What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Sunday, December 31, 2017

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:



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!

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12 comments:

  1. Happy and Blessed New Year to you and you chose a good word, renew.

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  2. "...and be thankful."

    So thankful.

    As I read your list of words I thought of something that would be really cool. What if we somehow found a way to compile a list ahead of time? :) We'd have our usual grace, hope, change...but then 2022 would be like: WOW! And we would all wonder what that meant. Haha.

    Happy New Year, Pamela. I am thankful for this blog! It is always uplifting.

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    1. Thankful was going to be my word, but God redirected me to renew as I progressed in the thought process and scriptures. Being Thankful is something I am striving to do all the time regardless of the year. Right now I think I need renewal to help me be more thankful. Does that make sense? It does to me. Your list idea is intriguing. Not sure I understand...you mean make up a list now for the future years and then forget it until the time comes? I kind of like that God just helps me find the word each year as I pray and seek His face and direction. As He speaks to my heart something happens and He shows me the way He wants me to go. At least that is how it has been thus far. I listed them all here so I can remember them in years to come. It's good to go back and refresh my memory of where I've been and how far I've come. Happy New Year sweet friend!!

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    2. I meant like we are handed a list and can flip ahead. :)

      Renewal speaks to me too. It's all good. We are getting there!

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  3. Happy New Year, Pam! Renew is a wonderful word for 2018 ... I need to renew my heart and mind also! God bless you!

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    Replies
    1. Let's work on this together, then!! God will be able to take care of both of us at the same time, I am certain!! Blessings dear friend.

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  4. My word for 2017 was simplify. don't have one yet for 2018 so I will continue with this for now. Mind you, renew is a very good word.
    Blessings for 2018.

    Diana

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    1. Thank you, Diana. I pray it will be a very good word for me in 2018. I know God has some things in mind that need some renewing in my life. So it will be interesting to see how it all comes together!!

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  5. Renew . . . the perfect word, Pamela! I'll be revealing mine on my Friday blog. It may seem unusual on the surface, but I'm hoping folks will understand why it is the word for me in 2018.
    Blessings in the New Year!

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    Replies
    1. I can't wait to see what it is!! Now you have my curiosity peaked!! happy New Year to you as well dear friend.

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  6. I like your 2018 word. It has been interesting to me that my word for last year (Change) just presented itself to me and the one I have chosen for this year presented itself to me about two months ago. I have been thinking about it since then and it seems to fit me. Fellowship. More about that later! :)

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  7. I like this Word for the Year trend. I wonder where it started. I first encountered it on a blog a few years ago. A great idea!

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