December 31, 2015
Out with the old...
Isaiah 43:16-19
I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Well, this is it – the last day of the year. Again. Time is flying by. Even my kids think so. All the news stations are looking back at what happened this year here and around the world. Some of it is good, but I think most people watch these programs and hope for better things in the coming year.
God’s plans for the coming year are the same every year; in fact, it’s the same plan he has every day for those of us who love and trust him...
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” (Lamentations 3:22-24)
I know that today, tomorrow and for all of the coming year God intends to love me, show me mercy, and give me an unlimited number of fresh starts. This is who he is; he is giving me himself and all the goodness that comes with him, so I will put my hope in him rather than wish real hard that good things happen economically, politically, and socially this year. I will hope in him!
But forget all that – it’s nothing compared to what I’m going to do... God has already done great things for his people, and he doesn’t have plans of stopping but increasing! That is God’s plan for the new year.
What’s my plan for the new year? Focusing on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
(Philippians 3:13-14)
Interesting... my plan is to get closer to God through his Son, Jesus, and God’s plan is to bring me closer to him through his Son too. So what does Jesus say?
So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ Who will be president? How much will be in my bank account? What’s the best way to lose weight? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
And the only way to live righteously is to believe in Jesus according to John 6:29. This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.
(Also see Romans 3:21-26)
Dear God,
Thank you that your plans for me is more of you – more than I even already have! Help my plans to be more of you as well. You are great and greatly to be praised! Help me to continue to trust you and thank you regardless of what the world has planned in the coming year. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name according to your wonderful will. Amen.
Out with the old...
Isaiah 43:16-19
I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Well, this is it – the last day of the year. Again. Time is flying by. Even my kids think so. All the news stations are looking back at what happened this year here and around the world. Some of it is good, but I think most people watch these programs and hope for better things in the coming year.
God’s plans for the coming year are the same every year; in fact, it’s the same plan he has every day for those of us who love and trust him...
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” (Lamentations 3:22-24)
I know that today, tomorrow and for all of the coming year God intends to love me, show me mercy, and give me an unlimited number of fresh starts. This is who he is; he is giving me himself and all the goodness that comes with him, so I will put my hope in him rather than wish real hard that good things happen economically, politically, and socially this year. I will hope in him!
But forget all that – it’s nothing compared to what I’m going to do... God has already done great things for his people, and he doesn’t have plans of stopping but increasing! That is God’s plan for the new year.
What’s my plan for the new year? Focusing on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
(Philippians 3:13-14)
Interesting... my plan is to get closer to God through his Son, Jesus, and God’s plan is to bring me closer to him through his Son too. So what does Jesus say?
So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ Who will be president? How much will be in my bank account? What’s the best way to lose weight? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
And the only way to live righteously is to believe in Jesus according to John 6:29. This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.
(Also see Romans 3:21-26)
Dear God,
Thank you that your plans for me is more of you – more than I even already have! Help my plans to be more of you as well. You are great and greatly to be praised! Help me to continue to trust you and thank you regardless of what the world has planned in the coming year. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name according to your wonderful will. Amen.
RSS Feed