by Barbara Latta
New Year’s
resolutions can build stress. We feel pressured to make them, then condemned by
our own minds when we don’t complete any of these tasks.
A tradition started by a lot of people has been to choose a word for the year to focus on. This habit releases us from the stress of attempting unobtainable goals and instead gives our minds a daily dose of health to meditate upon. Once we do this, we can find that we can change our lives without New Year’s Resolutions.
by Barbara Latta
Our inboxes and news headlines are
filled right now will different aspects of setting goals for another year.
Rather than inundate ourselves with more than we can comprehend or do, an
alternative would be to concentrate on the promises God gives us in His Word. These
life-giving assurances are not only for the beginning of another calendar but
will fulfill us every day.
Here are 7 promises from God for the
New Year for us to meditate upon.
1. Freedom from loneliness and fear.
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen
you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)
2. Freedom from guilt and
condemnation. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in
Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
(Romans 8:1)
3. Freedom from spiritual and
soulish emptiness. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor
angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
4. Freedom from worry and anxiety.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
5. Peace – Peace I leave with
you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not
your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)
6. Provision – As His divine
power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through
the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. (1 Peter 1:3)
7. Protection – Because you
have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. (Psalm
91:9-10)
His promises are always yes and amen
(2 Corinthians 1:20). He never fails and we know we can always depend upon
the truth of His Word to work in our lives.
What encouragement can you add to
this list?
7 promises from God for the New Year(click to tweet)
.jpg)
As the ball drops in New York City and people around the world
watch the clock hands move toward midnight on New Year’s Eve, choruses of a
familiar song resound through the air.
Why do we sing Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s Eve?
Written by Robert Burns in the 1780’s this anthem grew into a
Scottish tradition. The words are translated as “for old time’s sake.” We use
this song to remember our friendships and relationships, memories, and experiences
of the past year.
The entire song is lengthy and does contain some verses about
taking up a pint or two, but we can use this to bring to mind the blessings of
the people in our lives and the ways we can provide love and kindness to them.
Should
auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne.
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
May
2023 bring abundant favor, health, and prosperity to your lives. Thank you for
being a part of my life by reading and contributing to Navigating Life’s
Curves.
Join
the conversation and share your thoughts.
Why do we sing Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s Eve? (click to tweet)
Christmas Carols Part Three
O Holy Night was written in 1843 by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, a French wine maker. He was commissioned by a priest of the Catholic Church to write a poem for Christmas Mass. Cappeau’s friend, Adolphe Charles Adam, composed the music and the combination of their talents produced the worshipful rendition we have used for years to celebrate the day Christ was born.
Celebrating Christmas Carols Part Two
by Barbara Latta
Another favorite Christmas song of mine is O Come All Ye Faithful. Listening to all these old hymns at Christmas brings back memories of my childhood when we sang them at church. I didn’t comprehend the meaning of the words at that time, but I enjoyed the feeling of exaltation they brought to my heart. I know the feelings were holiday emotion, but I knew Christmas was about Jesus.Celebrating Christmas Carols Part One
by Barbara Latta
I love Christmas carols! A lot of the newer songs are great
and beautiful, but in my opinion the old hymns we sing year after year are the
best. But because we sing them year after year, the meaning behind the words
can get lost in the tune.
Read the lyrics to Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and absorb what these inspired words say to your soul. This song proclaims the entire gospel message, and we should sing this old song all year. The words were penned by Charles Wesley, a Methodist minister who preached in the 1700’s. He wrote this message as a poem and George Whitefield later put the poem to music.
Christmas is just around the corner and our thoughts turn to giving. If anyone on your list is a reader, I have some great suggestions for giving the gift of reading. These books will bless the recipients over and over because books never grow old.
