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November 17, 2024
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Wrap up 2018.
Whether you are a New Year’s resolution person or not, most of us think about what kind of year 2018 has been, even if for a few minutes. I usually spend 30 minutes tying up the current year before crossing the threshold into the next one. I write a list of the good things of 2018 and thank God for each one. I also list painful events and thank Him for those too. Difficulties came to me through His hand so they are for my good and are teaching me lessons and developing my character. If the suffering was caused by my choices, then I thank Him for forgiving me. If through someone else’s choices, I forgive them. No matter the cause of pain, I ask Him to continue healing my damaged emotions.
Begin 2019 with something new.
Most of our circumstances on December 31 will spill over into January 1, 2019. So how can we get a fresh start? Pick something we can control, not associated with our circumstances.
I propose we make PRAYER resolutions.
Pick a verse. Personalize it. Pray it.
Every morning before your feet hit the floor, pray your personalized verse. Then watch out. If we pray God’s will, we know it will be answered. God’s Word is always God’s will, so we can’t go wrong with these resolutions coming true.
Are you struggling with responding well to people?
Good morning, Lord. Grant me the ability to live out Ephesians 4:29. Let no unwholesome talk come out of of my mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Do you start quarrels?
Lord, grant me the ability to live out 2 Timothy 2:24. May I, the Lord’s servant, not be quarrelsome but be kind to everyone, able to teach, and not resentful.
Are you anxious about unemployment?
Lord, grant me the ability to live out Matthew 6:31-33. May I not be anxious today saying, ‘What shall I eat?’ or ‘What shall I drink?’ or ‘What shall I wear?’…May I simply keep seeking first the kingdom of God and Your righteousness today, knowing that my needs for food, drink and clothing will be met.
Struggling with an addiction or chronic sin pattern?
Lord, grant me the ability to live like 1 Corinthians 10:13 is true, that no temptation has overtaken me that is not common to man. You are faithful, and will not let me be tempted beyond my ability, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that I may be able to endure it. Don’t let me miss an escape.
Are you prone to helping God out?
Lord, grant me the ability to live out Colossians 1:17: Jesus is before all things, and in him all things hold together. I am not anyone’s Savior, only Jesus. I do not hold anything together, only He does. By faith, I will rest in that today and let You spin the world and write Your Story.
Are your words okay, but your tone isn’t?
Lord, grant me the ability to live out 1 Corinthians 13:1. If my words have not love, I am nothing more than a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. May there be no gong or cymbal coming out of my mouth today because Your love is in my heart.
Having trouble forgiving yourself?
Lord, grant me the ability to live like 1 John 1:9 is true. I have confessed my sin, so you are faithful and just and have forgiven me my sin and have cleansed me from all unrighteousness.
What if you want to pray all of these verses?
Here is an idea I have practiced for years. In your journal make a list of 1-30 down the left side of a page representing the days of one month. Beside each number, place a verse you want God to live out in you. Just pray the verse that matches the calendar day. On the 3rd of each month, for example, pray item 3 from your list. I like to pray, Lord, make my life illustrate this verse to the world around me, then I read the verse.
Thank you, blog readers.
I pray that my posts bless each of you every week. I can only trust that God has answered my prayers. Thank you for choosing to read some or all of the posts in 2018.
May your prayers be answered in 2019 as you walk with God and stay close to His Word.
Picture Explanation: May the message of the angel that appeared to the shepherds remain with you all year long. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord…”
© 2018 by Oaks Ministries. All rights reserved.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes growth.
1 Corinthians 3:6
10 Responses
Thank you for these wise words! I love this idea to pray that God helps me to live as the Scriptures tell me….and the idea to take my 30 favorites and keep them in a journal so I can cycle through them through the month! I have had some hard years wrapping things up from the past year and with not following through with resolution that for the past few years, I have treated entering a new year just like entering any random new day, with no specific significance. However, you have inspired me with this idea. Thank you for an idea that will help me grow more and more into the person God wants me to be!
Oh, my goodness, I am so humbled and cheered by this message. May His Word change you and me in 2019. Guaranteed results if we invite Him into the process through prayer. Let’s converse at the end of 2019 and rejoice. 🙂
Laurie, I’m not one for reading blogs but when our mutual friend Sheila sent this to me I thought I would check it out.
What a blessing! I especially like the tip of am I prone to help God! That really hit home!
Thank you Laurie, I look forward to reading more. Hopefully to be faithful in following you regularly!
Thank you and God bless you,
Hello Marge,
I am not one for reading blogs either! 🙂 In this world of information saturation none of us can keep up, so the fact that you tuned in this week, and were blessed in addition, cheers my heart.
As for helping God out, I have new eyes to see how I do that. I am going to intentionally work on that in 2019.
If you want to subscribe, that would bring the blogs to your inbox instead of you having to put forth effort to find me. Please consider that. You can unsubscribe any time. I understand!
Happy New Year.
Great post, Laurie. I’m printing this one out and putting a copy on the frig to remind me to take action on praying through Scripture this year. Really, a wonderful post. Love you!
You and me, both! God’s Word. Solid and sure.
Hi, Laurie, Happy New Year! I shared on FB and, if there’s a chance in between game playing, will share with some young guests here on this New Year’s Eve. Love to you!
Let’s throw the net wide in 2019. Love back to you.
I found myself saying, “Yes, Lord” to a lot of the things you wrote. I am going to print this one out and ponder and pray those verses for myself. Thank you, friend!
You are welcome! Started my list too. Right in there with you.