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     Thoughts affect our attitudes (Proverbs 4:23). So, we need to be careful what we think. This winter weather and news of war may keep changing and trying to control our lives right now.

Don’t forget that our attitudes choose whether we come out victorious in these or any situation. I decided to address how I feel about negative situations right NOW! Please, Father, lead and guide us to determine our mental attitudes. Help us look forward to positive things because right now, there are very few positive things on the news!

 Like Paul, we can choose to be a conqueror, to lean on God. Ask for God’s, the Holy Spirit’s, and Jesus’ ability to acquire Godlike attitudes. He can and is willing to bring us through every circumstance and situation that comes our way. God wants us to have a godly lifestyle and a nature like His …that we be not “conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2 NKJ)

We must not copy the behavior and customs of the world, nor join in badmouthing. Instead, we are to let God transform us as we seek Him at this difficult time. We can rest in Him and let Him bring His will into our todays!

As we choose to spend more time communicating with Him in prayer and in reading His word, good things will happen. Good happens as you allow His word to go from your head to your heart. Be a doer of the word!

 If we don’t spend quality time developing our personal relationship with Him, how can we be transformed to His way of thinking? We need to continually renew our minds. Do not dwell on negatives but rest in Him and seek His joy. You will be amazed at how God can promote His Spirit of Faith in your quiet time. Romans 10:10 says “…for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness.”  Remember that “the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”  (James 5:15)

     Ask the Holy Spirit, “What is Your pleasure today? Show us what pleases You, Lord.”  Meditating on and speaking His word builds up your faith and trust in your God! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:13)

It is said that in February, at the end of hibernation, the groundhog determines how much of winter is left by popping out of his hole to learn whether he sees his shadow or not. If he doesn’t see a shadow, the day is cloudy, but the outlook is bright: Spring is coming! If the groundhog sees his shadow, the day is sunny, but there will be 6 more weeks of winter yet to endure. How often do we judge our future outlooks by our current situations?

Over time, when we feel sick, angry, betrayed, hopeless, poor, unsuccessful… we can decide that what we see around us will continue into our future. We often blame ourselves and others for our circumstances. “I am sick; he doesn’t care.” “I am sad; they are inconsiderate.” “I am helpless; she never helps me.” “I am lonely; they don’t invite me.”

Those thoughts, repeated often enough, convince us that nothing will ever get better, we’re on a downhill slide, and others are generally mean or selfish. But in Ephesians 4:31–32 (NLT) Paul writes, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

Like the groundhog, we also can choose a godly perspective. When the groundhog sees a sunny day, he interprets: “Great! I can use this time to prepare for the coming of the Master!” Like the servant entrusted with many talents he prepares and invests them for the master’s return.

When he sees a cloudy day, our groundhog friend interprets: “It looks yucky right now, but good things are coming. God promised!” And God did assure us that we could rely on His promises. Look in any version of the Bible available to you while here, from the NIV, see the evidence:

• Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
• Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…”
• Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothes?”
• Romans 8:28-31 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose… What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
• Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Make your February one in which you look for God’s promises in sunshine or in shadow, my friends!

Another year of pandemic has passed; a new year has begun. These years of pandemic have made us truly conscious of how life is temporary, and death is unavoidable. Yet, in these same two years we have also seen recovery from illness and people returning to health, finding new ways of being together, doing business, being mindful and grateful.

We do not know what God has planned for our lives so perhaps we should live them in a way that keeps us ready for whatever comes our way. But, how?

Jesus commanded us to love each other and care for each other. Here are a few examples of what He wants us to do. These are from the ESV translation, but you can find them in any translation of the Bible you can access:

• Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
• Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
• 1 John 3:17-18 “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but love in deed and in truth.”
• Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone…”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
• Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
• Luke 6:31 “…as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
• Colossians 3:12 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…”

We are to care for our families, friends, communities, and the world. That’s a lot of “do good”-ing! How is anyone to be that good all the time? It’s not a mystery. Resolve to be mindful and grateful for what God has done for us.

Gratefulness comes from knowing we received something of value. For Christians that is Jesus’ salvation. John 3:16 (NIV) reads, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” That’s always the reason to be grateful, to give thanks.

Mindfulness is being aware of how we are thinking and behaving. It’s hard enough to behave; how are we to also think rightly? Jesus said: “…the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.” (John 14:26, NASB) Ask the Holy Spirit for help.

And how will we know if we are being the way Jesus wants us to be? We look at our results, our fruit: “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… against these things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22, ESV)

If, in your thoughts you feel love, joy, and peace, and your actions have been patient, kind, good, and faithful, you are being the way God wants you to be. If you fail sometimes, as we all do, just ask forgiveness from God, and say, “I will do better next time.” God forgives and wants you to learn so you can live a happy life. Caring for each other is the way to happiness.

This year let’s all resolve to care for others in our world the way God cares for us. Remember, Matthew 25:40: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Happy New Year, family, and friends. Let’s make 2022 a year of a caring world. With God’s help that will make all things new!