Inspirational Thought of the Day:
Who do you want to BE in 2017?
Scripture of the Day:
Ecclesiastes 12:13
“Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.”
On the cusp of a new year, what are your hopes and dreams? What do you hope to accomplish? More importantly, who do you want to BE in 2017?
If we were made to enjoy His presence and to love and worship Him, do we have plans for that occupation in the new year?
Simply put, our whole purpose is to know God, make Him known, to fear Him and keep His commandments. That word fear is not a popular word these days – or ever, for that matter.
But this fear is not like the the feat that evil brings. It is a Holy reverence at Who God is and an awareness that He sees and knows us completely. How then, ought we to live?
Like David, my prayer is that God would, “Examine me, and probe my thoughts! Test me, and know my concerns! See if there is any idolatrous tendency in me, and lead me in the reliable ancient path!” (Psalm 139:23-24).
This is my prayer for 2017, that we would not be deceived, but would see our great need of our Holy, awesome God – and live FULLY for Him.
Happy New Year, friends. Live well and completely for His glory. There is no other path that can bring us the joy of the LORD.
Oh God, thank You for revealing our need of You. Help us to draw nearer to You in this coming year and to make You famous! May we faithfully share Your love and not be distracted by civilian affairs or attacks of the enemy. Protect Your people and help us to stay focused on what matters – knowing and loving You and one another!
Denise Pass | Author | Singer | Speaker | Worship Leader
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging and commented:
Happy New Year!!
I fully agree. I could not have said it better. That is my desire also.
Thanks, Tom! May we all grow in Christ and proclaim His greatness all the more in 2017!
That is the right thing to do and what will bring us the joy we seek. Thanks for the reminder.
Hope you had a happy New year!
Thank you! Nice time with family – grateful. I pray you did, too!
I did! Especially with New Years’ night evangelism on the Rose Parade route last night. Since this years’ New Year’s Day is on Sunday the Parade is on Monday so I had a great time witnessing to a lot of people camping out waiting for the parade.
Denise, I liked the entire post but really appreciated your perspective about not being distracted by “civilian affairs”! That reminded me that we are in the Lord’s Army and that we are in a spiritual battle and one of our enemies is distraction from God’s higher purposes which as you said are to love & worship Him and to fear Him and keep His commandments. Great post to start off the new year!
Praise the LORD! Thank you, Jeff. This phrase has been a mantra for me the past couple of years and I carry it forward to remind me to be about God’s mission and to not be distracted. May He be glorified! Happy New Year!