In
preparation for the New Year, the Christmas decorations have been taken down
and stored for another year. We have
cleaned, organized, and stored other things in order to help with the
process. Larry even mowed the green grass
that is continuing to grow, in order for the yard to be ready for spring.
This is
one of my favorite weeks as I get ready for the beginning of a brand new
year. The address list has been updated,
the Christmas gift list for next year has been started, the Bible study reading
plan has been chosen, the new calendar has events and appointments filled in, and
the budget is being finalized. We have
been blessed to be able to spend lots of time with family and have a change of
pace for a few days.
As we
prepare for a new year, it is also a time to renew goals for spiritual, physical,
and mental growth. Setting priorities
sometimes means saying “No” or “Not now” to some good things so that the
“Better” and “Best” things can be accomplished.
It’s time to eliminate some practices, redefine some, and add
others. C. S. Lewis reminds us that,
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” And when you know the One who makes all
things new, you don’t have to wait for a new year to start over. Every day has a new beginning. And we even have an extra day in 2016! It’s a great time to remind ourselves that…
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new
creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Sing
to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his
holy arm have worked salvation for him.
Psalm 98:1
Because
of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
for his compassions never fail.
They
are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
I
will give you a new heart and
put a new spirit in you; I will
remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26
You were taught, with regard to your former
way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its
deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your
minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God
in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance
that can never perish, spoil or fade.
I Peter 1:3-4a
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