Weekly Devotional


Home
Children
Youth
Adult
Classes and Events
Worship
Missions
Belltower Newsletter
Who We Are
Contact
Ptsky Chldrn's Nursery

Petoskey United Methodist Church
Weekly Devotional

January 9, 2008
RING IN THE OLD WITH THE NEW

By Susan Norris

susand_norris@yahoo.com

In order to move forward to the New Year, we must embrace the old year. Sift through it, and recognize the value of events that have occurred both good and not so good. Some people can fool themselves into thinking that when they awaken on Jan.1^st they can leave it behind them, say ‘au revoir’, ‘arrivederci’, ‘see ya’, and erase the lousy year altogether. As Christ-following believers God’s Holy Spirit shows us otherwise. God can use all of our experiences for His Glory. This is a good time to spend an evening reflecting on where we saw God at work within our lives. I encourage you to take your 2007 calendar, go through each month, and bring to mind days, holidays, special events, birthdays, illness, loss or hardships. Ponder, as you recall everything that surrounded the experience. Recall the people who were with you. Think about the actual day; was it sunny, raining, or snowing? Can you remember the food you ate? Try to remember everything you can that attributed to the day. Once you have captured the moment, look for God. Do you see Him? Did you notice Him peeking around the corner smiling at you? Did you feel His compassion? Did you even know He was there? "Of course," you’ll say, "God is always there." (Jehovah Shamma) We know it in our hearts, and our minds.

Sometimes it is hard to see Him through our-oh-so-busy days. We pray, read His Holy Word, and lots of books that try to define the infinite Creator. We search and seek for a deeper understanding and relationship with God. Do we realize that the very seeking, in itself is our relationship with God. We have an encounter with Him every time we bow our head, raise our hands, or kneel at the feet of Christ. Every time we do a spontaneous kind act or a selfless good deed without recognition, we have allowed God’s Holy Spirit to work within us. We need to remember that it is God who created this spirit of love for us to share. It is He, who has initiated this relationship with Him. Recalling these memorable events can be good. In retrospect we can see more of the whole picture. As we look back we go "AHA! God was there." The more we recall the places we have seen God, the easier it will be to recognize Him right here, in the present. Right now, in 2008.

Maybe you have already made your list of resolutions. Maybe some of them need to be re-focused. Maybe something without the words, my, me, mine, or self in them. This may sound like too general of a resolution to some of you, but mine is to once again lay myself down at the feet of Jesus and let His blood fill me with love and compassion. I don’t need to let God in on all the plans I make, but let God make the plans.

"Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?" (Lamentations 3:37)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Embrace 2007, remember, then add it to the new adventures God has planned for you in 2008. Keep on; keeping on, pressing toward the goal which God has called us.

I wish each of you peace in the coming year and may you be pierced with the love Christ has given, for you. PASS IT ON

Archived Devotionals