Tuesday, January 1, 2008

New Year---New Things

Isaiah 48:6
You have heard my predictions and seen them fulfilled,but you refuse to admit it.Now I will tell you new things,secrets you have not yet heard.

Romans 4:17
That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

Titus 3:5
He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 65:17
"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 42:9
See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you."


I love to visit blogs I have never seen before. It isnt something I have a lot of time to do, but occasionally, I have a few minutes to click around and check out blogs that are new to me. Recently, I clicked on a blog as I looked through the posts I noticed that every post was simply a verse from the Bible. I like to look at these blogs to take a peek into the lives of the people who created them, so I wasnt expecting to see Bible verses as the only thing in every post. I quickly clicked out of that blog and moved on to another more interesting one. Then it hit me, I just closed the door on Jesus Christ Himself. John 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word WAS God". When I left that blog in haste, I might as well have said "Jesus, you are boring to me, so I am moving on to more interesting topics". After all, is the Word of God written in a blog or on a computer screen any less powerful than it is in any other form? The Word of God, whether on a screen or written in a book, is "living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart".The Word of God is the Word from God no matter where you read it. And God can speak to us however He chooses - why not through a blog?

I realized that day that sometimes I have more interest in what a mere person has to say than I do in what the One and Only has to say to me. I am not saying that I don't have quiet time with the Lord, but maybe there are times aside from just my everyday ordinary quiet time that He wants to talk to me. I am embarrassed to say that I know there are times when I am too busy or too uninterested to listen to what He has to say to me. I get busy and I know He is urging me to spend time with Him, but sometimes I procrastinate and miss out on whatever it is He wants to share with me. Stupid of me, I know. What could be more important than a Word from God's mouth to my heart? Ummmmm, NOTHING.

I seem to be an expert at giving more attention to other people than I do to God. I don't think there is anything wrong with viewing other people's blogs, as a matter of fact, I am blessed everyday by what I read on many of your blogsites. What IS wrong is when I look at the Word and see it as irrlevant to me. I don't just do this in blog land, but in my home as well. There are so many times when I should sit down with the Lord, but I choose to do something else instead.

When you saw the verses I listed above, did you read through them all or did you scan to see if I personally had something to say? (Trust me I have nothing to say that would be anywhere near as significant to you and your life as the Holy Bible).

The above verses talk about new things that the Lord has done and will do in the future. I pray that He helps me get over myself (and others) and focus on the 'new things' He wants to do in me in 2008. Isaiah 43:9 says, "Behold, I am doing a new thing!". I am banking on this promise in my own life. Lord Jesus, I need you to do a 'new thing' in me (and I really need it soon ;-) - a new post concerning impatience coming soon :-).

Happy First Day of 2008!

9 comments:

ocean mommy said...

Good word here sister! I read several of those verses this morning, so to see them here again was so cool!

Praying that our God blesses you and your family this year.

Anticipating HIM
steph.

Fran said...

Ooooh that was good bethanne. And yes I too will quickly move on to many other things when I should be doing something with Him (or dismissing Him sooner than I should). I tell ya, it can be tough. but, I do want to slow down and practice being more intentional with what I do in my time with Him.

Slooooowwwwwing dooooowwwwn~
Fran

Alana said...

I have noticed myself doing that before...so much that I now try to make a conscious effort not to do that.

It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas, loved the pictures!

As for resolutions, I'm resolving to work on the inside and the outside! But you are right, inside comes FIRST!!

Happy New Year friend!

Fran said...

Titus 3:5
He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

I just had to come back and say thanks for this scripture. I especially found it sweet to my heart today.

Love,
Fran

Earen said...

Great post Bethanne! Always convicting my heart.

Anonymous said...

Ouch! I know I can be guilty of this very thing. I am a FAST reader and can gloss over something especially if it something I am already familiar with.
By the way, did you ever go back to that Blog with all the verses?

Renee said...

Again, your words shoot right to my heart. Sooo true!!

I really liked the verses that you included. At the beginning of a NEW year, it is great to remember them. Thank you!

jennyhope said...

thanks for your honesty because I have been feeling the same way lately and have been begging God for more of His Spirit without measure and a greater hunger for Him. I need Him so much...and I desperately need to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit!

He Knows My Name said...

you cut me to the quick young lady.

~janel