un nuovo anno

hello friends. i've decided to change things up a bit this year on my blog. i need a better way of journaling, so this is going to be it. that being said, it might get a little personal. that's alright though. i believe in being transparent. i believe in letting others learn and grow from your experiences. so here we go. to begin, i wanted to share with you my new year's resolution. i was talking with a friend about resolutions and about how we should really be careful when making them. most people automatically think about things they want to do or change about themselves, and don't think to ask the lord if those things are what he wants for them or not. it is important to bring everything before the lord, but i think especially those things on which we place so much importance and pressure, like resolutions. i had it easy though. my new year's resolution is to spend time in the word every single day. that is something that i have really struggled with this year. it was hard for me to transition to an entirely new routine when i started my job, and learning when and where to stop everything and be with the lord was difficult for me. i really want to reflect on his word too, and understand its meaning and its application for my life. that's where this handy dandy blog comes into play. yes, i will still use it for random posts, but i'd like to share what i'm learning from the lord each day with you. i will be following the bible reading plan from the stone (all 4), so please feel free to learn and grow with me! the reading plan started yesterday, but blogging will commence today.

day 1 - psalm 1, genesis 2, 1 chronicles 2, luke 1:26-56

it's absolutely amazing to me how the lord chooses to speak in this plan. when you read from different parts of the bible, it is hard to see exactly how things are connected, but reading the bible like this really puts it all in perspective. psalm 1 talks about delighting in the law of the lord and fleeing from the ways of the wicked. it says that those that do are like trees planted by the river, their work always prospers, and that the wicked will perish. i feel like when i read this kind of passage, i tend to breeze through it...i mean, there isn't really anything mind-blowing in it. but if i look closer, i realize that i am called to delight in the law. i know, however, that because of christ, i am no longer saved by the law, but by his blood. but i am still to delight in the law. because of christ, i am free from the law, but delight in it because it is good. the law serves to aid in our sanctification. we should delight in it as a command of the lord and follow it out of an overflow of our devotion to God because of his saving grace. furthermore, psalm 1 says to meditate on the law day and night, which leads to strength and prosperity. isn't that what sanctification is? the definition of sanctification is the process of setting something apart, or making it holy. by meditating on the law day and night and delighting in it, i become more like christ.

i'm not going to share my thoughts on each section, but i'll provide a brief synopsis for those following along. genesis 2 begins with the seventh day of creation, on which God rested from his work. this day was made holy because it was a day of rest. this is something i am still learning to model. for as long as i can remember, my sabbath day has been filled with homework. that is the opposite of resting. i learned that the sabbath day is not only meant for physical rest, but for reflection on how the lord has provided and blessed me. with the lord's help, i am trying to "sanctify" that day intentionally...to set it apart and keep it holy. genesis 2 continues with the creation of man and woman and outlines their roles in creation. 1 chronicles 2 continues the outline of genealogy from abraham to david.

luke 1:26-56 begins with the angel gabriel's announcement to mary that she will carry and give birth to the son of God, to jesus. this is another story that i've read too many times to count, but that has new meaning for me today. when i read it, i was struck by mary's excitement. for some reason, i've never thought about that before. maybe it is because of all the pictures of mary looking so calm and collected, but goodness, it makes a lot more sense that she'd be freaking out. this passage talks about how after she found out, she went to visit elizabeth, and they freaked out together! elizabeth told mary that even john (the baptist) leaped for joy in her womb when mary told her the news! with the christmas season just behind us, the story of jesus' birth is fresh on my mind, but this story of what happened in preparation, is so sweet. i love the thought of the two women being giggly and overwhelmed with joy. forget about the serene nativity scene...it was time to party! i'll leave you with the last thing i read. this is mary's proclamation of joy to the lord:

luke 1:46-55

"And Mary said,“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

to take a line from kidsjam: and all God's children said, "AMEN!"