Wednesday, January 13, 2010

How is Your Faith?

There is a story told of a man who had been traveling for quite sometime. It was hot and he was getting thirsty. He can upon a water pump, beside the pump was a jar of water with a note that read. “The pump must be primed before it will work. In the jar is just enough water to prime the pump. If you prime the pump, you will have more water than you could possibly drink, but if you drink any of the water in the jar you will not be able to prime the pump. After drinking the water, please refill the jar for the next traveler.”


This man had a choice. Did he have enough faith that by pouring the water into the pump he would get enough water to drink, or was he going to just drink the water in the jar?

How is your faith? Do you trust God's plans for you as you go into 2010? Do you believe God's promises?
 
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. (NASB)

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

New Year

Joshua 1:2 says, "Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel."

God basically tells Joshua, "The past is behind you, so let's get going."

Moses was dead, but God's purpose was very much alive. This was no time to stand around reminiscing about the good old days or thinking about all the regrets and the "what ifs". It was time to move forward.

As you beging this new year, maybe thoughts of the past are holding you back. it's easy to get bogged down in regrets over things you can't cahnge. Maybe you took some wrong steps last year. Maybe you suffered a painful loss. Maybe someone let you down or you had a big disappointment. It's time to listen to the orders giving to Joshua: The past is dead. Now, arise and go into the new year.

Maybe you are looking into the new year and you see some giants blocking your way. Maybe you are facing new challenges in school or in your job. Maybe you feel God calling you to serve Him in something that you have never done before. Whatever you are facing as this new year begins, remember the promise giving to Joshua in Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."