Lord, thank you for the reminder that we don’t own our world; we’re just renters here. When we depart, we’re expected to leave the earth in as good a condition (or better) than it was when we arrived. Forgive us, Lord, for not taking better care of your beautiful creation. Guide us so that we become good stewards of your gifts.
New Year’s Eve is a time we often contemplate the past year, frequently with regrets and sorrow. We ponder the many “would have’s”, “should have’s” and “could have’s” in our lives. We may have lost a loved one, suffered ill health or financial difficulty, or struggled with personal challenges.
As we enter this new year, let’s look back on the joys of 2013. Reflect on the many ways you saw the hand of God at work, the times you heard his voice or felt his embrace, the moments you knew He was guiding or even supporting you. Today, let us look at the past year with grateful hearts for the many blessings and joy God sent to us. May the rear view mirror of our minds only reflect God’s kindness and love.
Thank you, Lord, for your abundant and unlimited love. Its depth is incomprehensible. I am so unworthy; make me worthy and show me how to share your love with others.
Discipline and punishment are two concepts that seem to have fallen out of favor and yet they teach us about living as we should: about accepting responsibility for our words and actions. They teach us self-restraint, the inevitability of consequences, and the importance of being true to ourselves and God. Oddly enough, I don’t remember ever thanking someone for punishing or disciplining me. In fact, I probably said unpleasant things about them under my breath. Today let’s give them some overdue thanks.
Thank you, Lord, for those people in the past who cared enough about us to demand good behavior and to teach us the difference between right and wrong. Thank you for those people in our lives today who won’t hesitate to chastise us when we err in our ways. Lord, thank you for correcting us by putting people in our lives who make us accountable for our conduct.
God does amazing things for us. He forgives us, redeems us, loves us and fills our lives with countless gifts. He may not cure our every ill, but he always heals our ailing spirits. He may not keep us from aging, but he will always renew our hearts and minds. No matter how difficult life may be, there are always blessings to count. Thank you God. Bless the Lord, oh my soul!
Praise isn’t just a response for the good times in our lives; it is a 24/7 deal. We may not like our present situation or be pleased with the current state of affairs, but we can love our God and praise His Holy Name. In the middle of our praise, we might just find joy and that peace that transcends all understanding!
Devotions of the Heart 