Out With the Old, In With the New

I can't believe it is New Year's Eve already...and here we sit, like most "old folks", sitting quietly at home watching football, reading, and/or writing, thinking about the past year and all of its blessings, looking forward to the New Year, and praying for what is yet to be.

In our devotions this morning we read from Colossians 3.  There were so many good pearls of wisdom there for the New Year that I thought I would share a few with you.

2.  "Set your mind on things above,

not on things on the earth."

12.  "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

13.  bearing with one another,

and forgiving one another, 

if anyone has a complaint against another; 

even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

14.  But above all these things put on love,

which is the bond of perfection.

15.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, 

to which also you were called in one body;

and be thankful.

16.  Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17.  And whatever you do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

These words really struck me hard as I read them this morning.  I've been struggling with some of these...verse 12, 13, 14...you know those words about being kind, humble, meek and "longsuffering"? And then bearing with one another...forgiving (I think I do okay on that, but then I realize that I probably don't do as well as I think sometimes...) and then verse 14..."put on love,... the bond of perfection"...this is another area where much improvement is needed.

I need verse 15: "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts...and be thankful."  Yes, I struggle with that one too. Peace...and being thankful...in all things? Yes, in all things!  (I Thessalonians 5:18)

So, as we stand on the threshold of 2018, I'm searching my heart to see if I can live up to these admonitions for Christian living as found in Colossians chapter 3.  I will need a lot of help from the Lord to meet His standards.   

Verse 17 tells me that "whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

The past several days I have been searching for my new "One Word" for 2018.  Last year's word was REST, and it was a beneficial word for me in many ways...both spiritually and physically.  Here is a list of all the previous "One Word" selections (and links to them) since the beginning of this in 2012:

One Word 2012: Hope

One Word 2013: Presence

One Word 2014: Strengthen

One Word 2015: Focus

One Word 2016: Grace

One Word 2017: Rest

With such an auspicious list as that, you'd think I would have my act together by now...but alas! I don't.   There is still so much to learn and do.  Actually, as an "old Christian", I think what is really needed here is  to "RENEW" my faith and hope and spiritual vitality.  Yes, that's the word!! Renew, Renewal, Renewing...yes...and here is a key verse to start me off right:

"And do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 

that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Romans 12:2

Okay, Lord! Renew is the word for 2018.  I have a feeling there are going to be some changes being made in the way I do things in the New Year.  I pray it will bring about positive and lasting improvement in my walk with the Lord...and with my fellow "man".  Amen.

Happy New Year everyone!