RE Verse reading–Mark 5:22-43 (day one)
“A large crowd followed and pressed around him. A woman. . .came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. . .at once Jesus realized that power had gone out of him.” (vs 24,27, 30) It is THE most impressive characteristic of Jesus. Ok, one of the most. He was never in a hurry. Never stressed by outward pressure or deadlines or urgent needs stacking up around him. Modern folks talk about being “present in the moment”. Jesus knew how to do it, even before it was cool. A calm heart comes from inward concentration on God, inward confidence in God. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee” (Isaiah 26:3) As the New Year comes, with all of its demands, may we learn this lesson from the Savior–we can be calm in pressure-filled situations when our mind is stayed on God. Be still, dear friends, be still.
I have asked the Lord to prepare me for 2013 by giving me scriptures that will be foundations for me in this coming year.
So far He has given me:
Ps 78
….I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
They would not be like their ancestors—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.
and Ps 73
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
I have been around long enough to know one does not give testimony such as the one I gave yesterday without consequences. So… shockingly(as if I did not see that coming)… last night I began to feel really ill. I just positioned myself in rest before the Lord (and woke a few hours later feeling perfectly well). As I did He spoke to my heart about being still and knowing that He is God. He said this will be my strength in this coming year. Out of humility and utter dependence on Him/weakness of the flesh, I will find His strength and will bear fruit to God. Thanks for “hearing” the same thing and confirming it for me. I remember how you used to say, “stay on your knees”….. maybe this year “be still” will influence my life the same way.
Happy New Year! May His perfect Will be your daily portion and only desire. Amen.