1. A Place of REST!

“13And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Rev 14:13)

2. A Place where we are BLESSED!

“13And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Rev 14:13)

3. A Place with no more TEST!

“13And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Rev 14:13)

Introduction: I need an Attitude Adjustment (AA) sometimes! Do you? Maybe you need one now. Anyway, as we cooperate with our Lord Jesus, He empowers us to make the ADJUSTMENT. One of the best ways to make the AA, is through our mindset. Paul who was led by the Holy Spirit wrote to the Church of Philippi while in prison. Check the list to see if you need an AA.

1. The Battle is fought and won in the Mind!

“8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil 4:8)

Bottom line: If we think on Jesus, here is the result. Choices. Decisions. Think on the Word of God.

2. Solomon pinpointed the problem!

“7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Prov 23:7)

Despite what we are told, we are not what we eat, instead we are what we think.

What thoughts are running through your mind these days?
Thoughts of fear?
Thoughts of joy?
Thoughts of peace?
Thoughts of trouble?
Thoughts of anger?
Thoughts of contentment?

Conclusion: As we think the thoughts of Jesus, we can have the mind of Christ.

“5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 2:5)

We indeed can take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

“3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2Cor 10:3-5)

Introduction: Are you praying for good health in the coming year…mentally, physically, and spiritually? Certainly, this can be a NEW YEAR’S prayer. Is it biblical? John writes in the third epistle these words:

“2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul” (3 John 2)

1. Praying for a Prosperous Year for you! (3 John 2)

The word for “prosper” is εὐοδόω: (yoo-od-o’-o), which means cause to prosper, pass: I have a happy (successful) journey. 

As your Pastor and friend, I’m praying for you to have a “blessed year” prosperous!

2. Praying for your health!

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 2)

The word for “health” is ὑγιαίνω (hoog-ee-ah’-ee-no), which means I am well, am in good health; I am right, reasonable, sound, pure, uncorrupted.

3. Praying for your soul to prosper! (3John 2)

The word for “soul” is ψυχή, ῆς, (psoo-khay), which means breath, the soul as the seat of affections and will, a human person, an individual.

Our will and emotions are a part of the soul. Praying for a healthy soul. 

Conclusion: Will you make this a matter of prayer as well? If so, we will see a blessed new year. 

Introduction: What about God’s GRACE? Isn’t it absolute Amazing? D.L. Moody, the great evangelist, once said, “The CHRISTian life is all of God’s GRACE, from ROOT to FRUIT”! Stop & think about God’s Grace. Stop & THANK Jesus for Him not doing to us what we deserve! Instead THANK Him for His GRACE.

1. God’s GRACE is AMAZING!

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8,9)

Have you trusted in the GRACE of God to forgive your sin?

2. God’s GRACE is AVAILABLE!

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” (Titus 2:11)

According to Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, our Lord makes His GRACE available to all.

3. God’s GRACE is ABOUNDING!

“But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” (Rom 5:20)

Sin pulls us down in a pool of shame and guilt. But God’s GRACE lifts us up out of it!

Conclusion: One last thought. God’s GRACE is SUFFICIENT!

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2Cor 12:9-11)

New GRACE for the New Year!

1. Spiritual WISDOM is needed because it is LACKING in this world!

“5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

2. Spiritual WISDOM is needed because it is LACKING in this world but only comes through the Vehicle of FAITH!

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” (James 1:6)

3. Spiritual WISDOM is needed because it is LACKING in this world but only comes through the vehicle of FAITH from an UNDIVIDED mind & heart!

“For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:7,8)

Introduction: To do exploits this year for the GLORY of our Lord is going to take COURAGE! Do you agree? Are you on the brink of your Jordan River? Do you need to cross over to the other side? What about the enemies? Is there room for failure?

Take COURAGE in (& from, & by) the Lord Jesus!

1. Take COURAGE!

“9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Jos 1:9)

When tasks seem insurmountable, Take COURAGE! Our Lord reminds us to be STRONG in Him!!

2. Take COURAGE because of the UNKNOWN!

“4Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.” (Jos 3:4)

When things seem to be unknown, i.e. future, it can strike uncertainty and instability in our hearts.  It is during those times that Jesus reminds those who are His to take COURAGE. 

3. Take COURAGE and do not be AFRAID!

“….be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:” (Jos 1:9)

The word “dismayed” חָתַת: (khaw-thath’) means to be shattered or dismayed.

Fear is not in Jesus vocabulary.

4. Take COURAGE and do not be AFRAID because our Lord will be with us!

“for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Jos 1:9)

Knowing this great PROMISE should enable every believer in Jesus Christ to take COURAGE.

Conclusion: COURAGE comes from JESUS! He faced DEATH and OVERCAME! Consequently, He imparts to us His Holy Spirit to make us MORE than CONQUERORS. 

So Take COURAGE. 

Introduction: Where are you at right now in your life? Where have you been? Where are you going?

In the second book of the law called Deuteronomy, Moses reminds Israel where they have been, where they are at, and where they are going. Remember, this would have been the younger crowd that did not die wandering in the wilderness because of their unbelief.

1. Look Back at WHERE you’ve been! 

2. Look Out for WHERE you are at!

3. Look Up at WHERE you are going! 

Introduction: How will the year 2022 be? What can we expect? How can we be sure to fulfill God’s will in 2022? Are there key elements to experiencing our purpose for living? Check out this brief devotion that highlights what this Pastor believes will be the key… see if you agree.

1. Look to Jesus!

“1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2)

Where is your focus? Does it need adjusting?

2. Run the Race!

“24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1Cor 9:24-27)

Are you in the race?

3. Overcome Temptation!

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1Cor 10:13)

Where are you being tempted?

4. Intercede in Prayer!

“18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Eph 6:18)

Do you set aside daily prayer time?

5. Fight the Good Fight of Faith!

“12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1Tim 6:12)

Are you getting tired?

6. Watch for Jesus to come again!

“13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)

Keep looking up!

7. Love and Serve Jesus and others!

“37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matt 22:37-39)

Loving Jesus may be easier than loving our neighbor.

Introduction: Do you need some GREAT advice for 2022? Will you listen to Someone who knows the future? While living in a crazy and mixed up world, it is good to know we can have PURPOSE and MEANING in this life. 

1. Walk Cautiously!

2. Use your Time Wisely!

3. Pursue the Will of God Daily!

4. Praise the Lord Joyfully!

5. Get Filled Up Continuously!

Conclusion: One last bit of advice from our Lord. 

“20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” (Eph 5:20) 

Introduction: That title describes 2022! Or does it? Do you have VISION, PASSION, MISSION? A word from the prophet Habakkuk gives these perspectives.

1. What is your VISION?

“2And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” (Hab 2:2)

Habakkuk needed a word from the Lord. May I suggest to you we also need a word from the Lord. Not our agenda, but His! We are notoriously known for conjuring up a man-made VISION, instead of waiting on the Lord to really get in on His VISION. Or worse, not pursuing any VISION, and therefore having a blurred VISION.

2. Do you have PASSION?

“1I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.” (Hab 2:1)

What do we mean by PASSION? Habakkuk had a PASSION to hear from the Lord during a most difficult time. Reminder: We do not snap our fingers and God respond to our every beckoning. Rather, we submit to His Will. Artificial obedience is disobedience. However, since we are His children, He desires to have a relationship with us, not just a casual chat every once in a while.

3. Do you have a MISSION?

“3For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Hab 2:3)

Watching expectantly, writing obediently, and waiting patiently should guide us in 2022.