed by His Word?  Like our bodies, our souls cannot function without food.  And we need each other to be accountable to each other and to have the support of fellow brother and sisters in the family of God.

     Let's put our own desires aside for a moment and give God our full attention, not just on Sunday, but everyday.  Keep in fellowship with others as much as you can.  Busyness can keep us from so many things, but we have to make God our first priority or we will starve.  Who is your god today?  And are you hungry and lonely?

Seek ye first the kingdom of God this weekend, and all week.  Be blessed!

Sabrina

     

The Warrior Is A Child

     Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--

     There are sometimes when a warrior gets weak and wants to just go home.  Sometimes we just want to go to our Heavenly Father and cry.  Weariness sets in and we become weak.  Others may see us as strong believers, but we all have our days when we just want to be comforted in our Father's arms.  The Armor of God is there at our own dispense.  God gave it to us to use against the devil's schemes.  Sometimes the devil pierces us so, that we fall down.  But we can get back up, with the help of Jesus.  

     Don't worry when you fall.  Jesus paid the penalty of our sin and He is right there to pick us up.  There is no fear in love, and He loves us.  Being a warrior in Jesus' army is a tough job.  We must always be watchful and we must always be prepared.  We do not, however, need to be discouraged when we fall down.  Stand.  Stand up.  Take a stand, at all costs.  We are fighters until Jesus calls us home to heaven, so stand until then.  We have a friend that loves us better than a brother, and we do not need to fear the enemy, satan.  He is already done for, and his place is in hell.  Our place is with our Father in heaven.  We fight a daily battle, but we have already won in Jesus, so stand up.  And if you fall down, Jesus will be there to pick you up.

There is a warrior in all of us that know Jesus.  God bless.

Sabrina

What Do You Expect From 2015?

Isaiah 42:8-10

I am the Lord, that is My Name; and My Glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images.  Behold, the former things have come to pass, and things new I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of the.  Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you coastlands and you inhabitants of them!

     There are no flying cars.  There are no time traveling vehicles, there are no flux capacitors (that I know of).  We don't use trash for fuel, and skateboard still travel on wheels too, yet, here is the year 2015.  We have however, did travel through time, whether it was from 1955, 1985 or other previous dates.  We had a birth, a childhood and adolescence, and quite possibly now in young adulthood, middle aged, or as we fondly, but mistakenly call, "The Golden Years".  I know it's a bit corny to reference Back to the Future in this blog, but that's been my joke for 2015.  We have no flying cars!  Technology has stopped in it's tracks on that point.  

     What we do have is a new beginning.  A New day, a New week, a New month and of course, a New Year to start afresh.  What do you expect from 2015?  What do you expect from yourself or from God?  Or should the question be, what does God expect from you?  If I were to make a New Year's resolution (which I find mostly useless), it would be to be more compassionate, loving, kind and to help those in need and share the Gospel with many people.  Most resolutions are pointless and unattainable, but if we attain to be more Christ-like, the Holy Spirit will guide us.  There may be trials and tribulations this year, but only so that we can grow in Christ and walk His path.

     2015 will be a very good year.  God makes each day, so it's all good.  What we do when trouble strikes depends on how good we make our days.  I once heard a man say that every day is good, no matter what happens.  This is true in every sense.  This year we all need to make a difference in our behavior, our attitude, our lifestyle, and our walk with God.  God expects from us our devotion, our faithfulness, our trust and our willingness to "go out and make disciples".  This year draw closer to Jesus and do what He commands you to do.

Happy New Year and welcome to 2015 (without flying cars)!

Sabrina