January 1, 2013

"Forget what is past; press toward the prize...in Jesus" - Phil. 3:13-14

HAPPY NEW YEAR, dear friends!  I love turning the page on a new calendar month...even better...a new calendar year!  Don preached on Sunday about the demon-possessed man in Mark 5 and how out of control he was.  Sometimes I feel that way...December felt that way for me.  But today as I turn the page, I am going to listen to the word of Henry Ward Beecher who said:

We have passed through one more year.  One more long stage in the
journey of life, with its ascents and descents and dust and mud
and rocks and thorns and burdens that wear the shoulders, is done.
The old year is dead.  Roll it away.  Let it go.  God, in His
providence, has brought us out of it.  It is gone...And now
we stand at the beginning of the next, the new.
 
I encourage you to read Deuteronomy 11:13-21 today.  Moses, in encouraging obedience for the Israelites, urged them toward the new land and reminded them "...the eyes of the Lord are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end."  So, I am going to forget what happened in 2012 - the things I didn't do right, the things that disappointed me, the opportunities I missed - and I am going to "press toward the prize" in 2013!  Like those entering the unknown land, we cannot know the circumstances that will happen in the unknown year.  But we can know that God is faithful, merciful, forgiving, sovereign, holy and loving.  He is our power source...unless you know His Son as Savior and Lord, that power cannot help you.  Today, if you do not know Him as Savior, in a simple prayer, tell Him you're ready:  you admit you are a sinner, you believe Jesus is His Son and commit to follow Him the rest of your life.  Then, and only then, will the Holy Spirit indwell you and enable you to do His plan and gain His blessings.
 
Today, I commit to listen more, criticize less, share better, give more generously, be patient longer, hug tighter and to love and encourage all!  Starting today, know Him better, read and study His word, pray and trust Him with all things.  May the Lord bless and keep you in the New Year!
 
For further study:  Joshua 1:6-9, Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Cor. 9:24-25, Colossians 1:10-12, Hebrews 12:1-2,  1 Peter 2:9-12, 5:6-7, 2 Peter 1:3-4, 3:1-13, Rev. 21:6-7
 
May you be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
 
Love,
Holly

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