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Psalm 31:14-15a – I trust in you, Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hands. (NIV 2011)
As I look over the last year, I ask myself, What have I done that God would be pleased with? Yes, I know that my times are in His hands, so I ask, What is He expecting of me in this new year? I trust Him explicitly with it all, but when I look at various verses in the Bible, I don't find it very encouraging. For instance, Paul wrote, "Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork" (Ephesians 5:11 MSG). Yes, I know that a lot that I do is just busywork, but that is life today. We run around really busy, getting little done that God would approve of. I don't want to spend time just on busywork or only following my daily habits, so I vow to commit each day to the Lord, praying about it. I know that it will be all right, for God will redeem my time, along with all the rest of my life, even when it is packed with my foolishness.
The answer to life's foolishness is to talk to Christ Jesus about our days. In effect, He stands at the door of the year knocking, waiting to come in as He says in Revelation 3:20. Yes, Jesus offers to come in, to eat with us, and to lead us safely through 2016. His love and the close friendship of His Spirit help us always as we reach out to others with His love and faithfulness. We are not alone — not ever! It is true that our times are in His hands. Everything will work out blessed by His grace. We need to pray to Him, though, staying close beside Him as we walk together through the year.
Yes, our times are in His hands. That makes me feel really safe and beloved. God's gift of time is a marvellous gift which you and I have received. We give grateful thanks and set out joyfully into the new year with confidence, receiving God's gift. Our time is in His hands; we cannot make a mess of it, for Jesus has redeemed our lives with His own — and He is there beside us.
Prayer: O Lord, we love You. Our time here on earth is Your gift to us, and You have redeemed it with Your life. It is all in Your hands, otherwise it would overwhelm us. Time here on earth can be so fleeting that we lose track of it. Where did 2015 go? We gave it to You and now, we dedicate all that we did in Your name. We thank You for Your faithfulness through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who holds us in His powerful hands. Amen.
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Have a blessed New Year Iris. Thanks for writing.
Thanks again Iris for your timely devotional. Blessings.
Well said Iris. Thank you and may your time in 2016 be filled with Peace and Joy.
Much appreciated.
(California)
Iris I always enjoy your words. Happy New Year.
(B.C.)
Very positive! Your thoughts are so encouraging knowing God has expectations for each of us. Grateful for you.
Thank you Iris for these great words this morning. Just what I needed to hear too! May God richly bless you in the year ahead.
Thank you Iris. Like you, I trust Christ with my future. Sometimes, though, I forget to leave things in His hands — and try to be the one in charge. Happy New Year.
Thank you Iris! What a lovely, encouraging reminder of God’s faithfulness and love for each of us.
May you continue to be blessed and be a blessing throughout 2016!
Thanks for your words of wisdom as we end one year and begin another one.
God truly holds the answers to our lives.
God’s Blessings to you for 2016.
Dear Iris:
Thanks for today’s message. It spoke to me – and I know I waste time. I seek Jesus’s will and control for the new year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Dear Iris Ford,
This is so beautifully written and encouraging. Thank you!
Have a blessed year 2016!
(B.C.)
Hello Iris
Thank you once again for your very thoughtful and challenging devotion. I lost my last sibling this year, leaving me alone except for his wife, and we call each other sister. What a glorious reunion in heaven when the right time comes. Of course, I have nieces and nephews and their families. I have my own children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, a number of them not serving the Lord, and that breaks my heart. I have put them all in the Lord’s hands as He has a plan for each one and my faith is in Him.
God bless you real good and I wish you a very BLESSED HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!!!
(Ca.)
Thank you Iris. You are able to share without being preachy and that always touches my heart.
I see how quickly I have reached my late 70’s, like a wisp of fog it has come and gone and now I am facing 80 and can’t believe it. My mind stopped at 45.
Well the Lord knows and as long as I take each day from His hand and use it as he leads me it is time well spent.
Happy New Year and may is be special for you.
Good Afternoon Iris:
What a message of challenge. A message to cause us to look deeply into our activities and sort out the many things we do daily, that are often little chores that are only “putting in time.”
Now that the busy holidays are over, I am going to adhere to your wise advice and waste less time doing busywork and more time dedicated to doing the things I know He would want me to do.
Have a pleasant week and a blessed New Year enjoying the blessing of God’s love, His Joy, His Peace and His Contentment.
Everything will work out blessed by His grace. We need to pray to Him, though, staying close beside Him as we walk together through the year.
Thank you, Iris, for your great words.
And I add:
Please, Lord, guide me, and all of your people on earth, day by day in 2016 that our days will count for you and your people in your kingdom, and will be used to team with you in bringing people into your kingdom, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.