Is it just me or does it seem that each year the hands of the clock get wound a bit faster?
The pages of the calendar get turned a lot quicker?
The days and nights turn into more of a blur?
I do not make resolutions for the new year. Knowing me, if I did, I would have broken them by now, especially if it involved cutting back on my consumption of chocolate!
I'd like to share a few of the things which the Lord has laid upon my heart.
Memorizing Scripture
Throughout this new year, I'm endeavoring to put more of God's Word to memory.
When I need immediate help and victory over temptation, fear or anger.
When I'm in need of a word of strength, encouragement or comfort.
I'll already be equipped with God's Word hid in my heart and mind and be ready and prepared to put it into action!
"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart."
Proverbs 4:20-21
Not to put expectations upon others
This is a very huge struggle for me.
I expect others to totally "get" my life. To know exactly what it's like living with a life-altering chronic illness such as the one which I deal with!
Where did I ever get such a ludicrous idea?
And of course, along with the idea of people understanding my life, goes the idea that they should respond to me in "just the right way"!
And, yes, you guessed it, when others don't respond the way "I" think they should, I become discouraged, disappointed and depressed!
I know it's absolutely "way off base" thinking!
I NEED to really work this year on getting rid of this terrible, wrong, self-centered thinking.
"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him."
Psalm 62:5
Being more mindful of my words, the tone in which they are spoken and the "words" my body language speaks!
Oh how easy it is to say just the right words, but there's that pesky subtle tone in your voice or that "attitude" which is speaking volumes through your body language!
OUCH!
This one cut me right to the core!
It's an area of my life which the Lord has put His finger upon many times over the course of the past several months!
I'm truly praying during this new year, with the help of the Lord, that my words, the tone of my voice and my body language will all display the love, mercy and grace of my Saviour.
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."
Psalm 19:14
Using my time wisely
I've gotten into a bad habit of using the time right before I fall asleep as a means of catching up on the latest happenings on facebook.
I'm not saying it's a problem for everyone, but it sure is for me!
The Lord has "spoken" to me about this on several different occasions in the past. Each time the Lord spoke to me about it, I responded, prayed and made the commitment to make it a time of prayer. And I did well, for about a week or so, but then I quickly ditched the praying and headed right on over to facebook once again!
I'm praying that throughout 2017, my obedience in this area will win over what my flesh desires.
It may sound like such a simple thing, and I thought so too, but trust me, the struggle is very real!
"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
Psalm 90:12
Acknowledging My Blessings Immediately
I have a desire to get into the habit of verbally thanking the Lord for my blessings as they happen, and not waiting, necessarily, for a specific time to write them in a journal.
For example, there are many days, due to my symptoms of unbalance, vertigo, dizziness, etc., that it's extremely difficult to cook even a one pot dish for dinner. I want to be in a mode of thanksgiving on the "easy bake days"! Praising the Lord aloud as I maneuver around the kitchen on my "rolly" chair putting together a simple meal which my hard-working hubby and I can enjoy together!
Thanking the Lord aloud when we're in the truck headed out on a truck date!
Thanking the Lord aloud when I read His word and He convicts me about something I need to put into practice in my life or when something needs to be removed.
And, yes, even thanking the Lord aloud on the days when I must stay in bed and rest due to not feeling well!
The idea is thanking and praising the Lord "in the moment", not waiting for when I have my prayer journal open and in front of me.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for recording praises in a journal.
But the Lord has impressed upon me to be more mindful of praising Him "in the moment"
"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name."
Psalm 103:1
"Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord."
Psalm 150:6
If you have set goals for the new year, I would definitely love to read them.
Please share them in the comment section located below or send me a message at barb@castingyourcare.org. That way I can help you pray through your 2017 goals!
"As we look into 2017 we look at a block of time.
"We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds.
And all is a gift from God.
We have done nothing to deserve it, earn it, or purchased it.
Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life.
Obviously, time is one of our most precious possessions.
We can waste it.
We can worry over it.
We can spend it on ourselves.
Or, as good stewards, we can invest it in the kingdom of God.
The new year is full of time.
As the seconds tick away, will you be tossing time out the window, or will you make every minute count?"
Steven B. Cloud
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May God Bless You,
Barb
Linda
January 10, 2017 at 10:42 pmBarb, I'm with you - no resolutions because I would undoubtedly break them within a few weeks!! Thank you for sharing what God has spoken to you for this year. I can identify with some of them! I love the outline of months, days hours etc that we have in 2017. It's quite thought provoking - we need to number our days, use our time wisely, which sounds real simple, but in living day to day it's so easy to get distracted by ever do many things! Much love and hugs from over the seas. ❤