a black swan or best year yet?

hey hey,

2024 is on the horizon! What lies ahead?

Will this be a Black Swan year — with an high-impact event and global uncertainty? Will this election year bring chaos in the USA with threats of a great reset, financial collapse, wars, cyberattacks, an EMP strike … or worse, a civil war?

Or, will this be your best year yet — based upon God’s Word, and your faith in Jesus, His blood and His Name?

Or, all of the above????

If I have your attention, I want to wish you a blessed and happy New Year as I share this week’s blog —  “A Word, A Song and A Laugh” — to look ahead into 2024.

A WORD

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
    which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

Proverbs 4:18

If we believe God and His Word … then the future for believers in Jesus — those who have been made the “righteousness of God in Christ” —  is guaranteed to shine brighter and brighter!

At the same time, the Bible tells us that perilous times and persecutions are also a part of the last days global scene. In 2024, according to many respected prognosticators, it’s possible that a Black Swan event defined as: a rare event that seems to “drop out of the sky” with a world-shaking impact (think 9/11, pandemic, etc.) … will be put forth.

How do we reconcile the idea that while the world could get darker, believers can count on their lives getting brighter? Because God’s Word tells us so.

Isaiah 60 speaks about God’s people (Israel and the Church) and our future. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”

So, how should we approach the New Year and what should we be doing as 2024 gets started? Let’s look at 3 things we can do.

1. Get Your Mouth in Agreement with God

Let’s start by setting the rudder of our lives, our tongue, to sail in the direction of God’s will this year. Find out what God has promised you in His Word; then speak and declare those things over your life. What an advantage God has given us, that we can put His promises in our mouths and declare our future by calling things that do not currently exist as though they did. We can declare the end of 2024 from the beginning.

Proverbs 18:21, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Job 22:28, “You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways.”

Romans 4:17, “God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did…”

1 Peter 3:10, “For the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.’ ”

>> Practically speaking, we can say things like: I am always at the right place at the right time. I am surrounded with God’s favor. I am protected and He orders my steps. I am blessed. I have God’s wisdom and I am led by the Holy Spirit. I have an abundant life in every way. I am healed, healthy, whole and full of energy. I get stronger every day. I have a peaceful heart, a sound mind and a blessed memory. I am an ambassador for Christ. I am loved by God. The Name of Jesus is my strong tower and I am safe in Him. His blood covers me, my family, my church, my community, my country. The enemy is defeated and Jesus is Lord of my life and my family.

Get the idea? You can customize the things you say per God’s promises to you and the desires He has put in your heart.

>> On the contrary, be vigilant and don’t say things like: I am so sick of this or that. I am so tired. I can’t take it anymore. I’m scared to death. I am falling apart. I can’t get a break. That just kills me. I can’t stand this or that. Every year it gets worse and worse. I never have enough. Nothing ever goes my way. I knew it wouldn’t work out. I am in a panic. That just worries me to pieces. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.

Don’t declare “evil” or “lies” - by saying things that are contrary to what God has promised.

If it’s true that the power of life and death is in the tongue and we eat the fruit of our words, let’s start 2024 off by speaking words that will produce the fruit we want to eat. :)

2. Live by Faith not Fear

As believers, our DNA is faith, not fear.

>> To live by faith is to take God at His Word. To believe He meant what He said. To trust that He really does love us and He does good. Then, to act boldly in accordance with those beliefs.

>> To live by fear is to doubt God and His Word. To not believe He meant what He said. To not trust that He love us nor that He does good. Then, to shrink back, hunker down and live a small and timid life in accordance with those beliefs.

Don’t live in fear when we can live by faith in 2024. If God is for you, who can be against you?

Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

3. Sing Your Song and Keep Your Joy

These are the days, ya’ll! We were born for this. Whether we are in the midst of trials and persecutions or celebrating great blessings and victories; we, like Esther, are here for such a time as this.

When we stay full of joy with a song in our hearts, this keeps us strong in the Lord — strong for ourselves and strong to help those around us!

The Bible is full of stories where God gave His people supernatural victories as they sang His praises, sang of His salvation, sang songs of deliverance … and kept their joy!

Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

Nehemiah 8:10, “ … Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Psalm 32:7, “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.”

2 Chronicles 20:21-22, “…the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: ‘Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!’ At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.”

Acts 16:25-26, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.”

Can you see the connection between choosing joy, singing His praises and having His strength and victory?

>> Carve out time every day to sing! Go for a drive and put on a playlist of praise and worship then sing every song from your heart to God’s heart, Watch the Lord bring joy, strength and breakthrough into your life. This is the recipe for 2024!

So, in the end it doesn’t matter if there is a Black Swan event or not this year — if we will put these things into practice, we’ll have our best and brightest year yet, in Jesus’ Name!

Future of the BWB blog in ‘24?

Fun updates in the next blog - stay tuned!

As you are gearing up for the New Year, I hope you will listen to this message, “That’s Not How This Works: I want to love my life!” to be encouraged in the role you can play to have a life you love in 2024. You can love your life and see good days … and in this message you’ll find out how!

A SONG

Okay are you ready to shout your way into 2024? I’m taking you on an eclectic pentecostal adventure today! Crank these songs up and get ready, get ready, get ready!!

Just the Mention of His Name, by Natalie Grant and Andrew Holt - if you are walking into 2024 one way, you are gonna walk out of it blessed, healed and favored and — ya’ll better get your joy-filled bounce going!!

Just the Mention of His Name, by Eastwind Pentecostal Church — this is the same power-packed song from above. Sing it one more time … this is what pentecostal sounds like! Let’s go!

Said and Done, by Benita Jones -- this is one of my husband’s favorite songs — so, don’t stop singing now. Put your shouting clothes and your dancing shoes and sing yourself into 2024! If God said it, He will do it! The devil is a liar and God is still on the Throne!

Fear is Not My Future, by Tasha Cobbs and Todd Galberth — sing this over your future!!

These Are the Days, by Lauren Daigle — we were born for such a time as this!

peace, love and happy new year,

A LAUGH

Sometimes ya gotta tweet it. :)

your secret weapons

hey hey,

In today’s blog, I want to share “A Word, A Song and A Laugh” to talk about your secret weapons!

A WORD

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

Revelation 12:11

Did you know we have secret weapons? You do!

When you watch the news or read your Twitter feed or listen to the prognosticators — it’s easy to forget you have power over all the power of the enemy!  When the enemy comes knocking on your door — with paralyzing fear of a terminal disease; temptations of pride, lust or greed; anxious thoughts of another pandemic; panic about the safety of your kids; thoughts of jealousy, anger or bitterness; news reports of domestic terrorists, financial markets on the verge of collapse, a corrupt political system, threats of a nuclear attack or an EMP. What do you do?

Living in defeat, disappointment and fear not God’s best for His children. He wants us to overcome. But how? How do we experience the overcoming life?

We find a clue in Revelation 12:11. We overcome the enemy of our souls by the blood of Jesus, the words we speak and because we are not afraid to die! These three things are secret weapons and give us the upper hand in a world of temptation and fear.

Let’s talk about it.

The Blood of Jesus: His blood is the most powerful substance in all the universe! His blood resounds life! The life for all of humanity is in His blood. His blood brought our redemption and the once and for all forgiveness of our sin. Just as the hymn says, “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!” Declare your freedom from sin and proclaim the overcoming power of the blood of Jesus that flows in you, your family, your property, your community and your church.

The Word of our Testimony: Our words have power — the power of life and death is in our mouth according to the book of Proverbs. When we testify about Jesus, His goodness, His blood, His Name, His Word, His love and His work on cross and resurrection — heaven backs us up! God has promised to confirm His Word, so when we put His word in our mouth as our testimony, God Himself has promised to confirm it!!

>> This is a big secret to the overcoming life.

What that means is we want to get in the habit of testifying (saying words) that align with God’s Words — and not saying words that are contrary to God’s Word. If God says we are blessed and favored, we don’t say we are a wreck or a hot mess — we agree with God and say, we are blessed and favored. And guess what will happen? We will be blessed and favored. Get the idea. Let God’s Word be your testimony!

Love Not Our Lives to the Death: One of our secret weapons is being free from the fear of death. Coming to terms with the reality that death has no sting for the Christian is a big overcoming moment! As believers, we have already passed from death to life and the fear of death has been destroyed. For believers — it’s a win, win. If we live - we win. If we die - we win. When we live in this reality, the enemy has no power over us.

So today, can I encourage you to use your secret weapons? Don’t let the enemy steal your confidence in God - instead go on the offense with your weapons and declare the blood of Jesus over your life, speak the words of your testimony that are in alignment with God’s Word and live in the reality that death has no power over you as a believer.

BLOG BONUS: In the midst of the pandemic, when church attendance was a struggle and fear was rampant, I shared a message with our Valley Family Church family in Michigan. The message, Why the Gory, Bloody Details?, is one I have taught many times and love to be reminded of. It reminds us of the overcoming life Jesus brought us through His blood. Even today, we still need this message. I hope you are reminded and stirred up by this video teaching.

Why the Gory, Bloody Details?

A SONG

Here are a few songs to encourage you to use your secret weapons to live that overcoming life!

Thank You Jesus for the Blood, by Charity Gayle — an all time favorite — big tears and big praise!!

Plead the Blood, by Chris Davenport, Brandon Lake, Cody Carnes. So, so good — it’s back again this week!

I Speak Jesus, by Charity Gayle. Another favorite!

This Blood, by First Baptist Dallas Choir - this baptist gal and the choir can flat sing…get ready to run around your living room with your hands in the air!

peace, love and blessings,

A LAUGH

If you know, you know. :)

in perilous times

hey hey,

In today’s blog, I want to share “A Word, A Song and A Laugh” to encourage you in these perilous times. I missed sending out this blog the last two Wednesdays, so to make up for those missed blogs, I am sending you a longer “Saturday night special” blog! Somehow this seems equivalent. :)

A WORD

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

2 Timothy 3:1-5, NKJV

There’s no doubt, we are living in the perilous times of the last days. The Holy Spirit, through Timothy told us these days would come and what they would look like. Does anyone doubt we are there? If so, the question we might be asking is this: “In light of these times, what should we be doing?”

We know what we shouldn’t be doing, right? We shouldn’t be curled up in the fetal position in a dark corner. We shouldn’t be fearful, passive, or operating in angry outbursts. As Christians, we should lift up our heads as our Redeemer draws near and we should do these five things:

Five Things:

Be Strong in Faith and Love.

Declare God’s Word.

Live Your Joyful Life.

Proclaim Jesus.

Speak and Pray Out Your Future.

Be Strong in Faith and Love. As believers, we are people of faith and love. We don’t live in fear. We live by faith. We rest in His love. We trust God and His Word and we walk in His wisdom. In fact, knowing God and His perfect love is what enables us to live a fearless life — and empowers us to love others. God is faithful. Trust Him. Meditate on these Scriptures, receive the reality of God’s love and faithfulness toward you.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 Joh 4:18-19

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Declare God’s Word. While the world has a narrative and it is being proclaimed on every airwave and internet platform; we have a more powerful and authoritative voice backed by heaven. We should be more diligent to use our voice to declare God’s Word — the Name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus and the angels of God — over our lives and sphere of influence. Sometimes Christians can fall into the trap of being passive or fatalistic — with the “whatever will be will be” type of mindset. Some believers assume God is going to do whatever He wants to do whether we believe, pray or speak His Word — but that is not true. The Lord has given us a responsibility to believe and to declare His Word to “frame our world” and to determine the “fruit we will eat.” So, don’t be silent. Don’t be passive. Don’t be fatalistic. Put God’s Word in your mouth and declare it over your life, your church, your community and this world. Sure, the world is getting darker and darker, but it doesn’t have to be dark where you are! In fact, the glory of the Lord can shine on and through you if you will cooperate with God and His Word. Meditate on these verses:

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1

“A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:20-21

“And make the Almighty your gold and [the Lord] your precious silver treasure, then you will have delight in the Almighty, and you will lift up your face to God. You will make your prayer to Him, and He will hear you, and you will pay your vows. You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light [of God’s favor] shall shine upon your ways.” Job 22:25-28, AMP

Live Your Joyful Life: Yes, the world is a crazy place where people call evil things good and where they call good things evil. The Bible told us this would happen, but that doesn’t mean we stop living. This isn’t the time to hunker in a bunker — it’s time to live your life with great joy because you know the King of kings and the Lord of lords and your future is bright!! It’s true, we still have to work, pay bills, raise kids, make meals, love others … and we can do it with joy — not with apathy, anxiety, depression, panic or anger. Being full of joy does not mean you are oblivious or naive to the perilous times, it means you know God and His joy is your strength! Let these verses lift you up to a place of joy!

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…” James 1:2

“… And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.” Nehemiah 8:10

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

Proclaim Jesus: We still have the great commission to “go into all the world to proclaim the gospel!” Time is short, so let’s be busy telling people about Jesus and leading them to faith in Christ — and remember Jesus is with you confirming the words you proclaim!! Use your voice, your social media platform, your texts and tell people Jesus loved them so much He died on a cross to take away their sins — all they need to do is repent, believe and receive Him as Lord. This is no time to debate or speak in circles trying to convince people — just tell them the good news of Jesus and His plan to rescue them from the wages of their sin so that they could have an eternal life with Him and invite them to prayer a salvation prayer with you. The gospel of Jesus is good news! Memorize these passages.

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:9

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

Speak and Pray Out Your Future: God is the only One who knows what the future holds … and He is on our side! That means, we don’t have to play defense…we can play offense! The best way to play offense is to speak and pray! Pray with your understanding and in the spirit. We can speak and pray out the mystery of our future — according to God’s perfect will. What a divine privilege! When we can’t wrap our heads around these perilous times and what the future, specifically our future, might look like, we can speak and pray in the spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us pray out our future according to His perfect will. Soak up these passages and start talking.

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 1:7-13

“For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” 1 Corinthians 14:2

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:26-28

I hope you are encouraged and will put these five things into practice as we live in these perilous times.

BLOG BONUS: Today, I’d like to share a video I recorded several years ago titled, “The Future God Has Prepared” This video teaching will give more context to the Scriptures above. I encourage you to listen with your heart and put it into practice. :)

The Future God Has Prepared

A SONG

Here are a few songs to encourage you as we live in these perilous times.

Surrounded, by Beth Jones & Valley Worship Team. This is a song I wrote while in Berlin, Germany several years ago. It’s from a prayer we’ve prayed over our kids and church family for decades. The Valley Worship team helped me with finishing touches and they recorded this version for our church family. Listen and sing it out in faith over your life and family.

Plead the Blood, by Chris Davenport, Brandon Lake, Cody Carnes. So, so good!! Sing it over your family!

Great is Your Faithfulness, by Charity Gayle. I love everything she sings.

Name Above All Names, by Charity Gayle. This is her newest song and my favorite line in this song is: “hell still knows.” Hell knows the power of Jesus Name and His finished work on the cross. This one has been on repeat for me, so go ahead and turn it up!! All praise to the Name above all names… Jesus You reign!!

peace, love and blessings,

A LAUGH

This isn’t a funny meme, but it sure is true! While earth is preparing for a war, Jesus is preparing for the grand “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” for He and believers. Jesus is coming again soon. Get ready for the wedding of all weddings!!!