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12-27-2007, 07:43 PM
If this is to be a Happy New Year, a year of usefulness, a year in which we shall live to make this earth better, it is because God will direct our pathway. How important then, to feel our dependence upon Him! --Matthew Simpson
As we grow older in life, years somehow seem to shorten and New Year's Day approaches with an ever increasing tempo. The more mature we get, the more we realize that time is only relative; how we live means more than how long we live. Haply also we do not live by years, but by days. In His wisdom God does not show us all that lies ahead. So we enter a new year to live it day by day. What is past is past. Today we start anew, and what we do today will make our life for tomorrow. Chin up, shoulders straight, eyes agleam, let us salute the New Year, and each day let us follow more faithfully, more courageously, more daringly the lead of our great Captain who bids us follow Him. --William Thomson Hanzsche
When Christ entered our world, he didn't come to brighten our Decembers, but to transform our lives. --Rich Miller
It is when we try to make our will conform with God's that we begin to use it rightly.
Even as we pray for a change in our circumstances, we should also pray that God will accomplish His plan through us right where we are.
Every morning ask God to show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love to all we shall meet that day.
It's never to late to turn to God.
Let us not forget the gift of laughter that God gave us.
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Successful New Year's Resolutions
At the beginning of every year, many New Year's Resolutions are made and promptly broken within a few months or even a few days. Why is it so for us hard for us to keep our resolutions? It's because we don't involve God in the process of setting our goals. This year, when you make your New Year's Resolutions, put a spiritual focus on them by following these biblical principles.
1. Pleasing the Lord with your goals - Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (NIV)
As you make your resolutions, make them with the Lord in mind. Think about what areas of your character you know God would be pleased for you to change. Ask yourself, "What does God what me to do with my life this year?"
2. Be realistic - Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. (NIV)
Don't set yourself up for failure by picking goals that are impracticable. You'll become discouraged and give up before you see any results. Instead, select a few goals that are most important. Make sure that the goals stretch you a little beyond your comfort zone but are still attainable. Rome wasn't built in a day and your goals shouldn't try to revamp your whole life in one year.
3. Define specific steps for each goal - Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (NIV)
Jesus had a plan for everything he did. There was never a time when he "winged" it. Don't expect to be successful without a plan. Each goal needs to be defined in terms of the steps that are needed to see the goal to fruition. Be specific and write down exactly how you will accomplish each goal.
4. Set a completion date for each goal - Proverbs 20:4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. (NIV)
You also need to set a time frame for achieving each goal, otherwise the temptation to put off or forget about your resolutions will bring you to the end of the year without any victories. Don't be like the sluggard who looks for a harvest but finds nothing. Plow in season so that you will have something to reap at harvest time.
5. Praying daily about your goals - Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (NIV)
When we put God in charge of our goals we will succeed. It is His promise!
6. Monitor you progress - 2 Chronicles 24:13a The men in charge of the work were diligent, and the repairs progressed under them. (NIV)
Set a time every month to review your goals and check your progress. If you are diligent you will see progress. You might even want to develop a chart so that you can chronicle your progress. As you achieve each goal you can reward yourself with a predetermined prize such as going to your favorite restaurant or a new outfit.
7. Don't Give Up - James 5:11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Don't give up when you blow it. When you miss the mark, get back up and keep trying. You only fail when you quit.
Goal Categories
Below are some categories from which you can select your resolutions. Try to choose one goal from each category and remember not to go overboard.
1. Spiritual - Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
Spiritual goals can be anything that will help you to grow in your relationship with God: committing to reading the Bible and praying daily, praying about and working on changing an area of your character that is not in line with God's will (ask your spouse or a friend for input).
2. Family - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. (NIV)
Make goals to help your children grow spiritually. God has given you the charge of teaching them about Him. What you do now will have a profound effect on their desire to know God as they get older, especially in their teen years. Make goals for weekly family times that include short Bible studies and discipling. Make a plan to teach them how to put what they learn each week into practice through practical applications. Teach them to pray by praying with them daily. The best way to teach your children is through your personal example. Children will rebel against anything your try to teach them about God if you live a "do as I say not as I do" lifestyle. This may be something to think about when you make your own spiritual goals.
3. Home - Titus 2:5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (NIV)
Goals for home improvement come under this heading: painting, decorating, landscaping, etc. These are things that will make your home more inviting, functional and organized.
4. Physical - 1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)
These goals are related to your body: getting to the doctor for an annual check up, loosing weight, getting in shape, quitting a bad habit, updating your hair style, etc.
5. Social - Romans 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (NIV)
This goal is for building friendships and serving others. Have a couple over for dinner, meet neighbors you don't know, volunteer with a non-profit organization, or become a secret buddy to a needy family.
6. Work - Proverbs 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (NIV)
If you work out side the home or have your own home-based business, this is where you make your goals for your job. If you are a stay at home mom, this is where you make goals for your volunteer work.
7. Financial - Proverbs 3: 9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (NIV)
Yes, it is all right for Christians to have financial goal. In fact it is wise to have such goals. By putting biblical financial principals into action you honor God with your finances. God promises His blessings in when we do things His way.
8. Wisdom - Proverbs 24:3-4 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (NIV)
This goal should be something to help you grow mentally. Make a resolution to go back to school, learn a new skill, or take up a hobby.
9. Recreation - Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.
The Lord wants us to enjoy life. Plan a family vacation, take up a hobby (or work on one you haven't done in a while), spend time with your friends; plan special times with your spouse.
This New Year can be a victorious one with your priorities in line with His will. He wants you to be successful. Make the most of every opportunity by making your goals spiritually focused. God's way is the best way. --By Martha Matthews
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Resolutions
Let us cast away the sin of deception ---- so that we will mislead no one in word or in deed, nor pretend to be what we are not.
Let us cast away the sin of vain ambition --- which prompts us to strive for goals which bring neither true fulfillment nor genuine contentment.
Let us cast away the sin of stubbornness --- so that we will neither persist in foolish habits nor fail to acknowledge our will to change.
Let us cast away the sin of envy --- so that we will neither be consumed by desire for what we lack nor grow unmindful of the blessings which are already ours.
Let us cast away the sin of selfishness --- which keeps us from enriching our lives through wider concerns and greater sharing, and from reaching out in love to other human beings.
Let us cast away the sin of indifference --- so that we may be sensitive to the sufferings of others and responsive to the needs of people everywhere.
Let us cast away the sin of pride and arrogance --- so that we can worship God and serve His purpose in humility and truth.
--Author Unknown
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Who Invented New Year's Resolutions?
Okay, now to answer the questions we all really want to know about New Year's resolutions. The tradition is as old as New Year's celebrations. The Babylonians celebrated New Years Day over four thousand years ago, although their celebration was in March rather than in January, coinciding with the spring planting of crops.
So if you must break your resolution, break it with pride! You'll be continuing a long tradition of broken resolutions dating back to the dawn of recorded history! And if you had a false start, why you can start again in March, ŕ la Babylonia!
The New Year, no matter when people have celebrated it, has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's time to reflect on the changes we want, or often need, if we're to have the motivation move forward. Resolutions are a reflection of the Babylonians' belief that what a person does on the first day of the New Year will have an effect throughout the entire year. Think about that at the New Year's party! --Author Unknown
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Happy New Year Recipe For Peace & Happiness
Take twelve, fine, full-grown months, see that these are thoroughly free from all old memories of bitterness, rancor, hate and jealousy; cleanse them completely from every clinging spite: pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short , see that these
months are freed from all the past; have them as fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time.
Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. This batch will keep for just one year. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot in this way), but prepare one day at a time, as follows: Into each day put twelve parts of faith, eleven of patience, ten of courage, nine of of work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of
the rest), eight of hope, seven of fidelity, six of liberality, five of kindness, four of rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the
salad, don't do it), three of prayer, two of meditation, and one well selected resolution. If you have no conscientious scruples, put in about a teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.
Pour into the whole love ad libitum and mix with a vim. Cook thoroughly in a fervent heat; garnish with a few smiles and a sprig of joy; then serve with quietness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness, and a Happy New Year is certain. --H.M.S
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ALL THINGS NEW?
The boundary of the New Year marks one of the most important landmarks of our lives. To cross it is to make a transition that is irreversible: once we step over the line into a new January, we find that the old December is gone forever.
We prepare for the new year with celebrations to mark the change, with resolutions to shape our future, and with renewed interest in life. But, like a wise man said long ago, we find that there is "nothing new under the sun", and soon all the old problems will re-surface, except that they will have 2003 written on them, and not 2002.
It is right into this cycle of life that the Gospel of Jesus Christ comes with its great claims of hope and peace, its promise of better days, and its comforting grace, moment by moment along life's way. "...if anyone is in Christ", wrote someone who passed over many boundaries in his life, "he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul often crossed the line; some things he regretted. But he never regretted the day Jesus took him across the line from hopelessness to purpose, from emptiness to reality, from delusion to Christ.
Jesus made all things new for him. He gave him new purpose, new meaning in life. He gave him new desires, new motives for living. He gave him new hope, new glimpses of the future. He gave him new grace, and a new song: a song of love to the God-man whose death redeemed him from sin, whose life empowered him for service, whose prayers surrounded him in danger, whose word sustained him in life and death.
Paul knew a new Paul. In Christ Jesus, he said, nothing matters but the new creation (Galatians 6:15). As you cross the boundary line into the threshold of a new year, may the grace of God make all things new for you. --Author Unknown
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Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever Hebrews 13:5
The beginning of a new year is a time for reflection and evaluation - a time to think about what has gone before, and to look ahead to what is to come. It is a time for renewal, for a new start, for beginning again.
For many people it is a sad and lonely time. Perhaps past months brought heartache, trial and pain. Perhaps there has been sorrow and bereavement, and separation from loved ones. These troubles make it difficult to start out afresh. Perhaps the months ahead are full of foreboding, filled with the prospect of difficult mountains to climb and deep rivers to cross. We can sometimes face the beginning of a year with fear rather than with hope.
Whatever our lot at the beginning of the new year, there is a statement in the Bible which ought to lift our eyes and our hearts heavenwards, to the one place where there can be certainty for us in an uncertain and changing world. Jesus, says the writer to the Hebrews, does not change. There is with him no alteration, no shadow of turning. In all our yesterdays, for all our todays, and into all our tomorrows, he is the source and fountain of all salvation, the truth the world needs.
He is the same in his glorious Person. All the fulness of the godhead still resides in him. His incarnation emptied him of nothing. The prerogatives of God are with him, and in himself there is still the attracting, drawing power of one who is fairer than the sons of men. The answer to the world's problems - indeed, the answer to all our problems, rests not in a religion, but in a person - in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose stature and glory are not diminished with the passing of the years.
He is the same in his glorious Promises. The word by which he communicates the message of his gospel to a lost world is constant, as he himself is. What he spoke he spoke finally, and with authority. And all his promises are suited to the needs and the difficulties of men. Are we in trouble? He says "Fear not - my grace is sufficient for you". Are we lonely? He says "I will be with you". Are we in need of direction? He says - "I will guide you". In all things, he has made his word a light to our feet and a lamp to our path.
He is the same in his glorious Presence. He walks life's way along with his people, never leaving them, never forsaking them. To the end of the age he has undertaken to be the counselor, friend and guide of all who put their trust in him.
To walk into a new year is to walk into the unknown. It is to traverse new paths, and to walk along new roads. But he who holds the future knows what the future holds. And the Jesus Christ who is untarnished and unchanged with the passing of the months has promised to walk alongside his people wherever they may be.
May the Christ of God, the only Lord and Saviour, be your guide and portion in the new year. --Author Unknown
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Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns
Be still and discern the shaking, for the voice of the Lord has come forth to shake the foundations of the earth. This is a spiritual earthquake to loose the chains of darkness and set captives free. I call to those who have become complacent in their places of confinement and restrictions, limited by hindering forces, and I call to you to come forth and shake off the restrictions that you have allowed to rule over you. Loose yourself from your chains and rise up in the liberty of My Spirit, says the Lord. Acts 16:26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
Beloved, take the time to rise above the natural realm and everything that demands your attention, and come up to Me in the Spirit and be renewed and refreshed in My presence. This supernatural infusion will be like a breath of fresh air that will restore and invigorate you. You are at a pivotal point in your spiritual progression and on the threshold of a new season that will require maximum strength and concentration if you are to gain the highest benefit from all that it offers. A regular and frequent spiritual impartation will establish you in the flow of My Spirit. Come to Me, says the Lord. Revelation 11:12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here."
You had to brace yourself and stand strong in order to endure the trials that you've encountered. But, much of what you had to do to overcome these difficulties has also caused your heart to harden in an effort to protect yourself from trouble. I say, the worst is over. Relax, and trust Me to be your Shield, for you are not alone. I have not left you to fight your battles by yourself; I am with you. I am your very present help in times of trouble. Now, I call you My tender-hearted one, for the hard shell around your tender heart will melt as you remember My great love for you, says the Lord. Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Face the things you dread. Ignoring difficult circumstances will not make them go away. If you will courageously face your difficult trials you will find that I have been there the whole time to give wisdom and direction and to bring you through in dignity and victory. I am your help in troubled times, and My grace is sufficient to every task. Do not be afraid to confront, and do so with the determination and confidence that you are not alone in this battle, says the Lord. Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Beloved, there are always two roads before you -- one that always leads to and produces life in you and everyone and everything around you. The other leads to death and destruction, and it also affects everyone and everything around you. You will choose the path you take by the decisions you make daily. If you cannot decide what to do in any situation push each option to its ultimate logical conclusion, and ask Me to give you the wisdom you need to choose wisely, says the Lord. Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."
I had a dream about trying to go back to a place from my past, and it was really hard. This was the dream: I had been offered a job with a brokerage firm and had been given office space that I would share with someone. In the meantime, a woman from our church wanted me to braid her hair, but I didn't have time because I needed to get to work. I had trouble finding the office building and then trouble finding the elevator and then trouble finding the door to my office. Once I got there the guy that I shared the space with could see that I was distraught. I began to not want to make the calls necessary to develop a client base or to read the Wall Street Journal or Reuter's every day. I didn't want the stress of setting up another computer or proving myself to my new associates. So, my office mate talked to me about being in a wrong place and not going through with this new venture associated with my past. I felt so lost and out of the flow, so I took his advice and walked away from it. I believe this dream is not just a warning to me but perhaps to many in the Body of Christ, and it has to do with resisting the temptation to go back to old places that were once lucrative or presented some place of security (stockbrokers deal in "securities.") Trying to go back will take us out of the flow of the Spirit because the flow never takes us backwards, but always moves us forward. The woman in the dream has to do with places of ministry, and the fact that I had no time for her represents a wrong focus and misplaced priorities. I believe my office-mate represents the Holy Spirit who will keep us from making wrong choices.
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Poem For The New Year
God grant us this year a wider view,
So we see others' faults through the eyes of You;
Teach us to judge not with hasty tongue,
Neither the adult ... nor the young.
Give us patience and grace to endure
And a stronger faith so we feel secure;
And instead of remembering, help us forget
The irritations that caused us to fret.
Freely forgiving for some offense
And finding each day a rich recompense,
In offering a friendly, helping hand
And trying in all ways to understand,
That all of us whoever we are ...
Are trying to reach "an unreachable star."
For the great and small ... the good and bad,
The young and old ... the sad and glad,
Are asking today, "Is life worth living?"
And the answer is only in "loving" and "giving."
For only "Love" can make us kind
And Kindness of Heart brings Peace of Mind,
And by giving love we can start this year
To lift the clouds of hate and fear.
--Helen Steiner Rice
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EACH NEW DAY
Greet each new year
Without any fear.
Jesus will guide you,
Walking beside you.
Greet each new day
In the joyful way.
Jesus is dearer
And one day nearer.
Greet each new face
Full of God's free grace.
Tell them that Jesus
Yearns to receive us.
So greet each new day,
The victory way.
You keep abiding;
God keeps providing.
Updated December 21,2002
--FEAR NOT
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Rules for Holy Living
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:1-17
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:10-13
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
This is what the Lord asks of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John:14
27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn" 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - 36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' 37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Matthew 10:27-40
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:24-26
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Wishing You a Happy New Year
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV).
"A legend tells the story of a fisherman called Aaron. Aaron lived on the banks of a river. Walking home with his eyes half-closed one evening after a hard day's work, he was dreaming of what he could do if he were rich. As he walked his foot struck against a leather pouch filled with what seemed to him to be small stones.
"Absentmindedly he picked up the pouch and began throwing the pebbles into the water. 'When I am a rich man,' he said to himself, 'I'll have a large house.' And he threw another pebble into the river. He threw another one and thought, 'My wife and I will have servants and rich food, and many fine things.' And this went on until just one stone was left. As Aaron held it in his hand, a ray of light caught it and made it sparkle. He then realized that it was a valuable gem. He had been throwing away the real riches in his hand, while he dreamed of unreal riches in the future."
As we start a fresh New Year, let us remember all the riches we have in Christ Jesus, and all the blessings from God that we do have and not overlook these because of all the things we don't have—many of which for many of us we don't even need in order to live a contented and happy life.
As Charles Dickens once said, "Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."
Contentment and happiness come from within and not from circumstances without. They come from changing the things we can and need to change, from accepting and learning to live with the things we cannot change—and having the wisdom to know the difference. They come from the attitude of one's heart and mind, and learning to trust God in everything.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for all the blessings that I have in Christ Jesus and the manifold blessings I receive at your hand every day. Open the eyes of my understanding so that I can see these, thank you for them, and rejoice always in them. I commit and trust my life and way to you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
--Daily Encounter
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Lord, let us hold back nothing, but give all we are and have for Christ. Amen.
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Read Through The Bible
Exodus 12
The Passover
1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 2 "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. 3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. 4 If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. 5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. 6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. 7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. 8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. 9 Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts. 10 Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. 11 This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover. 12 "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. 14 "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD -a lasting ordinance. 15 For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel. 16 On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat—that is all you may do. 17 "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. 18 In the first month you are to eat bread made without yeast, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day. 19 For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel, whether he is an alien or native-born. 20 Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread." 21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. 23 When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. 24 "Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. 25 When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. 26 And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' 27 then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.' " Then the people bowed down and worshiped. 28 The Israelites did just what the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron. 29 At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well. 30 Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead.
The Exodus
31 During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. 32 Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me." 33 The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. "For otherwise," they said, "we will all die!" 34 So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. 35 The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. 36 The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians. 37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. 38 Many other people went up with them, as well as large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds. 39 With the dough they had brought from Egypt, they baked cakes of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves. 40 Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years. 41 At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD's divisions left Egypt. 42 Because the LORD kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the LORD for the generations to come.
Passover Restrictions
43 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "These are the regulations for the Passover: "No foreigner is to eat of it. 44 Any slave you have bought may eat of it after you have circumcised him, 45 but a temporary resident and a hired worker may not eat of it. 46 "It must be eaten inside one house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones. 47 The whole community of Israel must celebrate it. 48 "An alien living among you who wants to celebrate the LORD's Passover must have all the males in his household circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land. No uncircumcised male may eat of it. 49 The same law applies to the native-born and to the alien living among you." 50 All the Israelites did just what the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron. 51 And on that very day the LORD brought the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.
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A Prayer for the New Year
Come, Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Risen Christ, be with us today and always. Be our Light, our Guide, and our Comforter. Be our Strength, our Courage, and our Sanctifier. May this new year be a time of deep spiritual growth for us, A time of welcoming your graces and gifts, A time for forgiving freely and unconditionally, A time for growing in virtue and goodness. Come, Holy Spirit. Be with us today and always. Amen.
Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again. If you do not have Jesus in your life and wish to ask Jesus into your life please go to this link now to do so: http://www.christianrecoveryministries.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22 . Jesus is calling you to live a life that matters.
As we grow older in life, years somehow seem to shorten and New Year's Day approaches with an ever increasing tempo. The more mature we get, the more we realize that time is only relative; how we live means more than how long we live. Haply also we do not live by years, but by days. In His wisdom God does not show us all that lies ahead. So we enter a new year to live it day by day. What is past is past. Today we start anew, and what we do today will make our life for tomorrow. Chin up, shoulders straight, eyes agleam, let us salute the New Year, and each day let us follow more faithfully, more courageously, more daringly the lead of our great Captain who bids us follow Him. --William Thomson Hanzsche
When Christ entered our world, he didn't come to brighten our Decembers, but to transform our lives. --Rich Miller
It is when we try to make our will conform with God's that we begin to use it rightly.
Even as we pray for a change in our circumstances, we should also pray that God will accomplish His plan through us right where we are.
Every morning ask God to show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love to all we shall meet that day.
It's never to late to turn to God.
Let us not forget the gift of laughter that God gave us.
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Successful New Year's Resolutions
At the beginning of every year, many New Year's Resolutions are made and promptly broken within a few months or even a few days. Why is it so for us hard for us to keep our resolutions? It's because we don't involve God in the process of setting our goals. This year, when you make your New Year's Resolutions, put a spiritual focus on them by following these biblical principles.
1. Pleasing the Lord with your goals - Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (NIV)
As you make your resolutions, make them with the Lord in mind. Think about what areas of your character you know God would be pleased for you to change. Ask yourself, "What does God what me to do with my life this year?"
2. Be realistic - Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. (NIV)
Don't set yourself up for failure by picking goals that are impracticable. You'll become discouraged and give up before you see any results. Instead, select a few goals that are most important. Make sure that the goals stretch you a little beyond your comfort zone but are still attainable. Rome wasn't built in a day and your goals shouldn't try to revamp your whole life in one year.
3. Define specific steps for each goal - Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (NIV)
Jesus had a plan for everything he did. There was never a time when he "winged" it. Don't expect to be successful without a plan. Each goal needs to be defined in terms of the steps that are needed to see the goal to fruition. Be specific and write down exactly how you will accomplish each goal.
4. Set a completion date for each goal - Proverbs 20:4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. (NIV)
You also need to set a time frame for achieving each goal, otherwise the temptation to put off or forget about your resolutions will bring you to the end of the year without any victories. Don't be like the sluggard who looks for a harvest but finds nothing. Plow in season so that you will have something to reap at harvest time.
5. Praying daily about your goals - Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (NIV)
When we put God in charge of our goals we will succeed. It is His promise!
6. Monitor you progress - 2 Chronicles 24:13a The men in charge of the work were diligent, and the repairs progressed under them. (NIV)
Set a time every month to review your goals and check your progress. If you are diligent you will see progress. You might even want to develop a chart so that you can chronicle your progress. As you achieve each goal you can reward yourself with a predetermined prize such as going to your favorite restaurant or a new outfit.
7. Don't Give Up - James 5:11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Don't give up when you blow it. When you miss the mark, get back up and keep trying. You only fail when you quit.
Goal Categories
Below are some categories from which you can select your resolutions. Try to choose one goal from each category and remember not to go overboard.
1. Spiritual - Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
Spiritual goals can be anything that will help you to grow in your relationship with God: committing to reading the Bible and praying daily, praying about and working on changing an area of your character that is not in line with God's will (ask your spouse or a friend for input).
2. Family - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. (NIV)
Make goals to help your children grow spiritually. God has given you the charge of teaching them about Him. What you do now will have a profound effect on their desire to know God as they get older, especially in their teen years. Make goals for weekly family times that include short Bible studies and discipling. Make a plan to teach them how to put what they learn each week into practice through practical applications. Teach them to pray by praying with them daily. The best way to teach your children is through your personal example. Children will rebel against anything your try to teach them about God if you live a "do as I say not as I do" lifestyle. This may be something to think about when you make your own spiritual goals.
3. Home - Titus 2:5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (NIV)
Goals for home improvement come under this heading: painting, decorating, landscaping, etc. These are things that will make your home more inviting, functional and organized.
4. Physical - 1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)
These goals are related to your body: getting to the doctor for an annual check up, loosing weight, getting in shape, quitting a bad habit, updating your hair style, etc.
5. Social - Romans 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (NIV)
This goal is for building friendships and serving others. Have a couple over for dinner, meet neighbors you don't know, volunteer with a non-profit organization, or become a secret buddy to a needy family.
6. Work - Proverbs 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (NIV)
If you work out side the home or have your own home-based business, this is where you make your goals for your job. If you are a stay at home mom, this is where you make goals for your volunteer work.
7. Financial - Proverbs 3: 9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (NIV)
Yes, it is all right for Christians to have financial goal. In fact it is wise to have such goals. By putting biblical financial principals into action you honor God with your finances. God promises His blessings in when we do things His way.
8. Wisdom - Proverbs 24:3-4 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (NIV)
This goal should be something to help you grow mentally. Make a resolution to go back to school, learn a new skill, or take up a hobby.
9. Recreation - Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.
The Lord wants us to enjoy life. Plan a family vacation, take up a hobby (or work on one you haven't done in a while), spend time with your friends; plan special times with your spouse.
This New Year can be a victorious one with your priorities in line with His will. He wants you to be successful. Make the most of every opportunity by making your goals spiritually focused. God's way is the best way. --By Martha Matthews
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Resolutions
Let us cast away the sin of deception ---- so that we will mislead no one in word or in deed, nor pretend to be what we are not.
Let us cast away the sin of vain ambition --- which prompts us to strive for goals which bring neither true fulfillment nor genuine contentment.
Let us cast away the sin of stubbornness --- so that we will neither persist in foolish habits nor fail to acknowledge our will to change.
Let us cast away the sin of envy --- so that we will neither be consumed by desire for what we lack nor grow unmindful of the blessings which are already ours.
Let us cast away the sin of selfishness --- which keeps us from enriching our lives through wider concerns and greater sharing, and from reaching out in love to other human beings.
Let us cast away the sin of indifference --- so that we may be sensitive to the sufferings of others and responsive to the needs of people everywhere.
Let us cast away the sin of pride and arrogance --- so that we can worship God and serve His purpose in humility and truth.
--Author Unknown
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Who Invented New Year's Resolutions?
Okay, now to answer the questions we all really want to know about New Year's resolutions. The tradition is as old as New Year's celebrations. The Babylonians celebrated New Years Day over four thousand years ago, although their celebration was in March rather than in January, coinciding with the spring planting of crops.
So if you must break your resolution, break it with pride! You'll be continuing a long tradition of broken resolutions dating back to the dawn of recorded history! And if you had a false start, why you can start again in March, ŕ la Babylonia!
The New Year, no matter when people have celebrated it, has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's time to reflect on the changes we want, or often need, if we're to have the motivation move forward. Resolutions are a reflection of the Babylonians' belief that what a person does on the first day of the New Year will have an effect throughout the entire year. Think about that at the New Year's party! --Author Unknown
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Happy New Year Recipe For Peace & Happiness
Take twelve, fine, full-grown months, see that these are thoroughly free from all old memories of bitterness, rancor, hate and jealousy; cleanse them completely from every clinging spite: pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short , see that these
months are freed from all the past; have them as fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time.
Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. This batch will keep for just one year. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot in this way), but prepare one day at a time, as follows: Into each day put twelve parts of faith, eleven of patience, ten of courage, nine of of work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of
the rest), eight of hope, seven of fidelity, six of liberality, five of kindness, four of rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the
salad, don't do it), three of prayer, two of meditation, and one well selected resolution. If you have no conscientious scruples, put in about a teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.
Pour into the whole love ad libitum and mix with a vim. Cook thoroughly in a fervent heat; garnish with a few smiles and a sprig of joy; then serve with quietness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness, and a Happy New Year is certain. --H.M.S
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ALL THINGS NEW?
The boundary of the New Year marks one of the most important landmarks of our lives. To cross it is to make a transition that is irreversible: once we step over the line into a new January, we find that the old December is gone forever.
We prepare for the new year with celebrations to mark the change, with resolutions to shape our future, and with renewed interest in life. But, like a wise man said long ago, we find that there is "nothing new under the sun", and soon all the old problems will re-surface, except that they will have 2003 written on them, and not 2002.
It is right into this cycle of life that the Gospel of Jesus Christ comes with its great claims of hope and peace, its promise of better days, and its comforting grace, moment by moment along life's way. "...if anyone is in Christ", wrote someone who passed over many boundaries in his life, "he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul often crossed the line; some things he regretted. But he never regretted the day Jesus took him across the line from hopelessness to purpose, from emptiness to reality, from delusion to Christ.
Jesus made all things new for him. He gave him new purpose, new meaning in life. He gave him new desires, new motives for living. He gave him new hope, new glimpses of the future. He gave him new grace, and a new song: a song of love to the God-man whose death redeemed him from sin, whose life empowered him for service, whose prayers surrounded him in danger, whose word sustained him in life and death.
Paul knew a new Paul. In Christ Jesus, he said, nothing matters but the new creation (Galatians 6:15). As you cross the boundary line into the threshold of a new year, may the grace of God make all things new for you. --Author Unknown
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Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever Hebrews 13:5
The beginning of a new year is a time for reflection and evaluation - a time to think about what has gone before, and to look ahead to what is to come. It is a time for renewal, for a new start, for beginning again.
For many people it is a sad and lonely time. Perhaps past months brought heartache, trial and pain. Perhaps there has been sorrow and bereavement, and separation from loved ones. These troubles make it difficult to start out afresh. Perhaps the months ahead are full of foreboding, filled with the prospect of difficult mountains to climb and deep rivers to cross. We can sometimes face the beginning of a year with fear rather than with hope.
Whatever our lot at the beginning of the new year, there is a statement in the Bible which ought to lift our eyes and our hearts heavenwards, to the one place where there can be certainty for us in an uncertain and changing world. Jesus, says the writer to the Hebrews, does not change. There is with him no alteration, no shadow of turning. In all our yesterdays, for all our todays, and into all our tomorrows, he is the source and fountain of all salvation, the truth the world needs.
He is the same in his glorious Person. All the fulness of the godhead still resides in him. His incarnation emptied him of nothing. The prerogatives of God are with him, and in himself there is still the attracting, drawing power of one who is fairer than the sons of men. The answer to the world's problems - indeed, the answer to all our problems, rests not in a religion, but in a person - in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose stature and glory are not diminished with the passing of the years.
He is the same in his glorious Promises. The word by which he communicates the message of his gospel to a lost world is constant, as he himself is. What he spoke he spoke finally, and with authority. And all his promises are suited to the needs and the difficulties of men. Are we in trouble? He says "Fear not - my grace is sufficient for you". Are we lonely? He says "I will be with you". Are we in need of direction? He says - "I will guide you". In all things, he has made his word a light to our feet and a lamp to our path.
He is the same in his glorious Presence. He walks life's way along with his people, never leaving them, never forsaking them. To the end of the age he has undertaken to be the counselor, friend and guide of all who put their trust in him.
To walk into a new year is to walk into the unknown. It is to traverse new paths, and to walk along new roads. But he who holds the future knows what the future holds. And the Jesus Christ who is untarnished and unchanged with the passing of the months has promised to walk alongside his people wherever they may be.
May the Christ of God, the only Lord and Saviour, be your guide and portion in the new year. --Author Unknown
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Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns
Be still and discern the shaking, for the voice of the Lord has come forth to shake the foundations of the earth. This is a spiritual earthquake to loose the chains of darkness and set captives free. I call to those who have become complacent in their places of confinement and restrictions, limited by hindering forces, and I call to you to come forth and shake off the restrictions that you have allowed to rule over you. Loose yourself from your chains and rise up in the liberty of My Spirit, says the Lord. Acts 16:26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
Beloved, take the time to rise above the natural realm and everything that demands your attention, and come up to Me in the Spirit and be renewed and refreshed in My presence. This supernatural infusion will be like a breath of fresh air that will restore and invigorate you. You are at a pivotal point in your spiritual progression and on the threshold of a new season that will require maximum strength and concentration if you are to gain the highest benefit from all that it offers. A regular and frequent spiritual impartation will establish you in the flow of My Spirit. Come to Me, says the Lord. Revelation 11:12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here."
You had to brace yourself and stand strong in order to endure the trials that you've encountered. But, much of what you had to do to overcome these difficulties has also caused your heart to harden in an effort to protect yourself from trouble. I say, the worst is over. Relax, and trust Me to be your Shield, for you are not alone. I have not left you to fight your battles by yourself; I am with you. I am your very present help in times of trouble. Now, I call you My tender-hearted one, for the hard shell around your tender heart will melt as you remember My great love for you, says the Lord. Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Face the things you dread. Ignoring difficult circumstances will not make them go away. If you will courageously face your difficult trials you will find that I have been there the whole time to give wisdom and direction and to bring you through in dignity and victory. I am your help in troubled times, and My grace is sufficient to every task. Do not be afraid to confront, and do so with the determination and confidence that you are not alone in this battle, says the Lord. Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Beloved, there are always two roads before you -- one that always leads to and produces life in you and everyone and everything around you. The other leads to death and destruction, and it also affects everyone and everything around you. You will choose the path you take by the decisions you make daily. If you cannot decide what to do in any situation push each option to its ultimate logical conclusion, and ask Me to give you the wisdom you need to choose wisely, says the Lord. Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."
I had a dream about trying to go back to a place from my past, and it was really hard. This was the dream: I had been offered a job with a brokerage firm and had been given office space that I would share with someone. In the meantime, a woman from our church wanted me to braid her hair, but I didn't have time because I needed to get to work. I had trouble finding the office building and then trouble finding the elevator and then trouble finding the door to my office. Once I got there the guy that I shared the space with could see that I was distraught. I began to not want to make the calls necessary to develop a client base or to read the Wall Street Journal or Reuter's every day. I didn't want the stress of setting up another computer or proving myself to my new associates. So, my office mate talked to me about being in a wrong place and not going through with this new venture associated with my past. I felt so lost and out of the flow, so I took his advice and walked away from it. I believe this dream is not just a warning to me but perhaps to many in the Body of Christ, and it has to do with resisting the temptation to go back to old places that were once lucrative or presented some place of security (stockbrokers deal in "securities.") Trying to go back will take us out of the flow of the Spirit because the flow never takes us backwards, but always moves us forward. The woman in the dream has to do with places of ministry, and the fact that I had no time for her represents a wrong focus and misplaced priorities. I believe my office-mate represents the Holy Spirit who will keep us from making wrong choices.
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Poem For The New Year
God grant us this year a wider view,
So we see others' faults through the eyes of You;
Teach us to judge not with hasty tongue,
Neither the adult ... nor the young.
Give us patience and grace to endure
And a stronger faith so we feel secure;
And instead of remembering, help us forget
The irritations that caused us to fret.
Freely forgiving for some offense
And finding each day a rich recompense,
In offering a friendly, helping hand
And trying in all ways to understand,
That all of us whoever we are ...
Are trying to reach "an unreachable star."
For the great and small ... the good and bad,
The young and old ... the sad and glad,
Are asking today, "Is life worth living?"
And the answer is only in "loving" and "giving."
For only "Love" can make us kind
And Kindness of Heart brings Peace of Mind,
And by giving love we can start this year
To lift the clouds of hate and fear.
--Helen Steiner Rice
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EACH NEW DAY
Greet each new year
Without any fear.
Jesus will guide you,
Walking beside you.
Greet each new day
In the joyful way.
Jesus is dearer
And one day nearer.
Greet each new face
Full of God's free grace.
Tell them that Jesus
Yearns to receive us.
So greet each new day,
The victory way.
You keep abiding;
God keeps providing.
Updated December 21,2002
--FEAR NOT
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Rules for Holy Living
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:1-17
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:10-13
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
This is what the Lord asks of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John:14
27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn" 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - 36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' 37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Matthew 10:27-40
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:24-26
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Wishing You a Happy New Year
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV).
"A legend tells the story of a fisherman called Aaron. Aaron lived on the banks of a river. Walking home with his eyes half-closed one evening after a hard day's work, he was dreaming of what he could do if he were rich. As he walked his foot struck against a leather pouch filled with what seemed to him to be small stones.
"Absentmindedly he picked up the pouch and began throwing the pebbles into the water. 'When I am a rich man,' he said to himself, 'I'll have a large house.' And he threw another pebble into the river. He threw another one and thought, 'My wife and I will have servants and rich food, and many fine things.' And this went on until just one stone was left. As Aaron held it in his hand, a ray of light caught it and made it sparkle. He then realized that it was a valuable gem. He had been throwing away the real riches in his hand, while he dreamed of unreal riches in the future."
As we start a fresh New Year, let us remember all the riches we have in Christ Jesus, and all the blessings from God that we do have and not overlook these because of all the things we don't have—many of which for many of us we don't even need in order to live a contented and happy life.
As Charles Dickens once said, "Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."
Contentment and happiness come from within and not from circumstances without. They come from changing the things we can and need to change, from accepting and learning to live with the things we cannot change—and having the wisdom to know the difference. They come from the attitude of one's heart and mind, and learning to trust God in everything.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for all the blessings that I have in Christ Jesus and the manifold blessings I receive at your hand every day. Open the eyes of my understanding so that I can see these, thank you for them, and rejoice always in them. I commit and trust my life and way to you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
--Daily Encounter
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Lord, let us hold back nothing, but give all we are and have for Christ. Amen.
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Read Through The Bible
Exodus 12
The Passover
1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 2 "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. 3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. 4 If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. 5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. 6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. 7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. 8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. 9 Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts. 10 Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. 11 This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover. 12 "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. 14 "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD -a lasting ordinance. 15 For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel. 16 On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat—that is all you may do. 17 "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. 18 In the first month you are to eat bread made without yeast, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day. 19 For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel, whether he is an alien or native-born. 20 Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread." 21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. 23 When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. 24 "Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. 25 When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. 26 And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' 27 then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.' " Then the people bowed down and worshiped. 28 The Israelites did just what the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron. 29 At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well. 30 Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead.
The Exodus
31 During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. 32 Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me." 33 The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. "For otherwise," they said, "we will all die!" 34 So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. 35 The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. 36 The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians. 37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. 38 Many other people went up with them, as well as large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds. 39 With the dough they had brought from Egypt, they baked cakes of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves. 40 Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years. 41 At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD's divisions left Egypt. 42 Because the LORD kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the LORD for the generations to come.
Passover Restrictions
43 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "These are the regulations for the Passover: "No foreigner is to eat of it. 44 Any slave you have bought may eat of it after you have circumcised him, 45 but a temporary resident and a hired worker may not eat of it. 46 "It must be eaten inside one house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones. 47 The whole community of Israel must celebrate it. 48 "An alien living among you who wants to celebrate the LORD's Passover must have all the males in his household circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land. No uncircumcised male may eat of it. 49 The same law applies to the native-born and to the alien living among you." 50 All the Israelites did just what the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron. 51 And on that very day the LORD brought the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.
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A Prayer for the New Year
Come, Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Risen Christ, be with us today and always. Be our Light, our Guide, and our Comforter. Be our Strength, our Courage, and our Sanctifier. May this new year be a time of deep spiritual growth for us, A time of welcoming your graces and gifts, A time for forgiving freely and unconditionally, A time for growing in virtue and goodness. Come, Holy Spirit. Be with us today and always. Amen.
Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again. If you do not have Jesus in your life and wish to ask Jesus into your life please go to this link now to do so: http://www.christianrecoveryministries.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22 . Jesus is calling you to live a life that matters.