DSW - Jan. 2023 - "Days & Times"

 Happy New Year, 2023!!  It's hard to believe we're standing on the precipice of a new year!  As I attempt to reflect upon 2022 in it's final hours, it seems like the last 365 days have passed in a BLINK! When I work hard to remember, I think of loved ones and friends who have taken passed this year, of changes within my own life and family, of changes in our community, state, country & world, and so much more.  I could regale you all day with precious and humorous stories of my grandchildren's escapades in 2022, of the blessings in the interactions with my clients and co-workers at the family & pregnancy resource center where I work, of the honor of being on stage to lead worship in various places this year, and so very much more.  But as I recall all these countless things, one thing comes to mind...what did I do to redeem the time?  Did I live this year in a way that honors the Lord and seeks His will for my life?  Am I closer to Him on this day than I was one year ago?

In his intro for his 2023 Daily Devotional, Dr. David Jeremiah said, "Your life is divided into days. Your days into moments. And the Lord Himself is the Master of each and every one....every day, every moment of the new year, is in His hands!" I could not have said it better myself!  These were exactly the thoughts that I had in my mind as I sought the Lord's will for this month's writing plan, and began to search the scriptures for it. I thought about how Eph. 5:15-17 urges us to do exactly that - redeem the time and seek the Lord's will in it, 

15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (KJV)
The NLT translation states it this way:
15So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

As we read our Bible, we can see that God has MUCH to say about days and times.  A simple word search on both of those words yields HUNDREDS of results! God is indeed the "master of each and every one," and His word supports that assertion. If His Word so carefully chronicles this, imagine how much He is still the master of all the moments of our lives!  How do we strive to "redeem the time?" Do we spend time in His Word, in prayer and in Christian service? Do we honor Him with our lives by following His commandments, decrees and directives?  I know in the coming year, I certainly can do a better job of "redeeming the time" that He so graciously gives me!  

"Lord, help us to be more mindful to 'redeem the time' You give us in the upcoming year. Let us honor You with our lives, with our hearts, with our deepest and innermost thoughts. Let us be Your hands and feet and a light of Your love to a lost and dying world around us. In all we say and do, let us honor You. In Jesus' Name - AMEN."

May you all have a most BLESSED and HAPPY NEW YEAR!! ~ Mel ~

Note: My plans are based on the King James Version of the Holy Bible, so other translations may vary a bit in wording, but the intent of the selected passages should be the same. All my plans are written for 31 days so that they may be used in any month of the year with sufficient daily assignments.







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