As I am sitting here at my home finishing up my “New Year’s Day” message for the church, God is stirring something new in my spirit. Psalm 96:1 tells us to, “Sing unto the Lord a new song…” God is reminding me that we need to spend time with Him for us to receive that “new song”. The psalmist goes on to say in verse 8 that we need to, “Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts.” I am asking a question, “What is my offering?”
I am coming to know that my offering can be different at different times of my life. Right now, I am preparing to enter into the New Year with a multiple day fast. Over the past year, I am reflecting on the areas where I have drawn closer to God and also the areas where I feel that I have been pulling away. I feel that in some ways, I have lost some of my passion. I must ask, “But why?” I love God with my whole heart, mind, soul and strength. Isn’t that enough? Is God asking more? I believe He is.
Joshua made it clear in Joshua 24:15 that he was going to serve the Lord no matter what others chose. It was not the most popular decision at that time but he had to make up his mind that nothing and no one would pull him away for Jehovah, his God. Joshua was able to say that because of what he said in verse 14. He said, now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods of your fathers… “
There are times when I have my mind made up and I do not want anyone to try and change it (not even God). I think that I know what is right. Many of the Israelites were in that same boat. They thought they were serving Jehovah but in fact, they were serving the gods of their fathers. They were doing what they were taught and they thought they were right. Joshua made it clear, just as Elijah did in 1 Kings 21. Elijah said, How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him…” It is interesting how the verse ends. It sates, “But the people answered him not.” Why? Because they thought they were right. They thought they could do what they wanted and no one was going to tell the otherwise. Not even a prophet of God or even God Himself.
Is God giving me that same choice today? Is God giving you the same choice today? I believe the answer is an astounding, “YES”!
So what is my new song for 2012? It is the understanding that I need to make a choice? I am going to put God above everything. Nothing will come between me and my God. Just like Joshua, I am choosing this day that I am going to serve the Lord and Him alone. The new song is learning to say, “No” to interruption and learning to say “Yes” to the Lord changing me every day. I chose today, to start looking into my life and in everything I do as the Psalmist states in verse 8 of Psalm 96. I will bring my offering to Him and give glory to His name. I will come into His courts in worship and bow down before Him. I am going to choose this day (and every day of 2012 and beyond) to serve the Lord.
Geof December 31, 2011 3:17 PM
Amen to putting God first – and saying “no” to interruption & distractions! Blessings mate.
kevin January 2, 2012 7:25 PM
Not that easy, is it? It seems like the more one presses on the more interruptions that come. Is there ever an end? I do not think so but I think there will be a reward if we do press on.
Linda Rowe December 31, 2011 4:41 PM
I hear Him too, calling me and us to serve Him only and to keep to His Word only and to be willing to change/add/delete what He leads me to do. It is the only place of safety, or as I meditate on it, The Only Place of Safety, in Jesus’ Name.
Thank you for sharing your committment with us, and I and we look forward to hearing His Word, through His servant, Kevin.
Linda Rowe
Kevin Smith January 2, 2012 7:40 PM
I pray that 2012 will be the year of the “insert key” because it really did seem that the year of 2011 was the year of the “delete key”. God challenged me to remove many things in my life and now, I am ready for the new!
Karen Psalm January 1, 2012 1:54 AM
God has been speaking to me about having more quiet alone time with Him. Thia morning I had 2 new songs come to me, but unable to write them down. That’s ok. The gist of them was worship God in every area of our lives, with all that we are. Do everything for Him out of love for Him & thankfulness, greatfulness. Always putting Him 1st; do His will. Glorifying Him in all I think, say, & do. Take inventory; “wash up”, get rid of hinderances, “junk”, clean out the cobwebs. Instead of choosing what’s good choose His best. Trust God that e’ll wok out things for good, for the best. Thank you for sharing your reflection. God bless.
…with my eyes fixed on the goal I push on to secure the prize of God’s heavenward call in Christ Jesus. Phil.3:14 WNT
In Christ,
Karen
Kevin Smith January 2, 2012 7:49 PM
It is amazing how he gives us a song when we need it. Even if we do not write it down, when we need it again, He will bring it back to our remembrance. Ecclesiastes 12:1, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”
watchman January 2, 2012 4:07 AM
Can’t find a thing to disagree with, only hope copycatting is as easy as agreeing.
watchman January 2, 2012 4:11 AM
Seems to be a 5 hour error in posting time..
Kevin Smith January 2, 2012 7:32 PM
Thank you. Looking into it now.
Kevin Smith January 2, 2012 7:36 PM
Copy the good, and trash the bad!
Marsha January 2, 2012 2:37 PM
I fasted one day last week and I had forgotten what a wonderful experience it is to spend that time in prayer and to feel the closeness of God and to hear him speak to me. Plan on doing more of it in 2012.
Kevin Smith January 2, 2012 7:35 PM
Amen… It is amazing how God honors fasting. It is a choice to give up the food to open yourself up to hear from God. It never fails that some major breakthrough happens whenever I fast. I am working on a program to get fasting partners together for accountability and prayer. I believe that God really wants to do something through His church but He is waiting for us to want it. We need to draw near to God and God WILL draw near to us. Keep me posted on what God does in your life as you obey Him.
Deborah January 2, 2012 5:51 PM
you have chosen the difficult and narrow path— good choice!
Kevin Smith January 2, 2012 7:30 PM
As for me… I think it is the only choice. I have seen God do too much to ever make another choice.
Holly January 2, 2012 6:47 PM
Being open to truth is always my desire. I find that as much as I try to do everything right sometimes I still don’t feel quite satisfied. I am learning that’s when God is trying to get some truth across to me. It’s when I am alone with God and quiet that He reveals His truth and sets me free – when I choose to “know the truth” and obey then my walk with Him grows sweater and more precious. My favorite time of the day is early morning. I wake each day excited to see what my Savoir has for me in His word. It’s just like getting a letter from Him to me daily! I find great fulfillment during this time and I feel prepared for the day.
Kevin Smith January 2, 2012 7:38 PM
Truth is key. Sometimes hearing the truth hurts but it always makes one heal. Truth takes off the bad layer and exposes the new. When the new is exposed, God is able to do greater things through us. That is why the Truth will set us free!
Dianne January 9, 2012 2:19 AM
Sometimes it is so easy to get distracted and to find excuses to put off time alone with God, to hear what He has to say to you, to praise Him for what he has done in our lives. And even when we do set aside time with Him, we can get caught up into setting limits on our time with God. Once we open our hearts to Him, he will provide just what we need. The key is opening, and softening our our hearts to Him, being receptive to Him. God does reveal His truth to us in these quiet times. Those times are so important and is what gets us through each day.