I'm not one for new year's resolutions ... anymore. The revelation that I'm probably not going to lose weight (and keep it off), exercise more (especially once winter rolls around), drink less tea (as if that's ever going to happen), get to bed early, etc, etc, means that setting resolutions I can't live up to, is a fruitless - and self-destroying - exercise.
However, I do like to take stock of where I'm at and make general plans for the year/s ahead. With a significant birthday ahead, it doesn't hurt to re-evaluate whether or not I'm going to have time to write the books I want to write, finish the quilts I want to finish, get the garden the way I would like it, finish the house (sorry, kids, you're probably going to be left with that at this rate), etc.
For me, one of the joys of this time of year is deciding where I'm going with my personal devotions. For many years I have used my own Bible reading plan that allows me to read through the entire Old Testament once, and the New Testament twice in a two-year period. I've also often repeated Psalms and Proverbs several times during that period, although I must admit that I have gotten a little slack on the latter in recent years.
Another thing I like to re-evaluate is what I read alongside these Scripture passages. For the past few years I have read through Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook as part of my morning devotions. This has been coupled with Daily Light on the Daily Path by Samuel Bagster, a selection of Scripture verses around a common theme for each morning and evening. I've decided to keep with the Daily Light but to change things up a bit in relation to Spurgeon. This year I'm using Morning and Evening (still Spurgeon) after I came across the devotional during research for one of my books. (These devotions are all available for free on the YouDevotion app.)
Yesterday's devotion from Spurgeon is as close as I will get to a resolution for this year ...
Continue in prayer - Col 4:2
It's amazing how much of the Bible is about prayer, whether through examples, commands, or promises. You can't open the Bible without finding mentions of people praying, starting with "Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord," and ending with a heartfelt "Amen" at the close of Scripture. Examples are everywhere: Jacob wrestling with God, Daniel praying three times a day, David passionately calling out to God. We see Elijah on the mountain, Paul and Silas praying in prison. And there are countless commands and promises about prayer.
What does this show us? It highlights the importance and necessity of prayer. If God emphasises prayer so much in His Word, He surely wants it to be a major part of our lives We are in such deep need that we must continue praying until we reach heaven. If you feel like you don't need anything, you probably don't realise how poor you are. If you have no requests for God, may He show you how much you need His mercy! A person who doesn't pray is someone without Christ. Prayer is the whisper of the new believer, the battle cry of a struggling Christian, and the final words of a dying saint. It is the breath, strength, comfort, and honour of a Christian. If you are a child of God, you will seek your Father's presence and live in His love. Pray that this year you may be holy, humble, passionate, and patient. Pray for a deeper relationship with Christ and more time in the banquet hall of His love. Pray to be a blessing to others and live more for the glory of your Saviour. Let this year's motto be, "Continue in prayer."
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