September 28, 2021 – Reflections on “New Connections!”

If we live long enough, we see many new things in a lifetime. After nine decades, I rode in a Model T Ford, saw the first black and white television, the beginning of computers, and now another new thing – is on my horizon, Broadband. I enjoyed radio as a girl and heard the announcer break into a current broadcast and give the news flash of the World War II attack.

Each ‘new’ invention brings changes in my routine, and it takes time to incorporate it into my life. I’ve already determined to figure out where to find where I can find the classic programs from the 50s and 60s to stream. Scheduling my day when a favorite ‘show’ is on, has been in the hands of cable. Now I will have to hunt for the programs that please me, and where they are. It will take time to build up a new routine and learn how to live with faster internet, and curious. It seems I can’t write faster emails, or blogs, or check Facebook. Why does it need to be faster?

When I have Faith in God and live for Him, I am so thankful there are no updates or improvements. There are no expiration dates. This attests to the greatness of our Lord God. Since the beginning of the world before the foundation of the world, He is. He created the heavens and earth. He loves us more than anyone else can and is more faithful. In His Word, we are given the wonder of a life in this world. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4.

When we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, He reveals what pleases Him. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:16-18.

There is never someone as new as someone who is baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost. Eighty-four years ago, I was baptized, and still remember the newness and cleanness down deep in my heart.

There were moments when I understood the hunger and thirst for righteousness as that cleanness became smudged with sin. Then I desired a closer walk with Him. I played and sang this old song over and over. Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

God sent me examples of faith and of those who knew how to walk in His Way. This faith in Him changes the way we see others. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees, man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7.

During a woman’s retreat, we received a hand mirror and asked what we see when we look at ourselves. Then I realized I looked for flaws on the outside of a person, and not on the heart. I had a critical spirit. Each time I pick up the hand-mirror, I am reminded to see those about me, the way God sees them with a forgiving spirit.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35. Is this possible? What if someone gets on my nerves? Can I rant and let them know? When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer, the Holy Spirit provides gifts to enable us to obey the commandments God has given us. What are they?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. These ways and these blessings only come from our Loving God, who helps us to be faithful to Him.

         Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man, and beast you save, O Lord. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:5-7.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness, Morning by morning, new mercies, I see. All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. This grand old hymn gives us the joy of knowing the blessedness of walking our Lord in this life, and forevermore.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3.

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:3-4.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law, he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2.

Meditating and setting our minds on the word of God will bring wisdom and understanding. Praising Him brings joy, and obedience of His commandments brings us ever closer to Him. Who comes first in my life?  The things of the world that will pass away, or God who is with us for an Eternity.

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. Colossians 3:12-17.