THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

December 30, 2020

Happy New Year!

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

In the midst of much division over many issues in our nation this past year, one thing that most of people can agree on is the fact that it has been a tough year for many individuals and families. In fact, it has been a tougher year than most people have ever experienced during their lifetime. We have dealt with a pandemic, which has touched us all in one way or another. Shopping, eating out, and being in public looks much different for many people than ever before. Some have lost jobs; while others now work from home, instead of going into an office. "Social distancing" has become a term that we are all now familiar with. COVID has had an effect on so many people, and some are realizing that there can be lingering health issues afterwards. It's been a very odd, stressful year.

Now that we are nearing the end of the year, I have seen many people post comments along the lines of being ready for 2020 to be over and looking forward to a new year. They seem to be hopeful that once we leave this year behind and begin 2021, that things will improve and become much better. I believe that it's not so much that there is a dividing line that we cross over from one year to the next, but a change of attitude.

I do hope that next year brings about blessings and changes and that things will improve. I pray that families won't suffer loss due to COVID, and that individual's health won't be affected by this horrible virus. I would love to see peace in our nation and joy restored.

Don't misunderstand what I'm about to say! But what if this is God's plan for our nation, in order to bring us to the place where we turn our face fully to Him, and prepare our hearts for His return? Will we remain faithful and faith-filled, if things don't return to "normal" and improve as we hope? Will we become angry at God, frustrated and disheartened, if we don't see things turn around as we want? Will we remain hope-filled, faith-filled, and love-filled, with our focus fully on our Father, regardless of what 2021 brings?

In many ways, our nation has become very spoiled, with us used to having what we want, when we want, how we want; with few rules to obey and enjoying what we describe as our freedoms. Because things have suddenly changed and we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, we feel as if we are being persecuted. I think at times, we (as a nation) often see ourselves as being superior to other nations, and perhaps even "feel" as if they experience hardships and persecution due to their sins or it being their own fault. Yet, we think we should be protected and that God should lavish blessings upon us, and we should never have to endure any suffering.

Look throughout history in the Word of God. Israel was God's chosen people, yet they went through times of suffering and hardship. God placed a special calling upon individuals, yet that didn't mean that they never encountered difficulties. The early church suffered persecution, right after Jesus ascended back to heaven. This has been the pattern with nations and individuals since the beginning of time; yet we have never truly experienced this, so we cry and whine and ask, "Why me?!"

God placed Joseph in Egypt though methods that seemed unfair. I mean, he was sold into slavery by his own brothers. While there, he was falsely accused by Potipher's wife and was imprisoned. He interpreted dreams of two men who worked for the king, and when one of them was released, he forgot all about Joseph. Joseph was finally released, interpreted a dream for the king, and was placed in the highest position in all Egypt, with only Pharaoh having more authority than him.

Jospeh interpreted the dream of Pharaoh, that there would be seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine. The nation began stockpiling, building storage for grain, so that they would have enough to eat when famine hit. I'm sure that there were those who didn't believe Joseph and thought he was overreacting. He was likely criticized and farmers didn't like that they had to put back grain each year for this dire "famine" that Joseph said was going to come. Things were great in Egypt during that time and it looked as if it would always be good. Good crops, good economy, peace, plentiful work...... Yet they were required to stockpile food for these 7 years. It looked ridiculous to many, I'm sure.

Human nature has not changed since that time. If we had been told that a year or so ago, when the economy was booming and things were going great, that a huge pandemic would hit our nation and basically shut it down for several weeks, we would have thought, "You are exaggerating! I don't believe it! That must be a false prophet!"

Yet a famine did hit Egypt. But due to Joseph's obedience to God and using the wisdom that God had given him, the nation was spared. In fact, they had so much excess, that surrounding nations came to them for food. That is how Joseph's brothers, and later his entire family, ended up all moving to Egypt during that time.

Something that we can all learn from Joseph's life is that he was faithful and faith-filled, regardless of what his situation was. He didn't allow his circumstances to dictate whether or not he trusted God. When he was sold into slavery, when he was falsely accused, when he was put into prison.... he held onto faith and kept his focus on the Father. When he was exalted into a high leadership position and prevented Egypt from suffering from starvation, he still made God his focus and was filled with faith.

We see that also in Paul and Silas when they were imprisoned. They chose to sing songs of worship, even though they were put in stocks in a dark prison cell and they had done nothing wrong, other than preach the gospel. They didn't complain that it wasn't fair and that God should have protected them, after all, they were doing His work! But they chose to trust God and keep Him their focus.

None of us know what 2021 holds in store. There is no way to predict and see into the future to know what lies ahead for our nation or our families or churches or for us, personally. We hope that it is wonderful and blessed and filled with health and favor. But what if it holds moments that are bleak or difficult or something unknown occurs that seems devastating? Will we remain faithful and faith-filled, keeping our focus on God; or will we become distraught and angry, feeling as if we've been forsaken by the Father?

Let's choose to keep our eyes on God. Let's hold fast to faith and trust our Father, regardless of what happens. In good and bad times, let's be consistent in our relationship with Jesus. Don't be motivated by what's going on in the world around us, but let's be motivated by the Word of God.

Look to God in 2021, knowing that He is in control and loves us unconditionally. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him or catches Him off-guard. Even when we may not understand what is happening, we can remain steadfast in our faith and trust God to always be with us.

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Exodus lists a lot of plagues that came against Egypt. Except for the Passover, the Israelites suffered through all the same things the Egyptians suffered.

The Revelation lists a lot of plagues and disasters. Many are for all the world. Most are for all believers and unbelievers alike, wherever it hits. Believers are only exempt from a very few.

I can't claim to understand why or how, but this has all been part of God's plan. Having a plague hit America doesn't mean we have deserved God's wrath, and countries that were hit lighter are deserving of God's mercy. If one person gets sick and dies, and another gets sick and recovers quickly, it doesn't mean one had sinned and the other hasn't.

I also can't claim to know whether this is part of the prophesy in the Revelation. There are a lot of signs, now, that make it sound like the end of the world is coming. But honestly, there have been other times when it must have seemed like then end, too, like the Roman persecution of the church and the Black Plagues. Whether this is the start of the end or not, it is a great time to seek God.

Sick or well, end or not, rich or poor, God can help us through each situation.

ON THE MENEWE:

Fruit Dip

Soften the cream cheese. Blend in brown sugar and vanilla.

Serve with strawberries, sliced apples, grapes, etc.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

Growing up, on New Year's eve, our church would have a special service. Sometimes two or three churches might get together for a united service. There would be lots and lots of singing. Sometimes the women would bring food and there would be a time of fellowship. It was always a special time of ushering out the old year and bringing in the new. We would greet the new year with prayer. Such precious memories!

New Year's day was, also, my dad's birthday. There were times, when I was single and living alone, that I would call Daddy and tell him happy birthday at midnight; saying that I wanted to be the first to wish him a happy birthday. I'm not sure if that was irritating to be called so late, or if he thought it was funny and looked forward to the call..... I never asked him. As my sisters' families grew and it became more difficult to get together for Christmas, we started getting together on New Year's day and would celebrate Daddy's birthday. So I have a lot of special memories attached to New Years!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I will do a new thing!" Isaiah 43:18-19a

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org