Month: December 2025

Dream Again!

/ James Penner / 1 Comment

“There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” 1 Kings 18:44

There is a new year at our doorstep. The question we have to ask is, are we going to carry yesterday’s doubts with us into 2026? God always has something new in store for those willing to trust in Him. I’m reminded of the story of Elijah in 1st Kings. There had been a severe drought in the land, but the Lord had instructed Elijah to tell the King not to worry, rain was on the way. God would provide. In the story, Elijah sends a young man to the top of a hill to watch for signs of rain. Six times this young man returned saying it doesn’t look promising. No rain in sight. Yet in each of those six times, Elijah responds, saying,

Go Look Again!

On the seventh try, the young man returns and says, “there is a small cloud rising out of the sea.” Instantly Elijah knew that God had been faithful and that rain was on the way. He was right for a few hours later the skies opened up and the downpour began. How many times have you prayed for a blessing this past year only to believe you had been forgotten by God. Take heart and don’t give up. Pray again and look up. Your breakthrough is on the horizon. God is always faithful. Happy New Year!

Ask!

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“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything through prayer, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

I’ve met so many people who shy away from asking God for anything. Perhaps it’s out of fear that they will be treating God like a “vending machine.” The problem is, failing to bring your needs and hearts desires to God goes against a significant directive that Jesus Himself taught to us. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7,

“Ask And It Shall Be Given Unto You”

Just a few lines later Jesus further clarifies this statement by saying “who among you, if your child asks you for bread would you give him a stone.” It’s crystal clear in black and white that God as your Heavenly Father wants to, and knows how to, give good things when you actually open your mouth and ask Him. Yes, be reverent. Yes, be humble. But also, be bold, believing that God will be faithful to His word. Stop being shy about approaching God, your Heavenly Father, for your needs, for blessings, for healing, for whatever is in your heart. Jesus said ask, which gives you the right to do so. What are you waiting for?

Pure Heart

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“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

Being pure in heart is about sincerity, not perfection.

God Does Not Expect Perfection

What God asks from us is that we strive to be sincere in both our relationship with Him, and with those around us. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that such a desire to be sincere comes with Blessings from God. I pray today that such blessings shower your life in amazing ways.

Look Up!

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I will lift up my eyes to the hills, From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121

You may find yourself spending too much time in life looking down. Looking up means dreaming something new, seeing the splendor around you, or finding hope in a hopeless situation. Looking up means looking into the face of God, for that is where your help comes from.

Looking Up Is Where The Action Is

Look up, it’s time to realize your help comes from the Lord.

Merry Christmas!

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“…and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Seven hundred years before Jesus was born in a manger, there was a prophet named Isaiah who wrote stories of a Savior that would come into this world, and indeed save and redeem mankind. God has an immense capacity for patience. Not that instant gratification is lacking with God, not by any stretch of the imagination for stories of instant miracles abound in the Bible. Yet there is something incredibly faith building about waiting on the Lord.

Our Savior Arrived Just In Time.

Just has He will arrive for you, just in time, for today is that day. Say yes to Jesus and the words Merry Christmas will take on a whole new meaning for you. Think about it, our lifetime may be short in years, but our eternity is forever. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Faith

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“No word from God will ever fail!” Luke 1:37

This powerful statement in Luke contains seven life changing words. I’ve often thought of the faith of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Some have described her faith as awesome or awe inspiring, and others as profound. Yet when I think of the faith of Mary only one word comes to mind, simple. Read further from this passage in Luke 1:28-38: The Angels of the Lord says, “Do not be afraid Mary, you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the son of the most high.” I love Mary’s next response. “I am the lords servant.

May It Be To Me According To Your Word.” 

Mary accepts by simple faith that God has decided upon her as His chosen vessel. How foreign is a response like this in our every day lives? In a world where we question everything. Where every word we read, every statement told to us, every visual image we lay our eyes on is questioned a thousand times over. When God calls us for His purpose what’s your response? Do you answer back with doubt by saying, Why would God chose me? I’m not worthy, God surely made a mistake by calling me on this one. Or will you respond like Mary, “I am the lords servant. May it be to me according to your word!”

Perfect Supply

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“For I am God, your God….I own the cattle on a thousand hills.” Psalm 50

In Psalm 50 God is saying in simple terms that everything belongs to Him. He also loves to bless those who love him. With a simple two minute search I found over 40 bible verses where God says He is our supply. None more powerful than Deuteronomy 28, in which God provides a very long laundry list of blessings He is prepared to supply to those who love Him. God literally says He will, “Open the heavens, and the storehouse of His bounty, to send rain on our land, and bless the work of our hands.”

“God’s Supply For Us Is Endless.”

Look to God for your needs. He is all you need.

Grace

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God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

In second Corinthians, Paul bears his soul. He laments a challenge he’s personally having, one he’s asked God multiple times to remove. We don’t know what that personal flaw is, but it bothers him to the point of praying for its removal. God responds to him by saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in (your) weakness.”

We All Need Grace

We all have flaws. Thankfully, God’s grace is endless.

All Is Calm

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Jesus said, “Peace, be still.” Mark 4:39

The disciples were terrified as the wind and waves were roiling their boat on the sea. In fear they woke up a sleeping Jesus and said to him, “don’t you care that we are perishing?” Jesus responded, “oh you of little faith”. Then said,

“Peace, Be Still”

The wind subsided and the waves became calm. And yet, there were two targets for Jesus words; one was the storm, the second was the fearful disciples. You see, when Jesus says, Peace, be still he’s saying that to us today, just as God said in Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” You have nothing to fear when you put your life in Jesus’s hands.

Greater Love

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“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His (God’s) love for those who fear him.” Psalm 103:11

When I read Psalm 103 I have very little comprehension of the depths of God’s love. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for us? Me? Really? This frail, imperfect being just trying my best to live one day to the next? How can God love someone like me? He knows my past mistakes, he knows the mistakes I have yet to make, and still, He loves?

Yes, He Does.

I’ve heard a recurring theme from so many who do not choose to believe. It really comes down to trust. Why would God possibly care about me, they ask. The simple answer is He does. He sent his son Jesus to the cross to prove it, just to save us, and restore us to Him. 1 John 3:1 says, “Behold what manner of love the father has given unto us that we might be called the children of God.” The truth is, God is love. Trust him.