12-31-2013
In the old hymn, taken from the scriptures, Christians are
told “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” As we turn the calendar pages tomorrow and
begin a new year, I thought I would offer some thoughts on what it might mean to
seek the Kingdom in the New Year…
- Seek to know God more through searching the Scriptures.
- Seek to know spiritual health by intentionally seeking balance through a prayer life that strengthens you for physical living.
- Seek to know your neighbors more through intentional fellowship and interaction.
- Seek to know patience for dealing with difficult people and situations in your life by remembering God’s patience when dealing with your difficult behaviors and the situations you have created.
- Seek to know forgiveness in intentionally making efforts to restore broken relationships by asking for and giving pardon.
- Seek to know mercy more by intentionally practicing acts of mercy and kindness.
- Seek to know prosperity through helping others to prosper in the sharing of the blessings that God has given you.
- Seek to know how to give a voice to the voiceless in your life through prayers of petition that can lead to action and words guided by God’s Spirit for inspiration and change.
- Seek to find simplicity in living by learning to discern what is necessary and what is needless.
- Seek to live in ways that strengthen you, your family, and your community through encouraging, empowering, and edifying acts of love and graciousness.
- Seek to excise the sin in your life through the intentional practice of the opposite virtue. (i.e. if you have a problem with greed, be intentionally charitable… bitterness because of a lack of material or relationship, be intentional in thanksgiving for the possessions and people who are in your life… etc. )
- Seek to give those around you wings with which to fly, and landing gear for the times that they forget they can.
- Seek to be “foolish” enough that you don’t realize that what God calls you to do is impossible. (Though it may be when men are involved, it will never be when God calls you to it.)
- Seek to find contentment over happiness. In that spiritual space you will find joy that can’t be taken when the troubles come, and they always do.
Happy New Year! May it be filled with the blessing of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I'm always glad to hear from people who have taken time to read the posts here... even those who may not agree with me. I have had to make changes in the way I handle comments for this blog. They will all be subject to moderation from here on in. And as this is a personal blog and I have sole responsibility for its upkeep, it may take me a while to clear a post. I only ask 2 things from those who would leave comments.
1.) Please give your name. I have posted under mine, not anonymously or with a user name that would hide my identity. I would hope if someone was going to share an opinion, thought, criticism, or atta boy, that they would do so without fear of being identified so we can have an open dialogue.
2.) Please be respectful in the use of your language. Any cuss words, slurs, or other specifically vitriolic language will result in your comments not being posted. This is simply an attempt to keep a civil and life affirming tone for this space.
Thanks! And remember... Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss things. But small minds talk about people. Let's try to be great together.