Renewal/New Beginnings

Elohim. That one hebrew word describes our Heavenly Father as God and as a Mighty Creator. It is used in Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." He is still creating today. Renewing our minds, our hearts, and our hopes. He hasn't given up on us or forsaken us no matter how bad our situation was or is. With Him we are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), we are His children (1 John 2:12), and His mercies are new everyday (Lamentations 3:23). Through this next year His Word promises that He will be with us no matter the situations we face whether good or bad.  '...for You are with me...' (Psalms 23:4).

Blue Letter Bible defines renewal as: 'renovation, complete change for the better'. God has that promise for each and every person who calls on His name (Romans 10:13). Even when we can't see any possible way He is the Mighty Creator, Elohim, who can make a way (Isaiah 43:19). Remember that God's plans are to prosper us and not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11).

Great is our Lord and mighty in power... Psalms 147:5
Read More: Jonah 1-4
Prayer: God our Creator, thank you for never giving up on us and offering us hope through new beginnings.
Action Plan (James 1:22 & James 1:25):
Don't give up! Reach out to Him through prayer and He will reach in.

What Are You Looking For?

Have you heard the expression, "deep calls to deep"? I read that as deep love calls to deep need! In other words, God and His deep love for us calls us to Himself, so that He can meet our deep needs.

What are you looking for, is it hope? Maybe it's guidance, direction, answers, help, purpose, or love? Whatever it is we all have deep needs that can only be fully met in Christ. Sometimes it appears as if these things can be found in other things or even other people. Sometimes we go to things and other people because that seems to be the easiest way to get our needs met. Going to other things and people can become, like the Staples commercial demonstrates, our 'easy buttons'. However, it is only in a relationship with Jesus Christ that whatever we are looking for can truly be found.

God has already sent the answer to whatever it is we are looking for, and it is found in the reality of the Christmas message. God knew our need and out of His great love He sent His only Son. Through a relationship with Jesus we can find everything we might need; hope, guidance, direction, answers, help, purpose and great love! He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us (John 3:16).

Read more:
Luke 2:1-20
Prayer:
Thank You Father for the gift of Your Son. I know that like any other relationship, a relationship with Jesus takes some work. Father, help me to seek Him with all my heart.

Plan of Action:
Set aside time to pray everyday.

Are you suffering?

In Exodus 4:31 we see that God is concerned about every part of our lives and He sees our anguish. My Utmost for His Highest, on May 15th says, "God is the master designer, and He allows adversities into our lives..." (Chambers, O. 1963. My Utmost for His Highest.) He is not just a good designer, but a master designer, so that every adversity has a purpose, Romans 8:28.

When we are suffering and greiving perhaps at times like these God sits with us in silence, like Job's friends did with him in Job 2:11-13. Know that in the middle of your pain God hears and answers prayers. My pastor recently gave a message entitled, "There is no limit to what God can do." During difficult times that can be hard to remember, but through faith know that Jesus has the answers, that He is the answer because He is the Truth, and His ways are right. The devotional book, Streams In the Dessert, on Nov. 9th says, "Seek communion with Christ and you will receive strength...for God has promised, I will strengthen you. Isaiah 41:10" (Cowman, L.B. 1997, Streams In the Dessert.)

Read More:
Exodus 33:14, Psalms 46:1, 2 Cor. 1:3-4
Prayer:
Thank You Lord that You are with me even when I can't percieve it.
Plan of Action (James 1:22 & James 1:25):
Be still in prayer, take heart, and breathe.