"another year ... "

Today is my birthday, and as the saying goes: "It's not another year older, it's another year wiser!" Why is that exactly? I am reminded of the words of Solomon: "A lifestyle marked by reverent worship of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 9:10, my translation)

I am also reminded of the words of Solomon's dad: "Lord, teach me to number my days aright" (Ps. 39:4). Life is brief, and only God knows how much so. Join me in living each day and year to its fullest ... in a daily lifestyle of worship!

rest assured

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn’t have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:11-13

The first letter of John is a book of assurance. Do you ever doubt? Do you ever feel weak or fearful? Take time to read 1 John. This little book of only five chapters reminds us that there is victory and life that are found only in our faith in Jesus.

God doesn’t want us to ever be in doubt, but it’s important to know that He doesn’t condemn our doubt when we come to Him to deal with it. We know this because He has provided us with the words above for our assurance in times such as this. No matter how low the valley or dark the shadows may be in this world, there is assurance and eternal life for us in Christ. Take heart, because “you are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).