2021 - A New Day, A New Year

 

Good Morning my fellow sister's in the faith. (and brother's who browse my writings)

2021

We did it! Ha! We made it through the year 2020. I am sure many of us wondered if that would be accomplished at all. But by the grace of God we have been given a new year to accomplish more Kingdom Work. Praise be to God!

In all honesty, 2020 was rough for us. 

• personally
• professionally
• emotionally
• financially

But there were blessings. A stronger marriage, closer family unit, more cherished time together.

God saw us through. He is The Faithful One. So I will not be dismissive of 2020, but I will be thankful for being done with it. 

2021

A new day, a new year. If 2020 taught any of us anything it should be this: 

James 4:15 NASB

"Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”'

I think most of us got away from this scriptural truth. And in fact, James 4:15 will be my verse for the year. We can make our plans, we can make our goals, we can dream. But we need to remember, God is in control. And if we are to live lives submitted to Him, we must keep in mind, "If the Lord wills."

So today, this first day of a new 365 day page year, I will work on our financial goals, my personal goals, outline what I think we need to accomplish this year - but ultimately I am going to trust God to direct our steps.

The joke from many has been that a 2020 planner was a huge waste of everyone's time and money. None the less, I did buy a 2021 planner. I have put a few birthdates and anniversary's down, and I am going to think on a great year ahead. I know changes are coming, things happened in 2020 that will conclude in 2021. But I am not going to not plan just because so much is uncertain.

I will say, my family and friends were reminded this past week:

James 4:14 NASB

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away.

A dear family friend suddenly passed away, and it has been a hard event to process. But in all the tears and tragedy, I have seen something beautiful. I have seen the Church at work, I have seen the Church doing what Christ intended. Where one is able, one has done - and on many fronts. I am so thankful that I have around me, and my family, such an amazing community of believers. 2020 was hard, not one person can deny that. How each individual was impacted is different, but we all have had struggles from last year. And as we move on into 2021, let us heal, let us pray, let us serve, and let us draw closer to Jesus. A sweet friend gave me a beautiful prayer book, that I am already touched by. I want to make my walk with Jesus stronger. I want to make my walk with Him the forefront of my life. 

So, as I leave you for now, think on this. No matter how hard 2020 was, or how uncertain 2021 looks, we can hold onto this truth:

John 3:16 NASB

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life."

The Bible and Politics

I am sharing this for believers who will be voting in the upcoming election.

Christians must vote. Remember, you will be held accountable to God for how/who you vote for.

I have found this resource very beneficial.

Political Platforms and What the Bible Says

Endure

 2020.

Every year 2019 and before, when someone mentioned 2020, it was in in regards to vision.

• Someone has 2020 vision (present tense)
• Hindsight is 202 (looking back).

But it has always been about bringing clarity. Well, almost 8 months done of 12 in 2020 and clarity is the last thing any of us have. 

• Fires - Australia and California
• COVID-19 - GLOBAL PANDEMIC
• Riots and Looting - Global again, mainly in the USA though
• BLM, ANTIFA - terrorist organizations on American soil
• Election 2020 - Biden vs. Trump
• Mask mandates
• Q, Anon, - Conspiracy theorist or truth?
• Hurricanes - Marco and Laura in the Gulf of Mexico at the same time. Laura was a category 4 hurricane, and got close to being a 5.

If 2020 has taught any of us anything, is that we have absolutely zero control over anything. As a Christian, I know this. But I am human, I have flesh, and this flesh has control issues. So this year has been stressful for me.

But, looking back (see what I did there), the last few years have been rough. Specifically the last three years have been hard, on a personal level. Job changes, hardships in my marriage, a miscarriage, fincial uncertainties. 

In my last post, I shared how we were bracing for Hurricane Laura. By the grace of God, we didn't even get a drop of rain. Louisiana on the other hand, devastated completely. The timing of it all, another God thing. Three years ago we braced for and dealt with Hurricane Harvey.  Seeing the memories on Facebook - it felt like the rain would never end, and it gave me a new and greater appreciation for Noah and his family on the ark. Speaking of timing...a pastor I listen to and study is J.D. Farag out of Hawaii. His mid week sermon yesterday was titled: In His Time (Sermon LINK) It's a great one! I highly encourage you to take an hour and listen, process, and take to heart what Pastor Farag has to say.

It was a great reminder that EVERYTHING is in God's time. To be honest, I am over "it". It being the chaos, the riots, the lectures, the shut downs, the mask mandates, the trying to explain to my children everything that is going. Thankfully, I have my faith. And by reading scriptures, listening to sermons, studying God's word - I am at peace that I do not understand everything. What I do know is this.

Matthew 24:13 (KJV)

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Jesus calls believers to endure to the end. To not give up. And what is the end? Death of the physical body, or rapture. And friends, I strongly believe that I will be raptured before this physical body of mine dies. Scripture tells us that we do not know the day or hour in which the trumpet shall sound (Scripture Link). But He did say there would be signs of the coming of the age (Luke 21:25-26). 

Thinking on everything that has occurred in the last three years, I ponder on all that the Church has gone through. The falling aways, the natural disasters, the financial and economic upheavals, the pure evil witnessed on a global level (beheading, child kidnappings, sexual slavery). And I am reminded about the plagues on Egypt from Exodus 7-12. I don't remember when I "found" this out, but I know I did not always know the following:

• 10 plagues
• The first 3, not only impacted the Egyptians, but also the Israelite's.
• The remaining 7 were on the Egyptians alone.

The first three plagues, were as Anne Graham Lotz said in series on Joel, were nuisance plagues. They made life uncomfortable. I just realized, it was 2015 when I started listening to Anne Graham Lotz when I learned this. And she is right. They got the Israelite's attention. The remaining plagues devastated every part of life for the Egyptians. 

Friends, I see the 10 plagues as an Old Testament picture of the Tribulation. Now, hear me out. 

Yes, the Tribulation is 7 years. And I believe each of the plagues that came upon Egypt represents the 7 years of sorrow on the nations that brings Israel back to their God. What about the first 3 plagues/ 3 years? Well, if 2020 is the year that the church is Raptured (I am not date setting - just thinking things out), then the last three years have been getting the attention of the Church. Pastor Farag here recently said he thinks that God is making everything so uncomfortable here on earth that we LOONG for His return in a way like we have never before. Friends, this is me. I love my family, my husband, my children, the life we have. But the world? The chaos? Uncertainty? The riots? Destruction? I am over it and want FAR AWAY from it. So much, that with each new story coming out, I look to Heaven and ask "when Lord?" 

What if the trumpet does not sound in 2020?

Hold tight friends. That means that things are going to get worse here on earth. That is why Jesus told us to endure to the end. He knew it would be hard, but for those of who do endure? Oh sweet reward! To hear:

Matthew 25:22-24 (NASB)

22 “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

There is no great reward for a believer in Christ than to hear our Lord and Savior say those words to us. So lets endure. Let's cling tight to our faith, study the Word, share the Gospel, and give what we are able to the brethen.

I want to end my post with sharing how to be saved if by chance anyone reading this post does not know Jesus.

This is from Pastor J.D. Farag's church website, but it explains saving salvation so well. ABC_Salvation

If you are unsure of your salvation, reach out to a Bible Believing and Teaching church, message me, find someone you know who saved. Do not delay. Remember, we do not know the day or hour, but the rapture will occur in the twinkling of an eye.