How do we begin the new year? We have been perfectly positioned to join Jesus in His great plans for 2026

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness!!!” Col 1:13

This is an accomplished fact,

a certainty that we are no longer

the children of the devil,

bound to sin,

controlled by the prince of the power of the air,

but have been freed by the blood of the Lamb!

“…and He BROUGHT us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we HAVE redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:12-14).

What a powerful statement:

“…in whom we have redemption,”

…not “I hope so” but “I know so!”

What a wonder,

what a privilege,

what an astounding,

unbelievable,

too-good-to-be-true outcome you have given us, Heavenly Father.—we are pardoned,

adopted,

brought into the Kingdom

and made co-heirs with Jesus and with the saints.

We live in the light,

are dearly loved,

delighted in,

doted on,

and deeply cared for.

We have a future with you in 2026 as well as a daily walk,

for You give total provision,

complete protection,

loving direction,

wise counsel,

consistent correction,

unswerving goodness

and growing grace.

Help us to rise up to join you in all of what you have for us to do in 2026!

Picture: The wide open way for this year

Christmas brings multiple gifts.

One important one is freedom from

complaining,

grumbling,

negative talk

and thoughts.

In God’s eyes complaining is a serious, destructive and deadly sin:

it attacks faith and trust;

it questions His goodness and wisdom;

it dishonors Him as we reject His gifts.

(James 1:2-4)

That’s why He reacted so strongly to the Israelites’ complaining and grumbling:

“And the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes,

and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned

among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp” (Num. 11:1).

It is also  important to note that my temptation to complain (as described in Monday and Tuesday’s posts)

came after an intense, very full three weeks of successful work and ministry. I was tired and not watchful;

I chose to sin without even realizing it.

I need to remember that after victory often comes significant temptation.

But praise God that He is faithful,

that He brings us back to Himself,

into the light so we can be healed and restored,

strengthened to put on the armor

He has provided so that we can

“take up the shield of faith with which you can quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked one” that

“you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph. 6:11,16).

Prayer: “Lord, help me to keep on the armor of God every day,

and especially to raise the shield of faith by

giving thanks in every circumstance so that you may have more glory. Amen.”

Picture: prepared in submission (freepik.com)

“…give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

An illustration of failure to apply this.

As I went down the ramp to board the first plane on my return trip to Germany from the US, I heard the stewardess announce, “There is no more room in the overhead bins, so the rest of you passengers will have to check your carry-ons.”

I was not happy with that news! My carry-on was packed with personal things, many of which I wanted to use on the trip. Fortunately, most of these were in my backpack in my carry-on. I took it out, surrendered my carry-on case with wheels, and made my way back to my seat, all the while complaining in my heart about this injustice.

This event and my response to it colored darkly the whole rest of the trip. On my transatlantic flight I was able to have 3 seats across so I could lie down to sleep. Instead of being thankful for this, I complained about not having the fourth seat so I could stretch out fully. I was aware that I was not responding correctly, not “letting go, holding on, rising above,” and tried to do so but it was so hard because I was staggering about emotionally, wounded by the fiery darts of the enemy.

Later, in praying about the situation, the Spirit pointed out to me how, at the crucial moment, I had failed to get up the shield of faith: I had chosen to complain instead of praising God for what He was doing in allowing my carry-on to be taken away. In that split second of failing to praise, failing to get up the shield of faith, I got hit with the fiery arrow of self-pity, followed by the arrow of anger.

Part two of this story tomorrow

Picture: shot with the fiery dart of anger and complaining

So, who is this God we love and serve? The God who left Heaven to live in the corrupt and twisted world as a defenseless babe?

You, Lord Jesus  are glorious,

you are strong,

you are full of wonders,

you are pure,

and positive

and powerful.

We ascribe to you

glory and strength,

we proclaim your

greatness to the nations,

we lift up and magnify your marvelous Name.

You are supreme,

you are superb,

you are sovereign.

We come before you now

with an offering of worship,

placing ourselves and

all you have given us on the altar of praise,

for you are worthy of all honor.

This is the God we worship through obedience!

Picture: Jesus, the Light of the world, and the Light of my life.

Thinking more on God’s gifts to  us.

Further up: You yourself, Lord God are the ultimate gift to us,

in your perfection and glory,

your goodness and greatness,

your wisdom and righteousness,

your discipline and justice,

your grace and compassion,

your creativity and faithfulness,

and most of all, your great, wonderful, powerful and endless love.

“Splendor and majesty are before you, strength and glory are in your sanctuary” (Ps. 96:6). You, Lord God, are

clothed in light,

brilliantly shining in your holiness,

unapproachable in purity,

radiating glory all around you.

You, Lord God, are our Triune King, worthy of worship, for you are

awesomely powerful,

faithfully holy,

persistently just,

righteously wrathful,

immensely merciful,

eternally right.

And you have shared all of this with us , all of your revelation in the Word and in your Works. The more we know you, the more we are transformed—another gift, as it says in 2 Cor. 3:18:

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

To bow before you is good, wise and positive; to resist you is utter foolishness, for “no wisdom, no insight, no plan can succeed against the Lord” (Pro. 21:30).

Picture: God’s overwhelming glory.(freepick.com