Nae's Notes

In today’s world it’s hard to find something that doesn’t change. Sometimes we even seek the change if our current circumstances are not favorable. God brings about changes in our lives to help us grow as we serve Him. Even though He brings things to help change us, He doesn’t change. The Bible says in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever,” (NASB).” Most of the time when you cross reference different versions of a Bible verse, you find the general message to be the same but with different word usage. This is not the case with this verse. Most of the versions use the same words as the version listed. The Amplified version adds “eternally changeless” and “always”. The message version uses basically the same words but adds an extra sentence, “There should be a consistency that runs through us all,”. That consistency is Jesus. He doesn’t change. Even though we change, He is the consistency that steadies us through our changes. We have to stay close to Him and consistent in our pursuit of Him to allow Him to work through us and bring us to the promises of God. Instead of just surviving, stay consistent in your relationship with God and thrive!

It easy to get wrapped up in the things around you. We get busy. We get involved in things we need to do to keep moving forward every day. Some days don’t go as planned and that’s where there is a choice about how to view your life. Some people tend to lean toward the negative side when they get stressed. They only see all the bad things about what is around them. But we have a choice.

Colossians 3:2 says, “So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective,” (MSG).

The end of the first sentence made me stop and read it again. “Act like it.” Too many times, we run around acting just like everyone else. That is not what God wants us to do. No matter what goes on around us, He wants us to act like we have Him as our hope and our future. That simple act speaks more to the people around us than our words most of the time. You can survive the expected twists of each day, or you can act like you live for God and thrive!

Most vehicles today have backup cameras that allow you to see what is directly behind the vehicle, which helps avoid any objects that are in the way. Some of the new, larger vehicles also have a camera that gives an overhead view of the vehicle, which shows the exact position of the vehicle from overhead. This is like what a bird would see when flying over the car.

What would it be like if we had a bird’s eye view of our lives? We all know what is behind us and can see what is in front of us in the immediate future. A bird’s eye view would also show us a broader scope of everything that is around us and what is further down the road. That is like what God sees from His vantage point. He can see a much broader view of our lives and things that are ahead that we are not able to see yet. Remembering that He sees a bird’s eye view of our lives is what helps make sense of things that happen that don’t immediately make sense to us. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good,” (NLT). He sees all the things we can ‘t see and can help guide us and make sense of things that are unexpected and don’t make sense. We can spend our time surviving and trying to figure things out, or we can thrive and trust God to lead us with His bird’s eye view.

Many times, you hear people say to wait on the the Lord. This is true because you don’t want to make a move without his approval or go on a path that is not for you. Waiting means to “look forward expectantly”. (Merriam-Webster online). The phrase “wait on the Lord” is often also used to imply we should rest and be peaceful while we wait. Sometimes when we wait, we get lazy or restless. We are ready to go-ready to move forward. We can lose interest quickly when the waiting takes longer than we think it should take.

Psalm 59:9-10 says, “You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me,” (NIV). This verse tells us to watch for the Lord instead of waiting on him. Watch means to be attentive or vigilant (Merriam- Webster online). We tend to be more focused when we watch for something because we don’t want to miss it. This implies more focus and attention needed than when we just wait for something. Being attentive also implies we are actively doing something. While we watch we should be attentive to His word and seek Him as He strengthens us. This will help us to thrive not just survive!

The verse, “weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning,” (Ps 30:5b NIV) is one that you hear often. If you back up to verse 4 and the beginning of 5, you see this, “Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime.” This is demonstrated in God’s relationship with Israel. Throughout the Old Testament we see how God would save Israel, they would turn away from Him, they would repent, and He would save them again. Even though they messed up, God didn’t let His favor fall away from them. He was always sending a prophet to warn them and lure them back to Him. He saved them every time, but they had to turn back to Him to experience that favor.

The same is true for us. We mess up each day: say the wrong thing, make a rash decision, ignore something we should be doing. God doesn’t leave us there. He wants us to live in His favor, in the good things He planned for us. When we admit our mistakes and turn back to Him with praise, He helps us continue to walk in His favor-for a LIFETIME! Not just that day, but everyday we put Him first. That is when we will go from surviving each day to thriving!

Most Christians don’t think about the title with the word “you” in it but the word “God”. All of our focus should be on God and what He wants for us. Sometimes that works against us when we let busyness take over. We get so busy in this life, doing the things we think we should do. That’s where the trap comes. We are so focused on the activities that we often forget to take care of ourselves. It’s often during these times that we become more focused on the tasks and less focused on our purpose for being here. That becomes lost as we spend more time doing and less time with God because our schedule is full. In order to fulfill your purpose, you have to do something for you. You have to spend time with God, letting Him give you rest and direction to make sure you are where He wants you to be right now.

I know the thought of doing one more thing seems impossible or overwhelming. It will be more overwhelming if you try to complete things without God’s help and direction. Proverbs 4:20-22 says, “My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn; Open your ears to my sayings. Do not let them escape from your sight; Keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing and health to all their flesh. ” (AMP) God’s words are life to us! We cannot try to do our days without reading His word and seeking His direction and refreshing. Even though it feels like one more thing to do, it is the one thing necessary to keep you moving in the right direction-to help rejuvenate and refresh you. So many days we feel like we are just surviving. How much more could we thrive if we take time to let His words be our life!

Proverbs 4:11-12 in the NIV says,” I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.”

When you first look at the beginning of these verses, it feels like something is missing. How many of you tried to put the word “will” in front of “guide”? It doesn’t say He will guide us…it says He guides. It’s not a promise that will happen in the future. It’s the present reality for each day. So why doesn’t it always feel like He is guiding us in the moment?

When walking through a parking lot parents grab the hands of the children and make sure they stay on the path that is clear and safe. They don’t want any chance of them straying into danger. This is difficult at times because kids are curious by nature and want to see all the things around them. They are easily distracted and may not remember how to get to the car. What kids don’t realize is that the parents know how to get to the car and see the other potential dangers around them. This is what God does for us, when we let Him. Look at the verse written in The Passion translation, “I have taken you by the hand in wisdom’s ways, pointing you to the path of integrity. Your progress will have no limits when you come along with me, and you will never stumble as you walk along the way.”

This explains how God the Father takes us as his children by the hand to lead us in His wisdom. His wisdom, not ours and what our eyes want to see. The promise when we hold His hand is that our progress isn’t limited, and we will not stumble. He gets us where we need to be without having to start over or get mired down in mistakes. When we hold firmly to His hand, we continue on the path He has for us and avoid costly distractions. There will be obstacles because the enemy comes to get us distracted. Like the parent in the parking lot, God doesn’t let go or let us get off track. He helps us thrive on our journey, not just merely survive!

Welcome 2026! How did I get here? I’m sure that’s a question each of us has asked at least once in our lives. Sometimes it is in regard to good things. You have the job you like, the house you want, and the family you love. You marvel at the good things around you.

Maybe it’s just the opposite. You have a job you don’t enjoy, a house that is just ok, and your family seems distant. You struggle to find something good.

Either way, God is there for you in whatever capacity you allow Him into your lives. He wants to celebrate the good things with you and bring good things to you. If you are facing challenges and disappointments, He wants to bring you peace and guide you into the good things He has for you.

January is typically a month where everyone resets and sets new goals for the year to improve something in their lives. Maybe make one goal for this year to find one thing to be thankful for each day and write it down. Some days may be more challenging than others. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.” (TPT)

We all want God’s perfect plan for our lives. Make 2026 the year you don’t just survive but you thrive by switching your mindset to thankfulness each day!

I watched a video clip the other day about 2 people going up on an escalator. The escalator stops suddenly when they are only a few steps from the top. They call for help and just stand there waiting for someone to start the escalator again. A repairman starts coming up on another one to help them and his stops moving. Now they are all stopped on an escalator calling for help. 3 people essentially stuck waiting for help, not realizing all they have to do is walk a few steps to the top.

I’ve never been stuck on an escalator nor would I stand still and call for help when the solution is right in front of me. We do this all the time in daily lives as we go on our journey. Something happens to stop our progress or movement forward, and we act like we are helpless and don’t know how to start moving forward again. Our help is actually an easy solution that we often ignore when unexpected things happen. God is right there with us to help us start moving again. We often don’t go to Him or His word first. We stop in our tracks and look for people to fix our situation. We grasp for anything we can see to give us direction when we should be looking to God for our direction. In the video, all the people end up stuck waiting for help. That can happen with us too. It’s important to have faith friends who encourage and support us, but they should not be our main resource for help.

God may clear the way and get us moving again, or He may want us to wait for a time until the path is clear for us to move forward. Either way, He is right there to help us and knows the whole situation, not just what is seen. The next time you get “stuck on an escalator”, don’t just survive waiting for an answer. Look to God and His word to help you thrive!

“A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24 NIV. This verse was circled in my Bible, so it was not the first time I saw it. However, it felt like a new revelation.

Anyone who believes in God and follows Him knows that God has a plan for our lives and lead us in that plan when we seek Him. That knowledge doesn’t keep us from questioning and wondering why God asks us to do certain things or leads us in a way that we don’t understand. The New Living Translation says it this way, “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” Proverbs 20:24 NLT.

We often wonder why God leads us in certain ways to do certain things, even why some people come into our lives and others move out of our lives. If we count the hours spent wondering about these things, it probably adds up to years over the course of our lives. What could we have done with those hours or years spent trying to understand all of God’s leadings in our lives? We aren’t supposed to know what God is doing or why because He’s God. He sees everything that we don’t see. He knows things we don’t know. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Trying to figure out the purpose of events is like trying to put ourselves in God’s place.

The next time you face something you don’t understand, don’t just survive and lose time trying to figure it out. Go to God and submit to Him so you can thrive!