Happy New Year!  A fresh beginning.. a year of new opportunities .. a time to start something new, perhaps?

Reading in a new devotional this morning , I am encouraged to set a goal for this new year.. to know and love the Lord more each day...  This is one of those things that at first glance you might say.. "of course"..  But, it is not something that will happen without effort, diligence, attention, and deliberate practice.  So, I am lifting up this goal as a prayer, for myself and for my loved ones.. and for anyone else that happens upon this blog ...

Lord God, You love us with amazing, unending, limitless love.  You have provided all that we need for salvation, redeeming us through the sacrifice of our Beloved Lord Jesus Christ.  This new year, Lord, we ask that You would strengthen us by Your Spirit in our inner beings, to grow in knowing You.. Father, Spirit, and Son.. and to love You more and more each day.  We ask this in the Name of the One who has all authority in heaven and earth,  Jesus, our King.  Amen.

Philippians 4  Paul gives some important final instructions to this church.. instructions that will help us also.. in our worthy walk.. in our quest to know Him and to love Him more:

"... so stand firm in the Lord.. " (v1) Daily... hourly.. minute by minute.. connection to our Savior!

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice."  ( v4)  Even if we don't feel like it?  YES!

" Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,  shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ( v6-7)  What a precious truth!

"Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence, and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. "  ( v8)

Paul testifies that he has learned to be "content in whatever circumstances " he encounters.   He has learned that he can "do all things through Him who strengthens"  him.  And, he can say with confidence that "God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

We also can find contentment, peace, joy, perseverance , and strength in Christ Jesus as we set our minds to know Him and to love Him more.   Let's set our minds on Jesus.. who is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise..  Let us endeavor to stand firm in Him, to rejoice in Him, to bring every need to Him and rest in His bountiful provisions, confident that He will supply all our needs also!  He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.. I know that He can care for me... and for you!

Praise to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.