KEY PRINCIPLES FROM THIS MESSAGE:
2026 – It’s a New Year! – blog 1/3/26
As I think about this, I realize that my excitement changes as I get older and wiser. I mean, without Christ first in my life, what would I really have to be excited about? Nothing, to be blunt. He’s all that matters if you get right down to it. So, I guess you could say that my excitement about the new year becomes increasingly dependent on my relationship with my Lord and Savior, year over year. That’s a great future to think about because His blessings are infinite. So, 2026 means even greater blessings than 2025, which has been chock full!
“rejoice” – from chairete [present-active-imperative is used for commands, urging ongoing or repeated action] – means rejoice, be glad, be joyful.
Human emotions are the result of proper Biblical thinking. The mind leads our emotions. So, when God commands our emotions (e.g., “rejoice always”) we are only able to obey if our state of mind is dominated by Truth.
As the mind goes, so goes the heart.
A darkened heart, as evidence of an advanced perversion of the mind, believes that it is righteous.
Because of the perversion of the sin nature, the “law of sin that dwells in [our] members” will always appeal to human emotions to lead the mind against God’s will (ref: God’s will is captured in the mind – ref: 2Co 10:3-6).
If you want to OBEY the commands of God that directly relate to human emotions (e.g., “rejoice always” – 1Th 5:16), then, “set your mind on the things of the Spirit” (Ro 8:5), aka, the “sacred writings that are able to make you wise” (2Ti 3:15).