Well, like it or not, the holidays are officially OVER! Thanksgiving, done. Christmas, behind us. New Year's Day, yep, it's past. Today is January 3rd. Of course it's not JUST January 3rd, it is my mother's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!!!! I sure do love you and I pray for many many more birthdays for you!!!!!!!!!
Here in Missouri it is cold. Winter is truly here. The days are still short, the grass is brown, and spring is a long way away. This is the time of year that a lot of people really dread. That period of time after the holidays and before warm weather arrives. And for many people, it can be a sad, dreary time. A time of discouragement.
I want to encourage each one of you to not let this time of year overwhelm you. Because just like the holidays can bring pressure and stress, this time of year can bring its own set of emotions. God made every season. He made winter and He made the snow. He even directed the days to be shorter. So, instead of wishing these days away, use this time after the pressure of the holidays, and before those spring activities, to focus on God's will for your life this year. Last year is past. It is over. You can't go back. But this year lies before each one of us.
So today, as we experience the beginning of a new year, give God an opportunity to do a new thing in your life. Don't just SAY you're going to read the Bible more, or pray more. Make a PLAN to do those things and then stick to it. Set aside time each day to meditate on God's word. And don't just read the Bible and pray, but be obedient to His will. Don't just be a "hearer" of the Word, but a "doer" of the Word (James 1:22). You can't just KNOW what you need to do, you have to DO IT. Because NOT doing what you know you should be doing, is sin. ( James 4:17)
God has so much MORE for each one of us who want more of Him. But, in order to get more from Him, He wants more from us. As a matter of fact, He wants ALL of us. He wants our whole heart. Our whole soul. And in return, we get His love, His mercy, His peace.
He sure does love you and me. And that should make us smile even on a cold, dark day in January.
"This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 So today, rejoice!
I agree! And I like this time of the year. I can catch up on quilting and scrapbooking. Doing things inside and resting up before it's nice outside and I'm back on the lawn mower and gardening. Happy birthday to your mom!
ReplyDeleteHi Robbin,
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your Momma...how special! I'm sure she's tickled pink that you highlighted her in your wonderful blog!
Thank you for the January boost!! I do need it. January does tend to be my hardest month MENTALLY and so I will heed your encouragement and turn to the word.
I'm grateful to have a uplifting blog to turn to for comfort and encouragement. I always love visiting you! :0)
Hugs,
Tanya
Great post. God is so good and faithful!!
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled on to your blog and I have really enjoyed reading it. I can't wait to see what you write next!
ReplyDeleteYou have a new follower!
Have a Blessed Day!!
Happy Birthday to your Mother; may she enjoy more years of health and happiness.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the devotions...my goal is five chapters of the Bible each day and, if one starts on Jan 1, you're finished the Bible by mid-Sept.
Something else that helps me is listening to preachers on XM radio. Michael Youssef and Alistair Begg are on from 7 to 8 a.m. and they help fuel my day.