Knowing who you are in Christ is the foundation for standing strong in the face of adversity. In your goals for 2022 include the "I Am's" in Christ and walk in them. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT) I AM: Created in His image (Genesis 1:27) God’s masterpiece created with purpose to do great works for the Kingdom (Ephesians 2:10) Fearfully and wonderfully made (

In 2022 determine to make a quality decision to trust God's timing in everything you do. “All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” (Job 14:14b KJV) Waiting requires trust. You have to believe what you’re waiting for is going to happen. God promises an appointed time. The Lord set a [definite] time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.” (Exodus 9:5 AMPC) You are the vessel. The birth takes place in God's timing and in His way.

"Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14 AMPC) As you continue considering and fine-tuning goals for 2022 remember to include how you process life’s challenges. You cannot go to just anyone for insight and direction. Who you are connected to can either catapult you into your destiny or derail you. Godly connections are critical. "Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not

FOCUS! Just say that every time you're asked to start something, be a part of something: FOCUS! Then ask yourself: Is necessary? Is it beneficial? Will it help me accomplish what God is calling me to do? Remember it can be a good thing but if it's not a God thing you don't need to be involved! Good things can become distractions from God things. Then distractions can become detours from God things. One of the best things you can do is to set boundaries so you're focuse

I was asked a very good question a couple of years ago about friends that’s worth revisiting: Have you ever found that you have friends in your life, but realize that you have outgrown them? If so, how did you deal with that? Maybe you’ve had this question also. As you’re looking at 2022 and making goals, know that your relationships are important. I talked about this in my last two posts on Divine Connections. I hope this answer helps you. When common interests change the re

I know I touched on personal relationships, divine connections yesterday. This topic is so important I want to visit it again today. As you continue setting 2022 goals continue to examine your connections. Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (I Corinthians 15:33 AMPC) "It is God's pleasure to connect you with people who can take you deeper in your relationship with Him, and as a result, push you further toward your destiny." (Dr. Cindy Trimm - Reclaim Your

As you continue setting goals for 2022 take a moment to consider personal relationships because who you are connected to matters. Both Psalm 1 and Psalm 27 give clear instructions on how the righteous are to live, who they are to associate with, and what they can expect from God when they choose His way. They remind you that you must choose who you go to for wisdom, insight, and advice. How can an unbeliever give insight or wisdom to a believer when they don’t have common gro

“And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21 AMPC) You are 11 days into the New Year. How are you doing on setting your goals? As you listen to God's voice in creating your goals remember God's love for us. Let 2022 be the year that you never forget just how much God loves you: “May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Chri

"I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (Jeremiah 29:10b-11 MSG) Would you get in your car to drive to another state that you have never been to before without a map, GPS, or written directions? Would you waste your time and your gas driving aimlessly? Would you ever get where you wanted to go when you began

As you consider resolutions, changes you would like to make, make them anchored in the Word. Doing this will greatly increase your chance for success while impacting others. Remember, it's not just about you! You are here for a purpose so walk in it boldly! “But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall

Consider some resolutions, changes that are anchored in the Word. This will not only impact you, but it will then impact everyone you come in contact with. You must change your perspective! In 2022 keep your eyes on the eternal and not the temporary: “So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.” (II

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]." (II Corinthians 5:17 AMPC) And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell yo

In 2022 let’s let go of the old and embrace the new. “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” (Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG) God specializes in new beginnings. Sometimes He has to remove the familiar so He can do the spectacular! Let’s allow God to make a new beginning in our lives in 2022:

Since we usually begin a New Year evaluating and setting goals, let's consider how we can deepen our intimacy with God during this year. Let’s determine that 2022 will be the year that we take loving God to the next level: “Hear, O (YOUR NAME)! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one [the only God]! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being]. These words, which I am commanding you today, sha

I've designated January as, "Pursuit of Wisdom Month!" In addition to actively participating in a 31 Days of Wisdom Challenge, I'm reading two devotionals on Proverbs, doing The Wisdom of Proverbs on YouVersion, by the Bible Project, and reading through the Bible with the Bible Project! I'm immersing myself in God's wisdom and I'm so excited! Day 1 of the challenge was great! So many gems. While a lot resonated with me what really got my attention was Dr. Simmons saying he w

As we approach 2022 this is something we should all prayerfully consider: When you remain in the past you will miss what God is doing in your present and you won't be prepared for your future! "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands." (Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG) I want to be alert and p

"Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death." (Romans 8:1-2 AMPC) Don't accept condemnation from anyone, if you are in Christ Jesus. Jesus paid the price for our salvation and that gives

I shared this thought on my social media accounts recently: "Sometimes we may be stuck where we are, no movement, because God can't trust us with the next step. Something to consider." After a comment I received I felt it needed a little more insight, so, here are some further thoughts on this: Sometimes God has more to show us right where we are! Sometimes He's preparing us for the next step. And sometimes He's preparing the next step for us. Everyone isn't always ready to r

And this is exactly what dilutes a believers witness, when our actions don't match our words! Let's speak with our actions and follow that up with words. Let people see Jesus in you before they hear you. Don't talk it. Walk it! How do we do that? Glad you asked. Love! "I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if

"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." (Romans 8:28 AMPC) God is not in heaven calling a 911 emergency meeting with Jesus, Holy Spirit, and the angels saying, "oh my, how did this or that happen?" Nothing happens to us that He has not allowed. While He doesn't cause life's challenges and disappointment