Apron Strings Devotional for1/1/99

New Year Special Edition! Happy Refreshing!!
12/31/98 - 1/1/98

Hi Dear Friends!!

I would like to add a new twist to the New Year greeting. I think, instead of saying, "Happy New Year," we should greet one another with "Happy Refreshing!" Soooo.....HAPPY REFRESHING!! ( Big ole grin )

Acts 3:19-20
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the *times of refreshing* shall come from the presence of the Lord; (emphasis mine)

Well, as I type this we are on the eve or brink of 1999. New beginnings, fresh starts, clean slates, and new resolutions..

What is the meaning of "new?" How can we start afresh, and yet get off on the "right foot?" I think back to my salvation experience, when God did that very thing in my life.

2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Sometimes, as we go along on this journey, we lose sight of the newness that has taken place in our hearts, in our very lives. Should not each day be fresh and new in Christ? Tomorrow marks a new year, a new beginning, and it is a wonderful place to "begin again." However I know in my heart, as a Christian, this newness could be taking place every single day.

I believe one key that greatly affects us, is we are constantly looking for that place of "arrival." Constantly trying to attain that peace and locking it into a seal-tight preservative jar, when all along, God wants to do a new thing with fresh beginnings..

Take today for instance.. Whatever is taking place in our lives today, is not necessarily going to dictate the "long run." When we look with our natural eyes, we may very well think that it is. It may play a role in what God is building, but didn't He say "all things are working together for GOOD, for those that love Him, that are the called according to His purpose?" ( Romans 8:28 ) God sees far past what we see with our natural eyes.

When I reflect on my own past reactions to certain situations, I realize that it is no wonder He was so grieved with the Israelites in the Old Testament. He could part a few seas in our lives today, and in some, I am sure He has...yet, we still get overwhelmed when some "new thing" hits us in the face, and then we think.."God, this one is even over Your Head!" Now, we may not necessarily verbalize it exactly that way, but that is the gist of our thoughts, when we worry, when we allow a situation to consume us.

Where am I going with this? I offer myself a challenge, and I humbly extend it to you as well.. As 1999 approaches us within the next few hours..let us repent for allowing the things of this world to consume us...for allowing the enemy to have "free rein" in areas that are reserved for our Father which art in Heaven. Let us ask Him to show us by the Spirit, what His definition of "new" is. Let us be loosened from things of old, and be ready to continue on the straight and narrow. Let us forgive others, including ourselves, for past wrongs. Let us ask the Father for forgiveness in areas that we need forgiveness, then thank Him and agree with Him that we are forgiven...and let us go on.

This year can only be started on the right foot if it is led by Him. We must consult His agenda before we start making our own. We will only have the "inside scoop" as long as we keep our ears tuned in to Him, and the other voices tuned out.

Isa 42:9
Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Isa 43:19
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

I will close with this poem that a dear Sis wrote and it blessed me greatly. Please read it and digest it slowly. It truly "says it all." It is a gift to start you off on your REFRESHING! ( smile )

A New Thing

The road has been curvy, twisting, and turning in many directions.
Fear not, it was I leading you deeper into Me and My perfection.
You are just now beginning to grasp that you are the apple of My eye.
And I have bottled your every tear and been moved by your heart's cry.

Never have I let you walk alone, for My Spirit has been present working in your behalf,
Turning your "dark times" to "light" and now giving you a time to laugh.
For the joy that springs forth from Me has now been doubled.
And I have given you clear directions so your thoughts will not be troubled.

You have trusted Me with childlike faith and have pushed on through much pain.
And all that you thought was lost forever has now turned into gain.
For I am faithful to all the promises I made to you in the past.
Alpha, Omega, beginning and end is My name, the first and the last.

Now the joy of the Lord shall be your strength and power.
And I will be your rock, your deliverer, your shield, and high tower.
For I am doing a new thing, something you have never seen before.
Wait for Me patiently, do not be anxious, for I have much in store.

I made a promise to you in Jeremiah 31:13 : "For I will turn their mourning into joy,
And I will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrows," This is for you.
Now pursue me diligently and continue to seek My face.
For you will no longer run separately, but together until you finish the race!
-Patty Arute-

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Amen?

God Bless You All soooooo much!!!!
Jesus loves you and I do too!!

In Christ!!
Carol Skipper
Justaservn@aol.com

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