Happy New Year! Happy New Year?
Well, how is it so far? Two weeks into the Year of the Tiger . . . One lesson has been made clear to me: The devil doesn’t do Tet. The devil doesn’t take New Year’s off.
Like a string of firecrackers going off on New Years in the Vietnam that once was, explosions have been going off in the lives of those in our faith family and the families of many in the Treasure Valley. The pop-pop-pop of phone calls and emails detailing hurting hearts, family relationships strained, and the short fuse of anger burning quickly to violent release
have been deafening.
The last devotion I posed the questions, “Are you optimistic about the New Year? Are you hopeful?” Despite the way this year has begun, I have a bent ear toward the voice of excitement and hope, listening over the din of the loud banging of sinful words and actions in the lives of those I care about so dearly.
You can too, giving your attention to the voice of the One who holds this New Year and all the future in his hands. Give your ears and the thoughts of your heart to the words our Heavenly Healer inspired the Apostle Paul to write to Titus, beginning in 3:3 . . .
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
This progression is the best way to block out the seemingly overpowering blast of sin that doesn’t even wait until the New Year’s special fried rice is cool before blasting into the lives of God’s people.
First, Paul reminds us that we all share the same sinful history—for some, it has been years or even decades since the time when sin reigned before you were called to faitth in Jesus. For others, it has been just a matter of months since life was lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
But God has called us out of that life. That’s the term for the Church—those who have been called out. You have. Make the next section of Scripture personal by reading the following verses out loud:
But when the kindness and love of God my Savior appeared, God saved me, not because of righteous things I had done, but because of his mercy. He saved me through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on me generously through Jesus Christ mySavior, so that, having been justified by his grace, I might become an heir having the hope of eternal life.
Like a loving parent covers the ears of a child when the loud fireworks burst in the night sky, God protects you when the bursts of sinful action and words explode all around you.
Are you stressin’? Feeling the stress even as the New Year celebration fades into memory and 4x6 glossies? Check out the final verse of this section: “This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”
This is the lesson for us in this year that is not so new anymore. God wants to stress these things to us. Be careful. Too often we jump out into the average day without being careful. You fasten your seat belt before your morning commute, don’t you? Well don’t forget to spiritually buckle up. Remember, your enemy the devil is a roaring lion looking for someone to devour . . . and he doesn’t do Tet—he doesn’t take a day off. Protect yourself. Put on the full armor of God—center your thoughts and life on spiritual things, remember your status as God’s dear child, and remember what today is for: giving thanks to God for everything He has done for you. Be careful what you think, say, and do. Empowered by God’s forgiveness, this will be a good day and a good year.
Prayer idea: please pray for those who are dealing with the impact of sinful words and actions. Pray for those you know who are struggling in thier faith right now. Pray that God will help you to be spiritually careful in this New Year.
Blessings on your weekend,
--Pastor Dan
Happy New Year!