The One Who Makes Everything New

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5 (NKJV)

I love the beginning of a new year. It is a fresh start. A chance to begin again and accomplish things missed out on in the past year, as well as count up victories over the past year. “Newness” has an awesome sound to it, bringing excitement and hope for better things and better days ahead.

Change used to cause me concern, as change often meant something worse, like a worsening of my health, or dealing with bigger, harsher challenges. But without change we can become stagnant. Moving water stays clear and pure, but pools of water without any new water springing up refreshing it often becomes useless.

We need new water refreshing and feeding our spirit. We need new challenges and opportunities to bring out the best in us, to test and strengthen us.

We can get so weighed down by the troubles and cares of the past year that we lose our enthusiasm for the future. Yet if we open our hearts to the promise of better days ahead with new challenges and opportunities we can enter the new year with excitement instead of dread, with hope instead of discouragement.

This new year will bring you new opportunities. Embrace them, accept the challenge, and see what the Lord can do through you and your life. Break out of the rut and allow the Lord to make you new and fresh as He brings new things your way, and allows you to grow up into His likeness. Greater days are ahead, allow the Lord to guide you into this new year with excitement and hope.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we both lick our wounds and count our victories from the past year. Help us to embrace the new year and the opportunities it brings our way. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2017

Escape Is Not A Bad Word

So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest. Psalm 55:6 (NKJV)

The Christian author of The Lord of the Rings books said:

“Why should a man be scorned if, finding himself in prison, he tries to get out and go home? Or if he cannot do so, he thinks and talks about other topics than jailers and prison-walls?”

---J.R.R. Tolkien

We often think of "escape" as a bad word. And it can be in circumstances where one is continually trying to deny reality. But like the Psalmist, we too find ourselves wanting to escape from our trying circumstances, especially those of us who are ill and constantly facing pain and suffering.

In fact we do have an escape, we can escape into the arms of our Lord, finding comfort in His Spirit and presence in our lives.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:16 (KJV)

Born again children of God have the presence of Christ within us through the Holy Spirit. We can essentially escape within ourselves, finding comfort from within by the Lord’s abiding presence. We find comfort and peace, a respite from the cares of this world, as we look up to God and feel within us the Comforter who aids us and abides with us through our difficulties.

We walk by faith and look beyond our trying circumstances to something bigger, something better, something that both takes us outside of ourselves and deep within the core of our being to where Christ dwells inside of us.

You are never alone my brothers and sisters. Our lives may bring pain and suffering upon us, but we have all we need within us to not only survive, but abide in the Lord’s presence. We can call upon His strength to lift us up and beyond the cares and weight of this world, because are free, not slaves to this world. And everything this world throws at us is no match for the God who stands up for us, and abides in us through His powerful and precious Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Lord, when are tempted to become overwhelmed by this world, help us to look up to You. Help us to find strength within as Your presence gives us power and hope to overcome this present evil world. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016

He Makes Something Out Of Nothing

“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV)

The Latin words Ex nihilo means: out of nothing.

God takes our “nothing” and turns it into “something”. Without the Lord our lives would be useless and fruitless. God can take broken, beaten, abused, hopeless people and make them vessels for His honor. The difference is God.

There are many people in this world who feel hopeless and useless. Our lives pass quickly, and are often filled with suffering and pain. It is no wonder that so many people give up on life, turn to drugs, alcohol, anything that they can lose themselves in. And without the Lord, it is easy to understand their hopeless state.

Yet the Lord welcomes all who call upon His Name. Anyone who reaches out to God will find Him, and find help in time of need. He can take our “nothing” lives and makes them useful and fills our lives not only with hope, but also joy. Without Him we can do nothing, but with Him all things are possible!

Believer, God brought you into this world for a purpose. Find your purpose in Him, allow Him to direct your life and use you to help and uplift others. And if you are an unbeliever, don’t you think it is time to give yourself to God and allow Him to do something amazing with your life?

Prayer: Dear Lord, without You we can do nothing, but with You we can do so much, accomplish so many things for Your kingdom. Make something out of our nothing, Lord we pray. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016

Have You Cast Your Bread Upon The Water?

Cast your bread upon the waters,
For you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 (NKJV)

Years ago when I first became ill there came a point where I could no longer work and had no income for a period of time. A wonderful couple from our church helped us financially. Not long afterward, they moved a few states away and we rarely saw them. One Sunday morning, just before I awoke to ready myself for church, God sent me a dream revealing that wonderful couple would be at our church and that I should give them some money. I did not doubt the dream as God has revealed things to me in dreams before. So I got up and told my wife to put some money in an envelope. Sure enough, after not seeing them for ages, that kind couple was at church and I gave them the envelop with money in it.

We have an amazing God. You cannot out-give Him. You cannot do any good thing and expect God will forget it. You reap what you sow. If you bless others, you can be sure God is going to bless you right back.

You may not have much money, but there are all sorts of ways to help and bless others. Visit someone who is sick, or in jail or prison. Encourage someone who is downcast. Offer help or a kind act to a stranger. Give a few minutes of your time, offer a listening ear to the cares of another. We are only limited in the ways we help others by our imaginations. And if you are well off financially, find someone truly in need and offer them aid.

A generous, giving spirit should be a hallmark of Christianity. Our lives should show a long trail of charitable acts and habits. Even those of us who have serious health issues and challenges from afflictions, we can find ways to encourage and bless others.

Consider the times others have gone out of their way to help you, and how blessed it made you feel. Look for ways to be that kind of person to another. Even small acts of generosity can mean so much to someone suffering and in pain.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You have given us so much and blessed us in so many ways. Help us to be a blessing to others as You use us aid them. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016