Next Step Devotion
It happens every year. Christmas stockings are emptied and our cherished Christmas ornaments are gradually removed from the tree, leaving us gazing forward, eagerly planning for the New Year. You never seem to "believe" that another year has blazed past. However, this year I imagine many are looking toward 2013 with relief and anticipation, praying it holds renewed hope and blessing.
It's so easy to slam shut the door of 2012 without taking intentional time for reflection, thanking the Lord for how he revealed his mighty hand in our lives. As the writer instructed in the book of Hebrews, we should fix our eyes on Jesus and keep running the race marked out for us. But you cannot "strip off every weight" without taking the time to allow God to reveal the weights you may be carrying. Every year we add "weights" to our lives, often times unexpected and unrealized - broken relationships, financial debt, uncertainly and anxiety about the future, new health struggles, and unfulfilled hopes, just to name a few.
Philippians 4 is cherished for its comforting instructions to trade worry for thanksgiving and anxiety for peace. Yet we often stop after verse 7. There are some key instructions in verse 8-9 that I feel we should not overlook:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Phil 4:8-9)
Paul often instructed those he mentored to model their lives after him, as he was modeling his life after Jesus Christ. As Paul closed out this powerful letter of encouragement, his final thoughts were a call for reflection. He desired that the church of Philippi would reflect upon all that he had taught and modeled and that they had heard and seen. The church was to put these lessons into practice moving forward. All scripture is inspired by God and purposed for us as well (2 Tim 3:16), so this call for reflection also rests upon our lives.
What have you "learned or received or heard or seen" from God in 2012? Did God discipline you through a bitter root in your life? Maybe the Holy Spirit shed new light on His word, or allowed your to see breakthrough in an area of prayer. Perhaps you received healing to your body or soul, or experienced reconciliation in an important relationship. Perhaps you do not see the hand of God in your life much at all over the past year. Why is that? Did you commit your time, energy, thought life, and attitudes to Jesus Christ? Were you fixed upon what is "true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely?"
The dawn of 2013 is nigh, but do not make the mistake of believing you can fully set your eyes upon Jesus and begin anew your race without first stripping off every weight. Take some time to reflect upon the grace of Jesus Christ evidenced in your life over the past year. Submit to him any areas of sin, doubt, or discouragement you may be feeling. Allow the Lord to remove those weights of life from your wrists and ankles, renewing a right spirit in you and strengthening you for the race ahead.
If you do not know how to begin, here are some starter questions that might help you begin your dialogue with the Lord:
1. What activity or event gave me great joy in 2012?
2. What activity or event was painful to endure?
3. Is there anyone I need to forgive before the New Year begins?
4. Is there a conversation that I need to have with another before the New Year?
5. What spiritual discipline needs more focus in my life? - Scripture reading, prayer, fasting
6. What is one activity or event that I saw God's hand guiding or assisting me?
God promises us plans of hope for our future (Jer 29:11), so look forward to this New Year clinging to the eternal hope of Jesus Christ!
Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Interview Recaps
This week on New Day Cafe we took some time to reflect as well, highlighting interviews that we feel God used mightily in the lives of our listeners. We pray these highlights have blessed you this week, renewing your strength for the journey!
- Mike Chambers - Wells in Africa Ministry - LISTEN
- Woodrow Krill - Back to the Bible Ministry - Finishing Strong - LISTEN
- Dr. Tony Evans - Kingdom Man - LISTEN PART 1 - LISTEN PART 2
- Man on the Street - Heaven and Hell - LISTEN
- Luis Palau - Out of the Desert - LISTEN PART 1 - LISTEN PART 2
- Mary Kassian - Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild - LISTEN
- John & Kendra Smiley - Finish Strong in Marriage - LISTEN PART 1, LISTEN PART 2
Key Scriptures
- Lamentations 3:22-24 - "The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!"
Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths."
Ezekiel 36:25-26 - " I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 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
Hebrews 12:10-11 - "...God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
May your New Year be full of the peace and hope of Jesus Christ!
Melissa Rogers
Moody Radio South
www.moodyradiosouth.fm
