devotional - Inquiring God, priorities for the new year

“But he said to me ”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more glady about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
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"Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." -  Romans 12:2

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Hi, 

It has been said that anything in the shadows that makes its way into the light can no longer be hidden.

When we enter Christ's presence, He shines a light on the areas in our hearts that we have not fully surrendered into his hands. 

As I look forward to the New Year and reflect on the one before, God is showing me the things I have yet to surrender to Him.

The verses above were actually ones I randomly chose to memorize this past month (or so I thought) but I see now that they were selected by God in order for me to dig more deeply into the areas in which He wants me to develop and mature. 

I believe God placed these verses on my heart to remind me to get my priorities straight, once and for all.

It’s no longer okay for me to make excuses for why I keep relying on my own strength to get through life.

It’s time for me to fully embrace the true spirit of humility and not only admit my weaknesses but “boast all the more gladly” about them because, in doing so, I am honouring God and allowing myself to experience the fullness of His power in my life.

This awareness not only applies to my relationship with Him, but it also affects my relationship with the world around me.

When we attempt to derive “strength” or “power” from trying to do everything ourselves it creates competition with God and others, but when we humble ourselves, embrace our weaknesses and allow God and others to step in, it creates community. 

How beautiful is that? 

So, if 2 Corinthians 12:9 describes “what” to prioritize, then Romans 12:2 is, most definitely, the “how”. 

Since I began spending more time not just reading but actually studying the Bible, God has been imparting His wisdom to me on so many levels.

Through this verse, the apostle Paul is not only asking us to stop idolizing the things of this world, but when he says “be transformed by the renewal of your mind” he is asking us to allow God to teach, develop, prune, refine and mature us through His Word, which is alive and accessible in the form of the Holy Bible.

Today, however, many people keep the Bible as a closed book.

Dear reader, if I suggested that you stop eating for a few months, you’d ignore me—and rightly so.

Why?

Because it's an undisputed truth that we need food in order to survive, yet many Christians are spiritually starved and weak because they ignore the spiritual “food” God has provided in the Bible. 

The Bible is not an option; it is a necessity. 

We cannot grow spiritually strong without it. 

Which is why I’m so grateful that God is developing in me a real hunger for His Word and has provided me a loving Christian community with whom to study it. 

As I invite Jesus to shine the light on the areas that I still need to surrender this year, I pray for Him to take away any ego, pride, or self-dependence and exchange it for his anointing, wisdom, and insight.

Going forward, I ask that He give me continued guidance and the ongoing discipline to consult with Him about all things. 

In the past, I have chosen a “word” to serve as inspiration for the year ahead but, beginning in 2023, I will also be selecting a verse from scripture.

It looks like 2 Corinthians 12:9 and Romans 12:2 will be the verses this year but I’m still awaiting confirmation about what my “word” should be.

I’m thinking it might be “MATURITY” because everything I have been learning lately about receiving God’s peace has a direct correlation to the misguided and immature notion that I’m actually able to discern ANYTHING without God's help. 

Dear reader, what is God asking you to surrender today? 

As you reflect on this, be reminded that Jesus is familiar with our struggles, sufferings, and weaknesses.

I pray that you allow him to comfort you today, as you release your worries, weariness and weaknesses into his hands.
Surrender to Him and you will surely experience the power of His Love and never-ending Grace.

I wish you and your loved ones all of God’s abundant blessings for 2023.


Happy New Year!
Tracy and Born To Fly Team