Devotional for the New Year, Part 1

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.

~Proverbs 3:5-6

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We're fast approaching a brand new year. Yet another year looms before us, full of joys and sorrows, blessings and trials. That may seem scary to some-the thought that the unknown lies before them. But as for Christians, we're comforted and joyful-looking forward to the wonderful blessings that lie ahead. Sure, we know that there will be some disappointments, sorrows and trials, but we know that nothing occurs apart from our Lord's will-His good, pleasing and perfect will. His plans for us are always better than anything we could ever hope for, imagine, or plan for ourselves.(Eph. 3:20)

At the beginning of this year and throughout it, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. There will be times that you have no idea why a certain circumstance is happening to you and you may feel like God couldn't possibly have His hand in it, working it all together for good. But let my testimony serve to remind you that our blessed Lord and Savior does work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Trust completely and wholeheartedly in Him. He's the only one who is completely trustworthy. He planned, before the foundation of the world, exactly what would happen to us and our families throughout this coming year. So, trust and look expectantly to what the Lord has planned for you this year! :)

During 2008, from the first day of it to the very last, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths! He has promised to do that. Everytime you face some big decision this coming year, before you do anything, ask God for guidance and for His will to be done in your life. Consult His Word, as well, to refresh yourself with what His commands, statutes and principles are. This will help you to make your decision in accordance with Him and His Word, in order to bring glory to Him. And do not make a decision and do something that is contrary to what God's Word clearly says, thinking that that's what the Lord is calling you to do. Just because He may not come down from heaven and personally punish you for what you're doing, doesn't mean that He's calling you to do what you're doing, and that it's His will. Because He will never ever call you to do something that is contrary to His commands!

In conclusion, don't fear the upcoming year! Look forward to it, knowing that God will be there with you and will be leading you every step of the way(Joshua 1:9 & Proverbs 16:9). Trust in Him fully and always and acknowledge Him and His will in everything!