As we welcome in the New Year, it customarily follows that new resolutions are made, Bucket Lists are revised, and a myriad of other lists, promises and to-does are considered. Whereas I do not make resolutions, I do choose a word on which to focus that revolves around my personal relationship with Jesus Christ and personal growth in my walk. Over the past couple of years my words have been "surrender," "abide," and for this year "devotion." I must say that these are areas where I tend to keep my focus as I am walking through daily life. Trust me, there have been plenty of challenges for many in relationships with family, friends, and other loved ones, because it is part of life. Some such times of introspection and prayer are more difficult, and we can lose focus. But, for every test that comes our way, there is a way not to get lost in despair or hopelessness, and that is the message of the birth, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have an eternal hope that we can count on for all of eternity, if we believe, accept, and choose to follow Him. Prayer and daily Bible reading are essential if one wants to grow in relationship. Also, worship and waiting on the Lord to speak, but you have to have patience if you truly want to hear God's voice, and it happens in various ways. Just tell Him everything. Then wait and trust.
So, for anyone interested, anyone who needs to boost their faith or become more personally related to the Godhead, perhaps some suggestions would help. First of all, read your Bible every day, even if it is only one verse at a time , but it is best to read portions so the context is understood. After reading it, meditate on it making it personal, memorize it, and ask God to give you eyes to see and a heart to understand how it relates to you. Since 2015, after giving several Daily Walk Bibles (NLT - New Living Translation) to friends and family, I have been re-reading it myself for my daily quiet time. I am always highlighting, underlining, entering notes and prayers and answers to prayer in the margins. So, I don't have very much room left for comments after all these years, but I do journal as well, so no revelations are lost. I offer this translation to those new in the faith or to who are not quite ready to take on the Kings James Version. My first Bible was given to me in 1959 on Christmas Day by my daddy (KJV), and it is my most treasured possession. The pages are worn, wrinkled, torn and taped, but it holds so many notes that go back to remind myself of promises made by God to me personally when I was a child, teenager, and as a young adult. I have memorized countless passages and entire portions, and to this day I can remember and cite those I committed to memory. Being a paper/pencil/pen gal, "old school," I love to write scriptures down on 3 x 5 index cards for reference. One year I lined my computer monitor with scripture cards, as case management can become overwhelming even on the best days, and this is a way I can get "hugs" when they are most needed.
Many of my favorite authors have passed on to glory, but I still hang onto and share these books with friends I know will appreciate wisdom from saints of old who paved the way in missions or spiritual warfare, faith, and revival, because their lives bore fruit, so they are trustworthy. "Declaring God's Word," a 365 Day Devotional, by Derek Prince, one of the founders of Intercessors for America, is a great study in learning to know Christ intimately. "Abiding in the Secret Place" by Andrew Murray is one I love also. It is written in devotional style, but it does not cover the year if you read daily, but it is one you will read over and over again. I am on my third year reading both of these devotionals, because they are just that rich, and the advice or commentary is always relevant. So if you seriously want to grow closer to the Lord, both are excellent additions to your daily Walk through the Bible.
Over this year I am attempting to blog daily. Now, I know I missed January 1, but it was Sunday, and both Shabbat, on Saturday, and church services on Sunday are days of rest and reflection, so I may cut myself a little slack on the weekends. Still, if I am to accomplish the last thing God told me to do, then I have to blog to condition myself to finishing the book I have started so many times and never completed.
Lastly, but equally as important as prayer and Bible reading and meditation is worship. Singing hymns and songs and spiritual songs to Jesus, inviting His Presence. Gazing upon the cross as the finished work is a humbling experience. Knowing that He died for me, for you, for all, bearing our sin and shame. God become man here on earth, put to death for our sins so we could experience eternal life with no more pain and suffering. I cannot for the life of me understand how a third of the angels in heaven chose satan over Jesus. But I do know that Jesus paid for my sins in the worst death imaginable, His own Father turning His back, as a Holy God could not look on sin. As I watch the series The Chosen, I am becoming more and more amazed at this sacrifice on my behalf. Humbling beyond humbling. To gaze on His face, tear-streaked and bleeding, distorted from beatings, unrecognizable as the scripture confirms, breaks me and rips my heart in shreds. But the more I sit with Him, I feel his love and compassion for the lost sheep of this world. That lost sheep may be one of my readers, and if so, today can be the day you turn your life around by acknowledging your sins, accepting Christ as your Savior and Lord, and changing the way you think about things. He's waiting.
I hope you'll join me as we seek to know Him better by spending time in His Presence.
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