Oh, I LOVE the first day of the New Year!! So, clean and ripe with promise. So beckoning to do all those things that are in my heart. The evals from last year are all finished. I either rejoiced and high-fived over them or ashes, sackcloth and grieved over them, depending.
I have a simple tracking chart that I have kept for years—I’ll put it in the Just for You section so you can download it. It’s easy, quick and painless to mark your progress. And, it’s quite therapeutic to actually be able to see your growth in different areas of your life. And, if it’s regression instead, well, that’s a gentle reminder that it’s time to put your shoulder to the wheel. After all, that’s what we do; we better ourselves day by day, inch by inch, triumph by triumph or disappointment by disappointment.
This year, no more victim mentality. No more poor ME’s. It’s ok to acknowledge failure, but we are not going to wallow in it. We are going to stand up straight, look disappointment in its gloating eye and declare victory. Because, recognizing what we did wrong is the first step to correcting it. Admitting where we took the wrong road is the beginning to setting our feet back on the right path.
In the short first chapter of Joshua (I love him!) the Lord told Joshua to be strong and courageous four times. That admonition applies to us as well. It seems to me that if we are told to be strong and courageous, then there are going to be things in our lives that will require strength and courage. The Lord promised Joshua, “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee”. Think on that!! The Lord will NEVER abandon us…NEVER!! It doesn’t matter what mess we get ourselves into, what circumstances we find ourselves in, who maligns, disrespects or harms us, the Lord is with us. ALWAYS.
There is one thing, though. There is one requirement. Obedience to His Word. The Lord has told us what we should do, how we should act. He has given us A GUIDE. His Word. Keep His Word, Do His Word. Ponder and pray over His Word. “Observe and do according to the law”–v 7. “Meditate day and night…to do all that is written”—v 8. Joshua ends the chapter promising to listen to God and do all things that have been instructed. Can we do less?
Sisters, read and ponder your scriptures. I have such a testimony of this mandate. Your life will not only be enriched, infused and engulfed in the Spirit, you will find such INCREDIBLE joy. There is no joy to compare with the holy happiness that comes from having the scriptures in your heart.
NEW YEAR’S VIDEO–You’re gonna love it.
So, happy new year my lovelies.
“The Lord bless thee and keep thee;
The Lord make His face shine upon thee,
And be gracious to thee;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee,
And give thee peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
So, sisters, WHAT ARE YOUR NEW YEAR’S PLANS? GOALS? HOPES? COMMENT BELOW.