A New Year’s Perspective: Regardless of what you have been through, remember you cannot change the past but the choices you make each day defines your future.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.”
(Hebrews 11:1 NET)

Keep your Vision of Hope! Fix your eyes on the Lord, the author and finisher of your faith.
(Hebrews 12:2)

It’s crazy how I sometimes get spiritual messages while in the middle of just doing life and a gym workout: Work Hard (remain diligent. steadfast, and consistent); Don’t Stop (don’t quit or give up); Dream Bigger (deeper in consecration and higher in expectation in the Lord).

We have all experienced a plethora of emotions with the national and global happenings that have impacted us all personally. We have seen more devastating earthquakes, tsunamis, out of control fires, tornadoes, and floods; add to that economic uncertainties and political unrest in many places. It can be a bit overwhelming and, for some, a burden too much to bear.

Yet, in the midst of the challenges, we are constantly reminded of the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord. I am reminded that God has a greater plan and purpose for each of us. When Solomon was dedicating the magnificent temple, he prayed to the Lord and said, “Let Your Word come true.” Jesus, told His disciples to pray, “…Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

May we be reminded as we leave the past and move to the future that God is faithful and that His Word would come true over you and your family; in other words, that His promises and purposes for you would come true and His Kingdom come in your life, your family, and for us corporately.

It’s amazing how much better we can see when we take a moment to pause, take a deep breath, pull aside, and get our focus. There are far too many external stresses and spiritual noise pollutants that can become distractions from our destinations. The world around us gets clouded at times. We need spiritual clarity and Holy Spirit headlights to get us through the fog.

This coming year, may we all restore the Altar of Worship and find the Whoa, the Wow, and the Get Up & Go of God. In His Presence we get refreshed, re-focused, and re-fired.

When trials or challenges come our way, remember that God has not forgotten you and that His Word is True…in your life as it is in heaven.