FROM THE KEYBOARD

"My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you....If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the wisdom of God" (Proverbs 2). The world will fool you into chasing its gold. And once you get it, you realize the chase only led you to fools gold. Conversely, the only treasure we should ever pursue is the pure gold of God's Word. You see, He won't force you or fool you into it, but He will make you wise when you willingly get into it.

God's behavior towards us needs to be the measure of our behavior towards others. Gracious and merciful. Compassionate and passionate. Therefore, as believers, the mercy we show should be in direct proportion to the mercy we know. "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12).

"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" (Philippians 4:11). To be content isn’t about settling for your circumstances, but it is about being satisfied with God in spite of your circumstances. You see, contentment is not about what you have or don't have, but realizing and recognizing that God has you.

You are the only one who can change your mind and God is the only one who can change your heart. But if you don't change your mind, God can't change your heart. Therefore, make up your mind to give the Lord your heart--"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10).

The language of praising cannot replace our "native" language of complaining without spending time in the Word of transformation. You see, we are naturally bent to complain because of our sinful flesh. But when we learn the language of the Bible, our tongue experiences a verbal revival. And this may seem foreign to a world in ruin, but a tongue filled with blessings needs to be the believers primary language. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:21).

As you enter this new year, remember that the greatest resource one can possess is to have Christ as the sole source of their strength. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). You see, this isn't an "I can so I will" mentality, but rather, "I can according to God's will" reality.