Properly Equipped for 2018

Packing Up, Getting Ready

If in this past year, you encountered some situations that fairly knocked you to your knees, I hope that you remembered to read James 1:2-4, NASV.

2. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3. knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The passage of scripture quoted above is a good tool to have in your bag or satchel of preparations for the New Year. I did not quote the next several verses, but you would do well to read them, verse 5 in particular. Verse five says that if you lack wisdom, to ask God.

When I Don't Understand

Wisdom is crucial because often in life we just don't understand why things happen as they do. But, if you have the wisdom to trust the Good Lord, then you will believe and know that no matter what comes up in your life, HE will be there. And you know, that is a powerful thing to come to know. That wisdom will carry you on when it seems that you should be beaten down and done. That belief will keep you struggling and striving to reach its source, JEHOVAH, GOD.

HE commands the sea, wind, water, animals, blacksmiths coals, in fact, all of creation. WHO better to take with you into 2018 than GOD, HIMSELF? If you believe in HIM strongly enough, I think that HE knows it and is pleased by it and walks with you. Therefore, I believe that He makes "All things work together for your good." (Romans 8:28, KJV) I touched on this a little bit in "Chopping My Row." The quotation in the previous sentence is paraphrased, but you get my drift.

In conclusion, in 2018, do as my momma used to tell me when I was a little girl, "Baby, take HIM with you everywhere you go." And, folks,  I have been doing that ever since.

Doing What I Can, While I Can Because I Care,

Alma L. Stepping On Carr-Jones