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I know what you’re thinking, it’s almost February and I am wishing you a happy new year! And my answer is yes! Let me say it again, but a little louder this time, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Okay, now that I got that out of my system, let’s move on. We have entered a new year and I am really ready to move into 2022 and not look back! Why, you ask? Because it appears to me that our country doesn’t want to move on! I know you understand what I am saying. I pray that this year will truly be new, that our minds will shift the focus off the negative around us to the things above! God has so much good for us right now. We can’t be overwhelmed by the negativity of this world. I’ll saying even bolder than that, we must not be overwhelmed by the negativity of this world! That’s why I titled this meandering, happy new year! We need to acknowledge that 2022 will be a good year, a happy year! Will there be struggles and unforeseen stuff? YES, but God will be there with us, through it all! In Hebrews 13:5-6 God says, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” 6 so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” God will be with us every step of the way! Through the ups and downs of life. I am so looking forward to what God has instore for us this year! I am excited to follow His lead and make the best of each day I am given! How about you? What do you say, will you join me?? Let me end this meandering by sharing Romans 8:31-39 (ESV) with you. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. WOW, that says it all! Nothing can separate us from the love of God! This year is going to be an amazing year if we faithfully follow Jesus together! Are you willing to put Jesus first and share His love with everyone around you? I am! Let’s make 2022 our best year yet! Happy New Year, Mike
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As I was reading my Bible this morning, I felt God talking to me! No, I didn’t hear His audible voice, like I said, I felt God talking to me, but it was clear and vivid in my mind. So, do you want to know what He said to me??
God said, “Mike, you’ve got it good, so do good.” Now, let me make this clear. I sat down to write this meandering and thought I was going to write about Fall coming and the joy it brings me because the temperature is cooler, football is back, and the trees are starting to change. But I guess that’s not what God wanted me to write about…that’s why I call these articles “Mike’s Meanderings,” because that is really what they are, my meanderings. I hope you are uplifted and challenged as much as I am! Ok, back to what God said! I was reading in 1 Timothy and that’s when God put this in my head. Here’s what I was reading: 17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. ~ 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Now let me tell you this, when I first started reading this I breezed right past this section of scripture. Why, you ask? Probably for the same reason you did when you read it! I wouldn’t consider myself “rich” and I can bet neither do you. That’s when God said, “Mike, you’ve got it good, so do good!” Did you notice the exclamation point?? I don’t think God was yelling at me, but He wanted my attention. He wanted me to go back and read it again, but this time in the context of knowing that I live in rural Iowa, in America, where I have so many luxuries! So, I did, and wow God’s voice was loud and clear! Take a moment and read those verses again. Did you get the same sense that I did? We are so blessed in America and really, we are rich! We must never put our trust in money or be conceited. We nee to put our hope, our trust in God because he gives us all we need! God continues to open our eyes and shows us how we should live. We must never forget that we’ve got it good, and we need to do good to others! As we put our trust in God, we will become more generous and willing to share with others in need. This must go beyond the money side of things! We must be willing to share our faith with others. We must be willing to share the forgiveness we’ve received with those in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our workplaces! We’ve got it good, so let’s do good! ~ Mike |
Mike CooperI have decided to start writing some of the things that meander around in my mind. So, if and when you choose to read these meanderings know that some are just that, meanderings. But sometimes it may be stuff that I’ve thought about in great depth. With that being said I pray these thoughts will inspire and encourage you on this great adventure called life! Archives
February 2022
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