We survived 2020 and are blessed to say hello to 2021. We all have been given 365 days to make a difference. To make a difference in our small part of the world. When we hear about “Making A Difference”we tend to think that’s for someone else. We think about Martin Luther King, Jr. or Mother Teresa. But making a difference could be a smile and saying hello to a stranger. Making a difference could be committing to pray for someone. Making a difference could be a phone call to a loved one. Making a difference could be paying for a strangers meal. Making a difference could be volunteering. Making a difference could be checking on your neighbor. Making a difference could be making a commitment to having lunch with a friend once a week or month. Making a difference could be saying no to hate. Making a difference could be saying no to violence. Making a difference could be saying no to road rage. As you can see, making a difference does not have to be some major undertaking. But it will take a commitment to follow through. I pray we will make a commitment to making a difference in 2021. ~OC
My New Year’s Prayer
Dear Jesus, I thank you for another year. Last year was filled with many challenges, but also some amazing moments. Both gave us a chance to grow. As we walk into 2021, here is my prayer for the new year.
Teach us grace, that we may walk in forgiveness, Teach us wonder, that we may walk in praise, Teach us goodness, that we may walk as servants, Teach us truth, that we may walk with courage, Teach us love, that we may walk in compassion, Teach us mercy, that we may walk in humility, Dear Jesus, teach us to walk with You, that we may walk with boldness. Amen. ~OC
Connect: My Word For 2021
Each year God gives me a word for the year. The word God has given me for 2021 is Connect. What word has God given you for 2021?
Connect with Jesus. Connect with family and friends. Connect with strangers. Connect with all those Jesus brings my way. We were created for relationships and connecting with others is vital for living a victorious 2021. Happy New Year! ~OC
Hope
A person can live 40 days without food, three days without water, eight minutes without air, but only one second without Hope.
We all need hope. It’s what keeps us going when we walk through the storms of life. Hope is the encouragement of life. Hope is what gives us the belief that everything will work out. Hope is what gets us through when things did not work out the way we had hoped. Hope is what helps us take that next breath or next step. Sometimes when we fill drained and beaten up, the only thing that gets us through is hope.
Today I encourage you to spread Hope. Call a relative or friend today. Share a kind word with someone today. Send someone an encouraging text message today. What might take you seconds to type, could change the course of that person’s day. Step out of your comfort zone today and be a Hope Dealer. ~OC
God’s Hands
Today’s a new day! God’s hands are often invisible, but they are never inactive. ~OC
Walk in the Holy Spirit
Today’s a new day! When we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, we walk in a more victorious, fruitful life as a follower of Jesus. As we walk in the full power of the Holy Spirit, we will be more aware of the needs around us and how to respond to those needs. So by faith, I pray each of us receive and embrace a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit.
As I continue to learn more about the Holy Spirit, here are some things Jesus has brought to my heart and mind. I pray they will encourage you. Remember, we are all clumps of clay being molded daily by our loving Savior. Sometimes we will miss the mark. Don’t give up! Keep walking out the beautiful journey Jesus has for each of us. ~OC
1). Each day we have to make the choice to live a life of obedience to Jesus. Don’t beat yourself when you lack obedience. It’s a marathon; not a sprint.
2). Throughout the day, remember to ask Jesus to continuously fill you up with the Holy Spirit. Just like we need to fuel our bodies with food, we need to actively fuel our hearts and minds with the Holy Spirit.
3). Keep your eyes on Revival. As we continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit, revival will come.
More Gospel. Less Politics
Today’s a new day! If your pastor is talking about politics more than the gospel, you might need to find a new church. ~OC
My Christmas Prayer
Dear Jesus, I offer this humble prayer as I celebrate your birth. I come to worship with a song of thanks, a song of redemption and love. I pray for joy in my heart, hope in You, love to forgive, peace and unity upon the world. I ask for the salvation of all my family and friends. I pray your beautiful blessings on all people. I pray you would comfort the hungry, broken, homeless, heal the sick, protect all healthcare workers, first responders and those in the military. I pray you bless me with your wisdom. I pray you would continue to fill me with the Holy Spirit. I pray you would give me a servants heart. I pray all this in the matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ~OC
Jesus and Judas
During a time where people are ending friendships because they disagree about politics, I will choose to stay friends.
During a time where people are ending friendships based on different religious beliefs, I will choose to stay friends.
During a time where people are ending friendships based on different skin color and culture, I will choose to stay friends.
During a time where people are ending friendships based on different beliefs about the pandemic, I will choose to stay friends.
During a time where people are ending friendships based on someone’s sexual orientation, I will choose to stay friends.
I could continue giving examples, but I hope you get the point. I do not have to agree or like someone’s opinion or belief system to be their friend. I can just respectfully disagree. I can also have respectful conversations with them. I can continue to pray for them. I can continue to love them.
I often think about Jesus and Judas Iscariot from the Bible. Jesus knew the day he met Judas, that Judas would betray him. The smart thing would have been for Jesus to not even start a friendship with Judas. But what did Jesus do? He invited Judas into his inner circle. Jesus ate with Judas. Jesus engaged Judas in conversation. Jesus prayed for Judas. Jesus washed Judas feet on the night Judas betrayed him. Jesus loved Judas.
People are broken. Friends come with baggage. We can choose to discard those friends we disagree with or we can choose to love them. There is too much hate in this world. So, I will choose to love those I disagree with. Baggage and all. ~OC
