January 5, 2021 – Prepare the Heart – 2021!

        But let all who take refuge You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love Your Name may exult in you. Psalm 5:11.  Is there a need for preparation for the New Year?

I grew up when the ritual of making New Year’s Resolutions were made on January 1st and broken on January the 2nd.  Yet, there is another way to prepare for the New Year that is more meaningful.

As always, my Mother was my teacher. I came home from church at fifteen years old, on New Year’s Eve filled with laughter with friends from playing games.  I burst into the living room at 10:30 pm and stopped short.

My Mother sat by the fireplace reading the open Bible on her lap, the King James Version.  I thought she would be in bed asleep.  I asked her what she was doing, and seventy-six years later, I remember her words, “I am looking for a word to live by for the New Year.”

Being a ‘late-bloomer’, it took time to understand the wisdom of my mother.  Last year I posted Philippians 4:7 for my cover on Facebook.   “And the peace of God will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

As I prepared to write this, I remembered my friend teaching children to sing the words, Be strong and courageous.  They raised fists, signifying strength.  Physical strength disappears, and the strength of the heart and mind is where we grow. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8.

Joshua would lead the Children of Israel after Moses died. “Moses, my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.”  Joshua 1:2-3.

Even as Moses listened to God and told the Israelites, “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”  Exodus 14:14. Trusting the Lord when we are impatient is often difficult.

As I considered what I need to be successful at living in the world today, filled with fear, anger, division, I can hear the many times God’s Word admonishes us to, Fear Not! Even a lock down can teach us patience, acceptance, plus understanding and recognizing the precious Presence of God.

It all begins with accepting the Jesus Christ as Lord. When I read the eight verse of Joshua, I recognized my need to meditate on His Word day and night, not by emptying the mind but living the way Jesus Christ has taught us in His Word.

An article written by Paul Tripp, published on TheGospelCoalition.org, caught my eye.  Five Words to Guide New Year Meditation.  Curious, I noticed Five ‘C’ Words, Count, Confess, Consider, Celebrate, and Commit.

         Count! So often we want to whine, criticize, and complain.  The last two words, beginning with ‘C’, are not listed as choices in God’s Word.  It is when we count our blessings, our spirit within lifts us with His Joy.  Do you remember the hymn, Count your many blessings, see what the Lord has done.  Recognizing the blessing while it is happening is even sweeter.

Confession! We will never be perfect, but we are forgiven through Jesus. It never fails to amaze me how God’s Love is all about redemption through Noah and the promise through the rainbow’s appearance.  How God sent Moses to free His Children from slavery in Egypt. What was it that caused Abraham to climb the mountain to sacrifice his son?  Then God released Abraham from that promise.  Abraham traveled to a land without knowing where it would be the Promised Land.  Just as through Jesus Christ, we are heading for the Promised Land of Heaven, if we believe.

Consider!  When we gave our hearts to Jesus, He left the Holy Spirit living within us to teach us.  Then, with the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the strength to see where we need change and the desire to please God.  Are the changes needed in my heart, life, work, or relationships?

Celebrate!  What are the benefits of God’s Grace when we become His Children? As His Children, we have a new identity when God adopts us into His Family.  Where are the benefits listed?  The books of Galations, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians,

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

         Ephesians 6:10-20 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (continue to verse 20)

         Philippians 4:4-7 – Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.       

         Colossians 3:12-17 – Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed, you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

         Commit!  Turn your day and night meditation into a commitment with strength from the Holy Spirit.  Trust in Him, for there is no Other Who Loves us like our Jesus, Lord of All.