Live Free For Jesus
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Janet's Blog
Janet's Blog
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A New Year - Words of Wisdom
| Posted on 26 December, 2015 at 0:53 |
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New Year is a very special time for most of us and it is special to God as well. He knows we lift our sights at this time of year and I am sure this is why He gave this time to us. In scripture, He shows Himself to be a God of times and seasons, so it's not sentimental that I should say this. Years ago in the 70s I had to do with a Christian Center that really had the Presence of God and a really nice spiritual family atmosphere. There was much praise and worship and rejoicing there. This church was also prophetic. Each year at this time, we saw the New Year in with praise, rejoicing and celebration. And right at midnight, we would wait on Him expectantly for a prophetic word for the coming year. It was wonderful, each time He would speak to us through the pastor in leadership there who moves very well in the gift of prophecy. It was good to hear what The Lord had to say. We would follow that will early morning supper and chat and went home happy and content to wake up and live in that new year. I really missed that for a number of years when I moved on. But I still like to keep that tradition myself in a quiet way with The Lord. At the end of a year (the last week) I like to dismiss the things that I am happy to say goodbye to from that year, to reflect on the good things and thank God for them. Then I would have pleasant expectations for the next year and make plans rather than resolutions (they don't work with most of us). But making Plans and applying yourself to them is a good way to go. Word of Compassion For a number of years Christmas and New Year was wrecked for me and I know a few Christians who can relate with that. It seems our enemy knows the importance of this time too - that we have expectations and maybe a vision in God. Often he can attempt to frustrate that and squash our expectations so they're nipped in the bud before they come to anything......and.....sometimes it's just to make us upset (creating a same year after year effect) so we are low on expectations and do not hold much hope for the year. That's sad and I can relate with with it. Many years ago, I experienced a medically induced chemical imbalance that affected me awfully, following wrong steps on a negligent practitioner's part when he should have known I was acutely anemic at the time. After that, I ended up in a hospital wrongly diagnosed and detained against my will and mismanaged by the staff.That was at Christmas and new year time. That was followed by a number of years where each year there was something that was really upsetting at Christmas and New Year time. My son started to spend the season with friends instead that was less upsetting because he was happy there. Don't judge him for that because he cared for me such a lot and was always there for me apart from a few years he lived away on my advice when he asked my permission. They were difficult years I was glad to see the end of. However, my new lease on life was followed by several years where a few close friends kept sharing some deep problems over and over repeatedly with me. I actually experienced what is called 'burn-out' as a result of this - a physical condition of exhaustion that effects you emotionally as well (you can't feel a thing) it's quite distressing and detrimental to your prayer life because you can't express your love for Him or sense His Love for you. I had no joy in my walk with God at that time, none whatsoever but had to rest and trust in God. I got over that. He restored me and gave a sense of Love, Joy and Peace back to me. But each Christmas and New Year was affected by a nephew's hardship that hit him hard that time every year (more than most people experience). So now, I have to take two weeks off each year from anyone's problems - I refrain from communications that get me down now and especially at this time of year. Word of Advice I ADVISE THAT YOU DO WHATEVER YOU CAN THE SAME, IF THAT IS POSSIBLE AND YOU HAVE A NEED FOR IT. MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE CAN BE THERE FOR SOMEONE WHO IS REALLY IN NEED. AND YOU CAN ASSURE THEM OF A NICE TIME TOGETHER IN THE NEW YEAR THEY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO. THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO DO NOW. BESIDES, YOU WILL FEEL FRESHER FOR IT - FOR THEM AS WELL AS YOURSELF. SO THAT IS NOT UNKIND. COMPASSION IS ALRIGHT WHEN IT'S HEALTHY AND SYMPATHY AND DEMANDS DO NOT DOMINATE. IF YOU FEEL DIFFERENTLY ABOUT THAT, I POSTPONED THINGS UNTIL GOD GAVE ME THIS WISDOM. YOU CAN DECIDE WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU. This is another way you can go about things: you can make their Christmas week special in some way and then take the New Year week to 10 days off so you can still be refreshed. Christmas can be for giving happiness and comfort........ and New Year can be just for you: help yourself to it. See what's right for you. Back to Joy! Do you know that in some countries, celebration is a very important part of their way of life us Westerners in English speaking countries have not ever experienced? Especially in the Middle East. Some of them have three day wedding celebrations with three bridal dresses and all. Most of those countries have more than the standard occasions we have like Christmas and Birthdays. In some Asian countries, they experience moments of bliss in the midst of hard situations we know nothing about that helps them cope with that stress. The word bliss is not in the average person's vocabulary in English speaking countries. Not since the world wars at least and modern way of living. But in bible days, Israel had many Feast Days given by God our Creator, where the people would come together and celebrate. They would make merry - they did not need wine for this - with gladness of heart. Notice, that God instigated all this? Yes He knows what's good for us. In fact, He said on one occasion "do not grieve, for this is a holy day". You know, there is something holy about gladness of heart the world does not know anything about. If you are reading this after New Years Day, take the first 2 or 3 weeks of January to plan a few things and brighten your outlook for 2016. There is something good and right and comely about STARTING A NEW YEAR FRESH WITH HIM. God Bless You - Enjoy!!! |