It is hard to believe that 2013 is gone, and we are headed into a new year. The Lord's mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is beyond what we can comprehend. Though our year had many trials, we are thankful for the way God used them in our lives for our good. He also blessed us immensely in so many ways.
Last night, some of us were discussing our New Year's goals (one of mine is to post once a month on this blog! :), and I was blessed to hear many of the goals of my siblings, and challenged in my own. By the Lord's grace, we will be working on these goals throughout the year. I would encourage you to make goals of your own! What purpose and delight it gives when you have something you are working toward.
On Sunday, I was challenged by the message on sharing God's Word with others. It should be what we naturally talk about to anyone we come in contact with. What we meditate on, love, and delight in will be what we talk about. My desire is that Christ is first in my conversation.
Recently, we traveled to the coast to play music for a program that was going on after Christmas. We were blessed by the opportunity to share music with many people, and were doubly blessed by many good family times and memories!
I have been enjoying reading Psalm 119. Here are a few of the verses that particularly stuck out to me: "Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors... I will run the way of Thy commandments when Thou shalt enlarge my heart... I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep Thy commandments... At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto Thee because of Thy righteous judgments... Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I kept Thy Word... It is good that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes... I know, O LORD, that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me... O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day... I hate vain thoughts: but Thy law do I love... Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way... Order my steps in Thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me... Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in Thy Word... I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil... My tongue shall speak of Thy Word: for all Thy commandments are righteousness."May the Lord bless each of you as you seek Him first! Blessings,
~Amanda
Thank you for posting, Amanda! Thank you for the pictures - it's always so fun to see pictures of your sweet family! :)
ReplyDeleteAlso thank you for sharing the verses from Psalm 119. I have been encouraged before by verses such as #2: "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!" Also #34: "Give me understanding, and I shal keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart." How often do I seek Him with my WHOLE HEART? Am I constantly filling my mind with His truths, from the Bible? Am I constantly spending time with God in prayer and asking for His wisdom in my life? Am I filling every area of my heart with good thoughts, with good meaning, with good things? With YHWH's help we can forsake all else and seek Him - He desires our ALL!! Jesus said, in Luke 9:23, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Let us come after Jesus and follow His example - take up our cross DAILY and follow Him - and glorify God, our Father, in all we do - live for HIM!!
Thanks again, dear sister - thank you for seeking Him and shining to others! I love you bunches! May YHWH bless you with joy and peace, understanding and wisdom, and may His face shine on you as you serve Him daily!
Love,
~Martha Joy