Daily Devotional For Wednesday, December 27, 2023

A New Year is almost here. Can you believe we are at the end of 2023 and are about to enter 2024? They say, "Time flies when you are having fun." I know that as we are about to enter into a New Year, many people make New Year's resolutions. Everything from wanting to lose weight to cultivating better health, to improving one's finances through developing a budget and sticking to it, to better health mentally and physically.

I would like to ask all of us to make a spiritual and discipling New Year's Resolution -- to have a daily quiet time with God. Yes, you will have to make this a priority. Yes, you will need to schedule it in your calendar in your phone or digital device to remind you and yes you will need to consistently do it. We really have no idea how much God loves us. Most Christians know Jesus came and died and rose from the grave for them, but they do not seek Him out during the week except maybe on Sundays. This year -- let's be different. 

If you are married and ever had anything to do with your spouse except one day a week, your marriage would die quickly. If you have a best friend and you never talked to them and did things with them except once a week, your relationship would not grow well. It takes time to grow relationships. 

Many people call it a "Quiet Time" based on Psalm 46:10a, "Be still and know that I am God" (NLT).  It is hard, almost impossible to hear from God, when the TV is on, your digital devices are going off with alarms, reminders, text messenges and emails. So, first, make having a daily Quiet Time a priority. Second, block a time frame that is best around the same time each day. Third, turn off of silent all digital devices. and fourth, pick a plan. Fifth, then do it. Sixth, write down what God says to you and what you said to God. Seventh, spend time in prayer.

Why should you have a daily quiet timr?

1. God desires our fellowship. This makes it an honor and not a duty. Look at John 4:23, "But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way" (NLT).
2. Jesus deserves my attention. Look at Isaiah 53:5-6, But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed. (6) All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
    We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all" (NLT).
3. This helps you reach your goal of Christlikeness. Look at Romans 8:28-29, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. (29) For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters" (NLT).
4. Having a daily quite time keeps me spiritually healthy. Look at 1 Peter 2:2, "Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment" (NLT).
5. You receive spiritual cleansing. Look at 1 John 1:7, "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin" (NLT).
6. You receive daily counsel from God. Look at Proverbs 3:5-6, rust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. (6) Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take" (NLT).
7. You receive spiritual preparation for spiritual warfare. Look at Ephesians 6:10-18, "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (11) Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. (12) For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. (14) Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. (15) For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. (16) In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. (17) Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (18) Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere" (NLT).

So commit now and for the new year 2024, that you will do this. Not only will you be blessed for doing this, but you will be a blessing to others. Tomorrow, I will give you some more tips on how to do this effectively. I love you and God bless.

Pastor Kelly

Scripture to Meditate On: James 4:8a, "Come close to God, and God will come close to you" (NLT).

Prayer to Pray: "Dear God, this coming New Year 2024, I really want to grow in my relationship with You. I want it to be a priority. I pray that Your Holy Spirit will convict me to do this and will speak to me as I do. Dear Father, I do not want to get to heaven and look at You and it appears we are strangers. I want to be a friend of God. So, I commit to cultivating a daily queit time with You. In Jesus' name, Amen!"