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!

The Secret Garden Chronicles~"Set Your Mind on Things Above"

After a couple of days of rain and chilly wind, it is finally sunny enough to sit in the Secret Garden this evening.  And it feels so good to be here!  Lord, I've missed our daily communion.  This has become "our special place", and I feel cheated when I don't get to come sit awhile with You each day.

I come to You as a soldier, reporting for duty, standing at attention, saluting my Savior with my whole heart, ready for orders.  And I hear You saying to me instead, "At ease, soldier." And then You spoke to me much like You spoke to Martha of old...

"Martha, Martha, (Pamela, Pamela) you are worried and troubled about many things.

But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:41-42

And I sat down in the garden, and said, "Yes, Lord...You know me so well.  You've seen me tossing and turning at night, and stressing over earthly things that I have no control over. Forgive me, Lord. I keep forgetting to "let go and let God" handle these details of life."

And then I was directed to look at the book of Colossians, Chapter Three. And it was as if the Lord was speaking directly to me through the Apostle Paul's writings:

Verses 1-2

1.  "If then you were raised with Christ, 

seek those things which are above,

where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

2.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."

I commend to your reading Verses 12-17, but I was directed toward verses 15-17 in particular:

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."

Such a peace came over my spirit, as I realized that what I've been doing is exactly what the Lord wants me to do here...sharing His Word with my friends and anyone who will listen..."teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." 

 I don't have to have all the answers or be the smartest writer...just share God's Word...especially the Psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs...and do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus...giving thanks to God the Father through Him...and He will bless this place and bring peace and joy to all who come.   

Thank You, Lord, for teaching me this truth today. 

Thank You for helping me to

fix my eyes on things above 

and not so much on things of the earth.

And Thank You for giving me 

this opportunity to serve You.

Amen.

Even the chickadee seemed more at ease today, and didn't seem to mind my being there.