A NEW YEAR IS UPON US...

"For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:8-10, NKJV)



As the new year rapidly approaches--just hours away, many of us begin to contemplate the mistakes of the waning year, and look forward to a fresh start. Hopefully, we have grown in the year (almost behind us) and have learned new ways to handle the difficult situations and people in our lives. Prayerfully, we do not carry the old resentments, grudges, sins and errant behaviors into the future. In fact, it would be good if we would examine ourselves, daily, hourly, even moment by moment, assessing what things we need to abandon, and what we should put on.



Get rid of the things that bind us--carnality, silliness, talking too much, meanness, rebellious attitudes and behaviors and folly. This is another opportunity to begin to adorn ourselves with the beauty of holiness and the righteousness of God. It's a good time to shed the clothes of self-righteousness, coldness and indifference toward one another, and put on a new attitude of "esteeming one another more highly than ourselves". It's a great time to get fancy, dressed up in love and humility--casting off the filth of judgment, harshness, and self-seeking ways.



How can we do this? We must wash ourselves in the Word of God. Hiding it in our hearts, "that we might not sin against" God (and each other, for that matter!). You see, the Word, lived, keeps us from unrighteousness--not perfect, yet; but moving toward perfection, growing up in Christ, maturing in our ways and attitudes. It is our vocation--it's the work we have been called to. We have a manual--a guide. The Word of God will "order our steps" if we partake of it and purpose to instill it deep within--not just to know it, but to do it.



Today, as we get ready to usher in a new year, let us all purpose in hearts to take off the ways that "easily beset us", and "put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand", in this coming year. Make haste to get dressed for the battle, and keep your brother close, in heart, in prayer and in fellowship.



Have an abundantly blessed, and prosperous New Year!



Love and Blessings,

Lisa

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"DANGER OFTEN LURKS, WHERE DESTINY BECKONS"

I read this profoundly true phrase in a historical novel, by Christian author, Tommy Tenney. It was the story of Hadassah (Hebrew name)--or Queen Esther of Persia, as most of us regard her.When I read the phrase, it struck me. I thought, how true! We want the glory of our destiny, but no part of the process--often treacherous, that will get us there. Faith, however, requires some sacrifice, some trial, some work (James 2:20).I began to think back over my own life and my desire to get the prize, but always trying to avoid the battle wounds--only to find myself back at the starting point again and again. It was only after I made a decisive choice to submit my will to God, in the process of being molded, did I find the peace that I so desperately sought. When I stopped "kicking against the pricks", I found joy, in spite of difficult circumstances.Not only Hadassah recognized that where danger lurks, destiny beckons. The Word of God is full of hosts of characters that learned tha...
Read more

NAME CALLING

It may seem as if this blog is devoted to how we relate to one another, as Christians। I stand accused. The reason for this, is that I believe it ranks so high on the list that if we do not take corrective steps, many of "our greatest" will suffer. I am thinking in particular, today about the ways we use titles in our churches. I understand and agree with the need for some form of protocol. I see the proper use of some titles--those that are biblically-inspired. However, do we misuse them?I am of the belief, that titles, in our churches are out of control. What is the reason? I am going to suggest that it has something to do with the history of racism in America. I hate to focus on churches being "black" or "white", but this particular issue is a much bigger problem in the "black church". Here is my historical take on the issue. Black people in America, we know have had little or no power, until very recently. The only legitimate place (in partic...
Read more

Oh, that Fire, that Tongue, that Tongue...

In this day, we are pretty consumed with our bodies; we are very health and beauty-concious. We want very much to prolong our lives from the physical perspective and to look our best while we're at it. It isn't a bad thing at all, to have these pursuits, since the Bible declares that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit--and we should give them great care. There must be a prioritizing of things, however; our physical bodies are not first on God's list, but at the top of His list: that our "soul should prosper". The Scripture in Psalm 34, provides the formula for living a long and peaceful life. What must we do? First: KEEP THY TONGUE FROM EVIL ! That is striking! It is striking because, on the surface, it doesn't seem like such a big thing--in terms of prolonging life! Also, because often it seems as if this is the very thing we neglect to give care to, the most! We allow our tongues to say whatever they will without thought, or to lie--with great tho...
Read more