The holidays are over, 2013 is history, and we are now a few days into 2014. The New Year normally finds us reflecting back over the year just ended and looking ahead with new resolutions, goals, and plans. We vow to be a better person, to do better. We may even commit before the Lord to be a better Christian, to be more consistent in Bible study, prayer, witnessing, and/or other areas of our lives in the year ahead.
I always look forward to beginning the year with new studies in the Word and this year was no exception. I actually began two new studies and am amazed at the common theme running through both of them – that of faithfulness.
One of the studies looked at Ruth and Boaz. In Ruth 2:5, upon seeing Ruth in the field, Boaz asked, “Whose young woman is this?” Boaz noticed that there was something different about Ruth. In fact, he had even heard about her faithfulness to her mother-in-law and all she had done for Naomi. This reminds me of Acts 4:13 (one of my favorite scriptures) where the crowd took note of Peter and John that they “had been with Jesus.” In the coming year may I be faithful to spend time with Him and may it point others to Him. May I too, like Ruth, be faithful to minister to the needs of my family, my co-workers, and all those around me.
Another area of faithfulness is in waiting on the Lord and not running ahead. In the coming year I desire be faithful in my service. May I allow Him to lead in my life and work and not move ahead with my own ideas and plans.
Above all, I see His faithfulness. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV). What great hope and encouragement as we move into 2014. Thank you, God, for Your faithfulness. May I never forget or take it for granted.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
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