Is There Anything I Can Boast About?

The year 2009 is swiftly coming to an end. Many of us ask the question “where did the year go?” We then proceed to reflect and examine our lives throughout the year and make assumptions that we’re able to salvage some good out of the year based upon our own ability or means.

We look at our lives and we say, “At least I have my health, if I don’t have anything else”. But can we really say that? We can’t boast in our prosperity of health because life existed only because God allowed it to be. (Prov. 3:7-8)

Some of us look at our jobs and say, “Well, my skills and education allowed me to have a job at the end of the year even in the midst of a recession.” Not. Your skills and education have nothing to do with you remaining employed. God gave you the skills and He showed favor for you in the sight of man. (James l:l7)

“When I look at my family and the children I birthed, I am ending my year with memories.” True. Memories are always extremely good to have in our lifetime, both good and bad. However, we would not have these memories if God didn’t give us the seeds to procreate and bring forth life. Such memories would not exist without this act of nature. (Deut. 30:9; Ps. l27:5)

“Alright, what do I say to all that I possess by way of purpose and ministry?” Everything that we own comes from God. We don’t own anything. We are just stewards over what we are enjoying on this earth.
(Ps. 24: 1)

So my friend, in a nutshell, we can’t boast about health, family, marriage, purpose, jobs, talents or even ministry. Everything we take pride in, God allowed it!

But there is one thing that our Heavenly Father has allowed us to boast in--our salvation.

“May it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Through which the world has been crucified
To me, and I to the world” – Galatians 6:14 NASB

So during this holiday season, when you are sitting around making memories with loved ones, boast in the right things. Teach others about what is truly important in life. (Deut. 6:4-9)

Make mention of not only how God sent His son into the world, but the life of salvation and purpose that His son allows us to end each year.

Enjoy the rest of your moments this year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Never Can Say Goodbye Immortalized

”Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid of hold of it yet; but one thing I do forgetting what lies behind and reaching towards what lies ahead” Phil. 3:13
In August of 2009, one musical icon known as Michael Jackson was immortalized. This surprising event shook the music industry, as well as our nation who grew up singing the words to this favorite song “Never can say good‐bye.” As I watched loved ones, family and friends say good‐bye to their icon the feelings displayed were remorseful and devastating to see. Saying good‐bye to loved ones is never easy, no matter how hard you work to put the words in the right place. Have you ever thought that is the same way it is when it comes to saying good‐bye to old ways of thinking or habits? You stand in the mirror mimicking the words, “it’s time to say good‐bye to this.” That “this” is whatever keeps us trapped in our yesterday. But as soon as you walk away, you begin rationalizing how it may not be necessary to say good‐bye totally. Paul, must have felt this emotion when he said, “I do not regard myself as laying hold of it YET.” In other words, I may not have all the right words or emotions right now or at this moment... BUT, I must come to the place in my life where I must say good‐bye to things that keep me paralyzed in my past. As hard as it may seem, I must disconnect so that I can lay hold to what is before me. Even our loved ones who we have had to say good‐bye to would want us to disengage from our disappointed, hurtful emotions so that we can lay hold of our tomorrows and share the rest of their story with others. There may have been some traumatic situations or relationships that have attached themselves to your life but get the nerve to say good‐bye to the emotional damage it has done, so that it will no longer stagnate your life’s journey and dreams. Today, make a decision to let it go out of one hand and with the same energy and moment take the other hand to reach toward your future.