A clean chalk board, a clean slate, first day of the year, 2017. What are your goals? do I even mention the word resolutions! I always want a healthier me. I want to read the Bible all the way through yes even Numbers and Leviticus. I somehow let myself down when I do not complete the task at hand. But what if I just be the person God wants me to be every day and do as He ask me to do each day. His word says in Matthew 6:33 to, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
My word is Focus. I want to focus on all the good things this year. I want to focus on his word and his blessings. Romans 8:6 says, “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. In other words, “To focus our minds on the human nature leads to death, but to focus our minds on the Spirit leads to life and peace.”
Our goal is Hebrews 12:2, ” We do this by focusing our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” Jesus initiates and perfects our faith. He received joy after he endured the cross. Beloved we are his joy. He disregarded the shame it brought him because the result is that we have eternal life and peace.
How do we take present day troubles and give them to God? 2 Corinthians 4:18 has the answer. Beloved we focus on the author of our peace. Do you know the author of peace? I do. He is my beloved Savior. In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 we read, “For our light and temporary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that far outweighs our troubles. So we focus our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Today, I read about how God created the heavens and the earth, light and darkness, animals, sea animals, plants, man and woman. Where would we be without light or darkness? Or our animals. I love my little dog Tory! I know we could do with a few less snakes in the world. And I am so thankful for freedom. Freedom to read God’s word, I am going to do my best to read a chronological bible reading schedule. I am reading the Message Bible. You can probably find the Message Bible on-line. But any version is good. Wendy Pope has a read along with her that is great at Wendypope.com for a minimal price. Her Psalm study is amazing.
Jan 1 Genesis 1-3
Jan 2 Genesis 4-7
Jan 3 Genesis 8-11
Jan 4 Job 1-5
Jan 5 Job 6-9
Jan 6 Job 10-13
Jan 7 Job 14-16
Jan 8 Job 17-20
I John 1:9 says that He is faithful to forgive us of our sins that is why I know your slate or your chalk board is clean, all you need to do is confess and believe. But this is true everyday. Dr. Neil Anderson says we really do not need to be in a sin, confess, sin, confess. We just need to give our day to the Lord confessing our need for him. That is why I have chosen the word focus.
I am hoping to be a faithful, obedient, called, unswering, servant. My prayer for you is that you will chose life in him. Deuteronomy 3:19-20
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
We do this by being in his word. God wants us to be joyful so this year I want to be in his word and I want to be happy. Time to focus on the goodness of His gifts, His mercy, grace, and love. I will be reading but more importantly I want to be in the word with God there with me not just checking it off my to do list. I need some accountability partners. How about you? Will you read with me……..It is like the A,B,C song ending. Will you read with me? Your slate is clean.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
