Good advice for Christians in the New Year

How to Live from Romans 12:9-13 and 15-18

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Contribute to the needs of saints, practice hospitality. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.

Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.

Jesus said, “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight.” Matthew 10:27
This means to be quiet when things are the darkest – listen to God. He will give you a precious message for someone when it’s light again.

To resent and resist God’s disciplining hand is to miss one of the greatest spiritual blessings we Christians can enjoy this side of Heaven. Christians who are strong in faith grow if we accept and not become bitter and resentful. If we accept with joy we know God is controlling our lives. There is joy to be discovered in suffering. A lot of those who suffer are more enviable than those who seem to be set apart, untouched like a piece of fine china in the locked chest. Without dark clouds in our lives we would never know the joy of sunshine. We can become callous and unteachable if we do not learn from pain.

When we are weak and powerless, God is there to give us strength. When we lack wisdom, He will supply it. Healing is not instantaneous; it is a process. When we admit that we cannot heal ourselves and fall to our knees and ask God to take over, we will be on the road to spiritual health.

Psalm 91:15 promises: “He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.”

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

Our natural tendency when we have a painful happening in our lives is to go into action – sometimes it is wiser to wait and just be still. The answers will come.

There are many times when God withdraws to test your faith. He wants you to trust Him in the darkness. Reach up in faith. His hand will be there. God will never leave or forsake us.

We are called to encourage, support and let lonely, hurting people know they are not alone. God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to comfort others.

A Psalm to remember when raising children (Ps. 72:15)
“Pray continually and praise daily.”

Be Still and Know That I Am God

Our natural tendency when we have a problem is to rush into a quick fix. Do something right away to get rid of the problem.

God tells us clearly in the Bible to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

That’s the first thing a Christian should do in any situation. Being still is asking for God’s direction and then listening to what He says. He may have a message for you. Jesus said, “What I tell you in the dark; speak in the daylight.” (Matthew 10:27) He may want us to learn something through our troubles that will help someone else later in their troubles. We are called to love others, comfort them and show them that God loves them.

When we are hurrying and busy, we are only thinking of ourselves. When we stop and let God order and guide our thoughts, they turn first to Him. We were created to be in a relationship with our creator. Thinking of Him first is natural and gives us peace.

Many times we rush to say things we later regret. Proverbs 10:19 says, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Stop and listen before you say something. Then you will have nothing to take back.

Psalm 62:5 says, “For God alone my soul awaits in silence for my hope is from Him.” Hope is what it’s all about. Hope in God and in our faith is a sure thing for Christians. God will never forsake us. His Bible, His prophecies are real and true. Be still and listen to Him.