A New Year!  Time to look back on the previous year and consider hopes, dreams and goals for next year!  I often have resolutions for the new year.  I remember goals like doing all the dishes before bed, going to bed before 10:30, reading a chapter in the Bible before reading anything else, not going through yellow lights, or running thirty minutes three days a week.  Some things I did the whole year and others were forgotten by February.  I enjoyed the challenge of it and the discipline involved.

From the journal . . . . January 1995

For 1995 I want to: 1. Reach out to new people at church. 2. Stop by to see my mother-in-law more often. 3. Call my sister at least once a week. 4. Be more attentive to Peter and Brian.

In everything KINDNESS to all.

Lord, are there things that You want me to do?  To focus on?

And I Believe God Said:

When necessary, confess your unwillingness to obey, and be honest about it.  You don’t need to confess to everyone, but you must be honest with Me and with yourself. 

1 John 1:9  But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
 Psalm 51:6 But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.

My grace and mercy are sufficient.  I see you clearly and I love you deeply.  That doesn’t change because of your performance or perspective.

Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago the Lord said to Israel:
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.  With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself”.

Thank You, Lord.  I confess that I rearrange my thinking to justify why I’m unwilling to help. The real reason is usually because of time, energy, fear or other selfish reasons.  I want to justify the reason to make it okay. I see why You emphasize honesty.

Sometimes it’s very hard to admit our sin.  Our Savior has already paid the price for all of our sins because He knows the extent of them.  I want to do better at confessing all to Him for 2024.  We sang this song today during our worship service.  The chorus has stayed with me.

Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

By Matt Papa

We have nothing to lose by confessing and everything to gain! 1 John 1:9