SEARCHLIGHT
What gives you confidence about your future?
SCRIPTURE
"And God said, 'Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years.'” Genesis 1:14 (NIV)
"God spoke: 'Lights! Come out! Shine in heaven’s sky! Separate day from night. Mark seasons and days and years, lights in heaven’s sky to give light to the earth.' And there it was."Genesis 1:14&15 (THE MESSAGE)
SPOTLIGHT
Do you want to make the grade in the 2020 decade? I am speaking about succeeding. Do you want to reach your goals and do well? You could easily be afraid, swayed, dismayed, or waylaid in the next decade? What can you do so the 2020 decade is tailor-made? Are there things you can do so that you will “fit like a glove” in the next unknown, uncertain 10 years of your life?
Have you realized that in this article, I am trying to use the power of rhyme to help you to see “clear” throughout the year? Rhymes do many things such as helping us to remember and develop a variety of emotional and social skills. Why do you think we teach young children nursery rhymes? They are developing memory which leads to skillful living. The power of rhyme is truly powerful.
So, do you want to see “clear” throughout the year? I am speaking about having 20/20 vision throughout the 2020 decade. Of course, you do. Then learn the following rhyming words so that the next decade will be tailor-made and you will make the grade.
THIS IS YOUR NEW YEAR! Welcome the new year even if you have to really work at it. Last year may have been a disaster but God created the new year when He created time. Reread the above Scripture text. He is in total charge of all time. God made day to be light and night to be dark so that you would know the time. Then He made distinctions with seasons and yes, even years. Your Heavenly Father, Almighty God, created the new year for you to start afresh. Creation means bringing something new into existence. The beginning of every year is a new time and season in your life. God intends for you to consider the new year to be a new beginning in your life, a fresh start so to speak. Always remember the following truths. Never forget them. Write them on paper, put them in your cell phone, and even memorize them.
GOD IS NEAR! Jesus Christ, the living God, said “…I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28:20] God said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” [Hebrews 13:5B] God is as near to you as the breath you breathe and the mention of His name.
GOD ALWAYS HEARS! God will always hear and answer your prayers. Psalm 4:3, 5:3 states, “Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.… In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” God will always give you His undivided attention. He communicates far better than the best internet provider.
GOD TREASURES YOUR TEARS! King Hezekiah was dying. Isaiah 38:2-5 states, “Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: “Go and tell Hezekiah ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life…” There are many insights to be explored in this passage but one that stands out is that God observed Hezekiah’s earnest appeal of faith. Someone penned a song that said, "Tears are a language that God understands!" God promises that when you sow in tears you will reap songs of joy. [Psalm 126:5,6] Weeping may come at night, but joy comes in the morning. [Psalm 30:5] Your prayers can change things. And John wrote in Revelation 7:17 that “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
DO NOT FEAR! Trusting God will keep you from fear. Fear can paralyze you, but God can keep you from paralysis. That is His promise to you. Joshua 1:9 states, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
YOU ARE DEAR! You are near to God’s heart. That makes you dear to God! All of the above statements are true because of how God looks upon you. To all who love God, remember this. In Psalm 136 and 138:2,8 we see that God’s enduring love and faithfulness is mentioned 28 times. You are His most valuable of all creation. [see Matthew 6:25-34] There is an old hymn entitled “Near to the Heart of God.” You can write a new hymn entitled “Dear to the Heart of God.”
You can make the grade in the 2020 decade. Whatever life throws at you, God will make you a victor and not a victim. You can see “clear” for the year. Just remember the Biblical truths that promise you that:
THIS IS YOUR NEW YEAR!
GOD IS NEAR!
GOD ALWAYS HEARS!
GOD TREASURES YOUR TEARS!
DO NOT FEAR!
YOU ARE DEAR!
SOMETHING TO DO
You need to pray and ponder about the next year and even 10 years. What are some things that God would want you to do? Prayerfully and thoughtfully, consider the following:
#1. PAST - Do you need to ask for forgiveness about anything in the past? Do you need to be restored or reconciled? Do you need to forgive, restore, or reconcile?
#2. PRESENT - What steps can you take to become closer to God so that you will discover the wonderful plan He has for your life?
#3. FUTURE – What dreams and desires is God giving you that will bring great glory and honor to Him?
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I want to thank you that You know the future and that You are also in control of it. Thank you that You are going to help me make the grade in this new decade. My life is ordered by You. I have asked that You would lead and guide me so that I may live a life that would bring great honor and glory to You. I thank you that You love me, understand me, and will always be with me. AMEN!