So, I guess I'll try to make this one short... (Yeah, you're laughing now. Kara, writing something short!? :)) In the Bible Reading Club, today's reading / challenge was to find five Bible verses that represented what our goals were for 2013. I chose... (Wow, I just realized they all start with "1" except for James!)
1) James 4:8 - "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." I want to draw nearer to God during 2013. I want to know Him more deeply and more truly than I ever have before!
2) 1 Corinthians 13 - this is the famous "love" chapter. As I've probably posted about many times before, I want to have God's love for others - the kind of love described in this chapter. I want to stop being judgmental of other people and instead love them in a Christ-like manner. So for 2013 I want to have love for others that is not of my own power... a love that is from God, a love that will point them t the Savior of the World.
3) 1 Chronicles 16:11 - "Seek the LORD and His strength; [s]eek His face evermore!" I guess this is similar to James 4:8, but I like how this mentioned "evermore". I want to seek God not only when I read the Bible in the morning, but throughout the entire day... "evermore".
4) 1 Peter 3:8 - "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted..." Though I mainly picked this one thinking of unity, it also kind of fits with 1 Cor 13 as well...
5) 1 Peter 3:15 - "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, wit meekness and fear..." I need to have answers for those who ask!
So there you go. My spiritual New Year's resolutions. What are yours?
"Klarabelle"
P.S. Oh, yes, and more typical New Year's resolutions include things like... getting my allergy under control, trying not to let hundreds of e-mails pile up in my inbox, and stuff like that. :)
P.S. Oh, yes, and more typical New Year's resolutions include things like... getting my allergy under control, trying not to let hundreds of e-mails pile up in my inbox, and stuff like that. :)
Lovely post, Klarabelle!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, dear! :)
DeleteFrom Riversbend:
ReplyDeleteI really like the verses you chose! They are great! These verses seem to say like you want to be more of one body with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, and that you would spend more time in the Word to be able to answer those who question you. Am I right? Hope all is well!
My New year's resolution:
1. To live for Christ like I never have before.
2. To set a Godly example to my friends.
3. To eat healthier and exercise more. =)
4. To read 12 more silent reading books before the school year ends!
P.S. I was wondering if there was any safe way to get your email and for me to safely get yours....if not that is ok. I totally understand if you don't want to!
Ok, I just deleted my first comment because I wanted to reword what I said! :) Anyway, thanks so much for your comment (about the new year's resolution). Yep, that's precisely what I meant! :) Thanks also for sharing your new year's resolutions! :)
DeleteOoh, it would be so fun if we could e-mail! My e-mail is actually on my (other) site... http://www.karasiert.com/contact.htm (under the "contact the author"...) There are ways you could safely give me your e-mail, but if you wanted to just e-mail me? ... Ok, I don't know if I'm making sense...
you make sense! I will just e-mail YOU sometime! Have a Christ-filled day! :)
DeleteFrom Riversbend
I meant safely give you mine! :)
ReplyDeleteRiversbend~
I love all the verses you picked!! Most them are some of my favorites. :D
ReplyDeleteHappy new year!
well I meant to say they ARE my favorites. :) oops!!
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