And so Christmas has come and gone, New Years too. I challenge you to choose a word to focus on and carry you through this next year. My word last year was adore…….I learned much about adoration for the LORD!
This year I have chosen the word: IMMANUEL. I love it’s meaning: GOD WITH US. Because many people would say that GOD has left us, but if you believe, you don’t see that at all. You see GOD everywhere; in people and HIS creation. GOD sent HIS only SON, born of the Virgin Mary, to grow up and walk among us only to die on the Cross for our sins. He rose again on the third day and is seated at the right hand of GOD. HE left HIS spirit with us, as a Helper. GOD is with us here and now in 2020. HE never leaves us…….ever!
Recently I was able to ask one of my favorite bloggers that I follow what his goals were for 2020. He said very plain and simple: GROW CLOSER to GOD/LEARN MORE.
I told him I liked so much of what he said that I wanted to adopt that goal too. And how could we not want to grow closer and learn more!
GOD’S word is always reliable and always true. It is amazing and it is stunning. It comforts, refines, replenishes, and fills the soul like nothing else. But none of this we can know, unless we open it! Yes, open that Bible today…….it may seem hard or daunting, but find a book and read through. Best place to begin is the book of JOHN. Another good place (one of mine that I am always drawn to) is Psalms.
I believe you have to get into the word and once it hooks you in the way that GOD’S word works, then you cannot get enough of it.
As you read it, you learn all about GOD’S promises for you and HIS heart for you and you realize that it was written for you because GOD loves you too much to live without you!
The LORD’S word does this:
PSALM 25: 9 “HE LEADS THE HUMBLE IN WHAT IS RIGHT AND TEACHES THEM HIS WAY.”
HIS word teaches us and draws us closer and closer.
HIS word is our refuge and strength when we embrace it:
PSALM 5: 11 “BUT LET ALL WHO TAKE REFUGE IN YOU REJOICE; LET THEM EVER SING FOR JOY, AND SPREAD YOUR PROTECTION OVER THEM,THAT THOSE WHO LOVE YOUR NAME MAY EXALT YOU.”
Oh how precious are HIS words…….take refuge in them and learn from them:
HIS WAY………IS NOT OURS
HIS WILL………IS NOT OURS
HIS WORD……..ANCHORS OUR SOULS
HIS PEACE……..IS A PEACE BEYOND ALL UNDERSTANDING.
NONE OF THIS CAN BE EXPERIENCED EXCEPT THROUGH THE READING OF GOD’S WORD.
Our Bibles are GOD’S WORD…….holy, righteous and true. OPEN THEM.
A simple goal to learn more by reading your Bible will automatically result in a closer understanding of the GOD who loves you. Start the New Year off right with one simple task……
OPEN YOUR BIBLE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
And if you can, embrace a word throughout the year. Look for it in scripture, embrace it and ask GOD to teach you all about it. HE will do just that if you ask HIM.
The New Year of 2020 has just begun, let’s make it a year of growing closer to GOD and learning as much as we can by studying HIS word. Why? Because nothing is ever a waste when what you do or learn is for and about GOD! Ask GOD to guide you this year in all you learn…….when you follow in HIS will, you will be amazed at what HE teaches you!
PSALM 25: 5 “GUIDE ME IN YOUR TRUTH AND TEACH ME, FOR YOU ARE THE GOD OF MY SALVATION.”
BLESSINGS ON YOUR NEW YEAR FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
HEAVENSREEF 
Excellent post, Maxine. “OPEN YOUR BIBLE EVERY SINGLE DAY.” This is great advice for any time of the year and should be heeded! Have a blessed 2020.
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Thanks David!
Your words mean so much to me! Starting the New Year out right and YOU were my inspiration for sure!!
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For a long time, I thought Isaiah was intimidating. Then I did a study on it, and found that it is a beautiful and profound love letter from God to us. It was incredible.
Also, a few years ago I tried doing my daily devotions on my tablet. The devotional I use is in my e-mail, and I figured it would be more convenient to just click over to the Bible passages for that day. That didn’t last long. I missed holding my Bible in my hands. Plus, when I think of verses, or try to remember where the passage is, my mind goes to where on a page I see the verse – can’t do that with a tablet, it only works for a book. And I like turning real pages.
I love God’s Word!
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Oh how I love to hold a Bible in my lap! I love hearing the pages being turned as well. Yes the actual book does it for me. I can’t read anything on a kindle or I-pad – just isn’t the same as holding a book in your hands! I get so tired of looking at my phone that looking at a book is refreshing!
I do highlight in more than one Bible and yes, it does help me remember a scripture – I can “see” the page and even remember the color I used!
So we are in agreement that holding and reading GOD’S word is amazing…….the more I do it, the more I crave it too!
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😊❤
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