A good beginning of this new year is to remind ourselves of a foundational Truth expressed ins 3 verses.:

Every day we face the a future, but this week we are also facing a New Year, stretched out like a blank slate before us. What will happen? Will it be good, difficult, distressing? No clue!

What we do know is that we have a future with you, Lord,  as well as a daily walk with you now.

You give total provision,

needed protection,

loving direction,

wise counsel,

consistent correction,

unswerving goodness

and growing grace.

How wonderful it is to face the future

knowing the Great Shepherd of souls,

the Wise Warrior of prayer,

the Powerful Planner of good,

the Diligent Director of details,

the Lasting Lover of sinners,

the Triumphant Transformer of rebels,

the Final Forgiver of our sins,

the Great Giver of grace—what more could we want?!!!

You are far beyond what we could think or ask for.

You are far more than a human being could conceive. You are

more than wonderful,

more than great,

more than good,

more than imagine.

To you, Lord God, all creatures must come and bow down in worship and adoration. To you every person must fall on his face and give you glory. To you every believer must surrender and rejoice in your perfection by denying self, taking up his cross and following you. Help us to do this well in 2026!

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.