Let’s Sing a Brand New Song

The old familiar Christmas carols are still echoing in my heart, but I know something new is on its way. Psalm 96:1 says “Sing to the Lord a new song.” That new song is made possible by the Incarnation of Jesus. A new song to the One Who became God in the flesh and Who makes all things new. A new song that revels in the Father’s love for us. A new song that makes our hearts leap with joy at the promise of the good news!

A new day -- a new year is almost here! We can start singing a new song and close the door to the old “My Love done me wrong” songs and the "Woe is me" songs. Our LOVE for God and His LOVE for us puts a new song of joy, hope, and peace in our hearts. It's an "Everything's gonna be alright" song!

What if we were given a gift on January 1st and the Giver said – “What you do today – how you love, how you express gratitude and hope and express joy in the middle of your circumstances, will set the tone for 2020. TODAY sets the precedent for a year of singing joy-filled, faith-filled, and overcoming-filled songs – but not just songs – living lives of each day being set for victory,”

I'm already practicing for 2020 today. I'm singing a new song, flowing from the relationship I have with God. You can sing a new song, too! Let’s join the angels in singing “Glory to God in the highest,” because we see signs of His glory everywhere we go (Luke 2:14). Let’s imitate Mary as we sing and magnify the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior. Let’s sing of the joy of knowing we have been redeemed by a loving God. Let’s sing even when we make mistakes because forgiveness and grace awaits us.

But let's not sing just because God has made us happy. Let's sing because it makes Him happy too! Sing a song that proclaims the wonders He has done. Sing a song that declares who you know Him to be. Our Father rejoices when we praise Him, not because He craves our attention, but because He knows how praise lifts our spirit, strengthens us against temptation, and fills us with a desire to share His good news.

And if you don’t like to sing, speaking it out is just as good. And here's another way to ensure 2020 looks different from any other year. Start spending time with God, and right now is a good time to start. A new start is in itself a new song.

“Lord, put a new song in my heart today. Stir your Spirit in me, and teach me to sing to you!”

Have You Made a Pledge for Purity?

Day 57 of Photo Inspirations -- Have You Made a Pledge for Purity?
Yesterday, out of the blue, I started looking at old Staci Michaels Ministries  "Above & Beyond" newsletters that we sent out monthly, 20 years ago in 1995.  I was reminded about the Pledge for Purity Program that she created and taught back then -- and led many young people to living a life of purity -- not just sexually, but in a lifestyle commitment of character, integrity, prayer life, devotion and pure relationships before God.  Recalling how passionate she was, I was reminded of how our culture has continued to lower its standards over the years, even to the point that living a life of purity "is just weird -- just not normal".  To say that "it doesn't matter", is saying "my marriage, my friendships and my relationship with God doesn't matter either".  Staci was teaching the Pledge for Purity Program before she and Larry met and they proved it was possible to live a life of purity.  In fact, they never kissed until their wedding day, and their beautiful marriage, today, continues to be a role model for others. They are leading by example.  They are STILL out their Pledge for Purity And, it really is proof of the scripture that she based the title of her newsletter from "And God will do exceeding abundantly ABOVE AND BEYOND, all you can ask or think, according to the power that works within you". Ephesians 3:20

As an absolute nudge from God to post this today, AFTER I had her newsletters laid out on my desk, a neighbor called.  She said, "I didn't realize you were Staci Michaels' Mom, until I saw your post about her being Mrs. North Carolina."  She went on to tell me about coming to Staci's Bible Study and bringing her niece with her. Her niece went through, and graduated from, the Pledge for Purity Program. And her niece kept that pledge in her heart until she later married. That conversation led me to go check out her niece's FB page.  When I did, I saw who her "besties" are, still today -- other graduates from the Pledge for Purity Program.

In a world of lowering standards to accommodate the "new way of thinking", it is such a joy to see how blessed we are when we realize how much God wants to use us and flow through us, and the most effective way to do that is to remember to strive to live a life of purity -- in every area of our lives.  "The Purer the Vessel the Greater the Flow". That's a line that Staci coined and I still pray that I am that vessel.  He wants to pour Himself through us and as we strive to live a life of purity in word, thought and deed.....the more He'll be able to do just that!  And, a final word....if your vessel is a little clogged with "stuff" -- it's okay. We can start fresh and new today.  God promises He'll make ALL THINGS NEW.  So why not YOU?  Why not TODAY?
#PledgeForPurity #AboveAndBeyond