Are You Ready to Live and Move with God?

Are you ready to live and move with God?

Because when God’s people trust in God during good and hard seasons, it means we live and move with Him.

So whatever comes our way, I pray we remember:

In him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28b (ESV)

(1)  Live in God.

In Acts 17, the Apostle Paul visits Athens.

Teaching in the synagogue, he describes the city as full of idol worship. He “found an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god’” (Verse 23 ESV).

Next, Paul proclaims the known God in verses 24-25.

• God made the world, heavens, and everything in it.
• He does not dwell in temples made by man.
• The Lord is not served by human hands as needing what we have to offer Him.
• God gives life, breath, and everything.

Live means to reside in, have one’s home in, set up residence, be settled in; be housed in, lodge in; inhabit, occupy.

Reflections on Living: 

1. Are we letting those in the community where we live see our faith in a known God? And do other see how our life resides in the living God who gives us everything?
2. Do we show others how we inhabit a spiritual life in the promise of heaven? Do we live in such a way others see the known God in us and see us as His temple and God’s altar?

(2)  Move with God.

25 Focus Areas for Believers in 2025

Embarking on a brand new year often brings mixed thoughts and emotions. Because “brand-new” conjures up all kinds of hopes and dreams. 

But how do God’s people steer our focus? What focus areas would please the Lord?

So here are 25 focus areas I want to share with you.

Brand-new Focus Areas

(1.) Beginnings. “The point in time or space at which something starts.”(Google) The world, life, time and space all started with God. Give Him the new year and your new beginnings.

(2.) Forge new paths. Whether careers, direction, vision, mission, or ministry, remember who makes new paths. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)

(3.) Dreams. Dream big ole’ ginormous things only God can pull off. He’s the biggest dreamer of all. Dream with God, you and Him dream best together. 

(4.) Do-overs. Sometimes we get to do something over, other times it’s impossible. But every new year, month, week, and day presents opportunities to change our actions, reactions, perspective, words, and outlook.

(5.) Second chances. Everyone hopes for a second chance after forgetting something, messing up, or hurting someone. Not only expecting them from others, but also giving them to others. Because we serve a God of second chances and countless chances. 

(6.) Wholeness. We were made for wholeness, but we learned brokenness. Jesus makes us whole. “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV)

Living Life Focused

Personalize and Pray Scriptures for the New Year

Many of you know how I love to personalize and pray scriptures over myself, and over my family and friends. And I encourage other believers to do the same.

Because it’s so powerful when we pray specifc Bible verses back to God. In fact, I firmly believe this led to my atheist Father accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. I faithfully prayed salvation scriptures with his name for 16 years.

Also, this practice acquaints us with the Scripture and aids in its memorization.

So let’s look at Bible verses I chose to use for the new year. Remember your name or other names go in the blanks.

(1.) Personalize and Pray for God’s Love and Fullness

Lord, “May ________ have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that ________ may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 5:18-19 ESV)

(2.) Remind Our Hearts How We are New

Father, remind ________ “that in Christ, ________ is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (Or, “Remind me that in Christ, I am a new creation.”) (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

(3.) Personalize and Pray for Hope in the New Year

“May the God of hope fill _______ with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit _______ may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13 ESV) Thank you, God. Real hope is only found in You.

(4.) Pray to Trust the Lord With all Our Heart

Lord, I pray that ________ will “Trust in the Lord with all _______ (her, his) heart and lean not on ______ (her/His) own understanding; (but) in all _______ ways submit to (You), and (You) will make _______ paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

Jesus Christ Exists: Never Explained Away

Jesus Christ exists, never explained away.

When we celebrate Christmas, the reason for the season, it reminds me of my faith in Christ.

Even when others deny who Jesus is and why He came to earth, I stand firm in knowing Him as Savior and Lord.

And even when culture continues to commercialize Christmas and only say, “Happy Holidays!”, I know my Jesus is the light of the world.

So let’s look at what the Bible says.

Alpha and Omega

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 (ESV)

Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end. Part of the triune God, Jesus participated in the creation of the world as seen in the book of Genesis. And Jesus one day returns for the new heaven and earth.

Because Jesus Christ exists.

Jesus Christ Exists: Lord and Savior

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (ESV)

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” 1 John 4:14 (ESV)

The birth of Jesus unveiled the Savior to the world. The One promised to rescue us from sin, other gods, the enemy, and even ourselves.

Lamb of God

Joy to the World: Paint the Town Red for Christmas

Do you know how to paint the town red?

Born the first day of December, I enjoy celebrating my birthday (along with my twin sister) in the same month as Christmas.

And every year my special day proves fun-filled and momentous.

Joy marks the occasion. So we paint the town red.

My family usually takes me out to eat, then we head home to blow out candles, enjoy cake, and open gifts.

But where did the expression “Let’s paint the town red!” originate?

And how exactly does one go about it?

Paint the Town Red

I found a plethora of answers for painting the town red. Here are a few:

• From Google, “go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly.” Synonyms: “celebrate, have a party, live it up, have a ball.”
• “Go on a drinking bout; get drunk. Some believe it refers to setting something on fire” (The Free Dictionary).
• Violence. Dating back to the 1800’s, an article in The Phrase Finder, “The allusion is to the kind of unruly behavior that results in much blood being spilt.”

How sad the association to drunkenness and violence.

Still, there’s no unruly behavior going on when my family celebrates. For my birthday, keep in mind the glitter and sparkle of painting the town red.

The Red Blood of the Lamb

Yet, a powerful Bible story describes “much blood spilt” to paint the town red. In Exodus 12, the Israelites put blood from a lamb without blemish on two doorposts and the panel above the door of each house. The Lord’s Passover.

My Grown-Up Christmas List For Jesus

Have you ever made a grown-up Christmas list? One of those wish-lists since you started adulting of what you really need in life—what matters most.

What if we made a grown-up Christmas list for Jesus?

A list to reflect on our Christian life and make an intentional plan of action to grow spiritually.

Even the Bible says, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18a (ESV)

And what better way to go into the season than to focus on the Christ of CHRISTmas.

So I decided to make a grown-up Christmas list for the Lord with three main areas.

(1.) Desire the mind of Christ: Christmas List.

But how do we go about seeking the mind of Christ? The Bible tells us: set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2); do not transform to the world, but transform by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2); and to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

More biblical wisdom gives us further insight:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

What we think about and set our minds on, is of utmost importance. If affects every aspect of our life. Do we desire to have the mind of Christ?

Goodness and Mercy Follow Me

I’m being followed. These two beings will not stop following me. They know the schedule I keep and the path I travel. This is an intentional pursuit from daybreak to nightfall and around the clock. After an investigation, I’ve identified them:

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” Psalm 23:6, ESV.

Goodness described by dictionary.com, “the best part of anything.” Wow! God is the best part of any-thing…the best part of life…the best part of me. 

Goodness is following me.

God’s Goodness

I don’t have to be good enough for God to love me. Out of His goodness, He loves. Since the beginning of time, God weaved goodness throughout the chapters of history—His-story.

The goodness story started with creation. Countless times in Scripture, God’s goodness rescues His people. Bethlehem’s stable revealed God’s goodness with the birth of a Savior. Goodness narrated Jesus’ ministry. Goodness showed up at the foot of a bloody cross. And goodness becomes victor in an empty tomb.

Throughout the ages the storyline echoes God’s heart. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16, ESV. 

God’s Mercy

Mercy translated in other versions of Psalm 23:6 include “love” or “steadfast love.” Mercy’s the compassion, love, and kindness of God bringing His forgiveness to mankind. 

Keeping God in Thanksgiving

Is keeping God in Thanksgiving possible?

And what if thanksgiving is a vital part of the Christian life all year long?

The holiday stirs up thoughts of pilgrims, turkey, and pumpkin pie.

Look at this fourth grader’s report on the first Thanksgiving when the classroom teacher requested students make no reference to God.

The pilgrims came here seeking freedom of you know what. When they landed, they gave thanks to you know who. Because of them, we can worship each Sunday you know where. (Source unknown.)

How about us? Do we make reference to God in Thanksgiving and our thankfulness? And no matter how we have to say it, like in the fourth grader’s report, we do say it, and we carry thankfulness in our heart.

Often, a sigh of relief is spoken with “Thank God!” Maybe we received good news from a medical report or found out our loved one wasn’t hurt in an accident. Wonderful things to be thankful for.

It’s not just a relief that something turned out good in the end. But thanking God, that in the end, we understand all good things come from Him.

Real Thanksgiving

Yet, thanksgiving—real thanksgiving in our heart—overflows in gratitude more than one day a year. Instead, continual thankfulness defines our lives and our character.

So we remind ourselves to give thanks for and to our great God. Because He’s a good, good Father who’s given us many blessings and gifts.

God Almighty is reason enough to give thanks and live thankful.

But what does living thankful look like? How do we go about it? 

Perhaps in part like this acrostic.

Keeping God in T-H-A-N-K-S-G-I-V-I-N-G: 

God’s Still in Control: 22 Undeniable Truths

No matter what goes on around us, God is still in control and on His throne. Because the chaos surrounding the world or our world often stems from the absence of truth. God is Truth and His Word is Truth. Undeniable truths about our God define our Christian journey.

When it comes to what the world says versus God’s Word, I’m going with God every time.

Why? Because truth is not up for debate. God’s holy Word wins hands down.

Embracing what we know is true about God strengthens our heart, gives understanding and peace to our minds, and keeps us focused on spiritual things. 

So let’s look 22 of these truths.

God’s Still in Control: Undeniable Truths

(1.) The One true God. Oh, there are other gods. But there’s no other god like our God. “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” (Isaiah 46:9b)

(2.) Living. Jeremiah compares man-made idols to the living God. “But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God.” (Jeremiah 10:10) How sad and foolish when we bow to idols without breath. Or, believe in gods who are dead.

(3.) Creator. Genesis 1:1 tells us in the beginning God created…. God existed first. Then He created everything else, all of creation, and humans in His image. 

(4.) Holy. The Blue Letter Bible shares, “God is holy means there is no trace of evil in his character. Only God is holy.” Further, “There is no one holy like the LORD.” (1 Samuel 2:2a)

(5.) Sovereign. God rules as the supreme authority, doing what pleases Him (Psalm 115:3), His kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19). 

(6.) In control. “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27)

(7.) Majestic. “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:9)

(8.) Almighty. “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” (Revelation 1:8)

God’s a Good Father Who Works for Our Good

We believe God’s a good Father who works all things for our good, until we don’t.

Because those “until we don’t” reasons include things like tragedy, sickness, loss, unimaginable grief, fizzled dreams, and so on. 

And let’s get really honest here. Life happens and life is full of ups and downs. 

So it’s easy to listen to the enemy’s lies during the down-times. Satan’s lies claim God doesn’t have our good in mind. Or else He would not have let this thing happen to us.

But even when I’m at the end of my rope, I know God is good, does good, and works behind the scenes for my good. I may not understand the whys or what He is doing, but it doesn’t change who God is or His good nature. 

Our circumstances never change God’s goodness. 

So let’s remind our hearts of the Bible verse containing this promise.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV) 

Notice the promise is not that all things are good, but all the things work toward our good.

God’s a Good Father

God has promised good to us. 

The Lord has plans for our good, now and in our future.