What's "New" with you?

What will your "New Year Resolutions" be?  Lose weight, usually tops the list.  Other things folks tend to think about is spending more time with loved ones or "spring cleaning" comes to mind along with organizing ones space. However, loftier goals are nearer to a believers heart.

Morning devotion finds this blogger in Colossians 3.12-16.  The Apostle begins by stating what we should "put on."  So, here goes the list of things this blogger will, Lord willing, attempt to "resolve" in the next year.

More mercy - be thoughtful of whomever you are dealing with.  One can never know the story behind the individual in front of you.

• More kindness - all too often I am given to hurry up and go to the next thing.  I want to "resolve" to slow down and see the need.
• Humility of mind.  Uggh, how proud and lofty I think myself when comparing my abilities to others.  I'm more mature, more experienced....so what!  Again, slowing down and really looking at who or what is in front of me will cause humility to prevail.
• Meekness - read the previous point.  The Lord Jesus was definitely meek and mild. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me...for I Am meek and lowly... (Mt 11.29)
• Long-suffering.  How often am I in such a rush as to miss the pain and heartache in front of me?  Lord, forgive my impatience.  Spiritual maturity causes a gentle spirit to prevail while teaching or training another.
• Forgiveness.  One of the harder aspects in a believers life.  To keep a forgiving spirit when unjustly accused, wrongly done or feeling unvalidated.
• Thankful heart.  Definitely a goal for 2024.  "In every thing give thanks."  Why?  "For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (I Thes 5.18)
• Psalms and Hymns - When thinking on all that's good, true and honest and pure... (Phil 4.8) it is better to look up instead of around.  Life is difficult enough without dwelling on ones circumstances or the harsh things around us.
• More of His Word to add to wisdom.  (Col 3.16)  One can have knowledge without the wisdom to apply it.
• Ps 57.7 - bottom line

So, What's New with you this year?

Blessings, dear reader, as you enter 2024

Shedding worldly weights, trials and pain

Lately, this blogger has been given to focus on what really matters.  One thinks an unsettling emotion of perhaps envy or jealousy is conquered, then BOOM!  One little circumstance totally crushes the spirit giving way to a really bad attitude.  The solution? First, of course, in Jesus' Name ask forgiveness for such an attitude.  THEN, focus on what awaits when this life is done!  For every believer this is the only hope.  Much more could be added in thought and scripture but below are just a few verses on the subject that speak truth alone.  

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Rom 12.12

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Rom 15.13

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jer 29.11

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isa 40.31

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isa 41.10

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.  Ps 39.7

The prayer of this blogger is that the reader will discover a way beyond whatever may be discouraging at this time.  

God bless and keep you is my prayer,  Ps 57.7, Num 6.24