Threads of Life: Reflections on 2018

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Reflections on 2018

by Hallie Gipson

The beginning of a New Year!

As I reflect on the days, weeks, and months that have passed in 2018, I see a journey with blessings and good things. But I also see regrets, failures, and ways that my life has not been God-glorifying.

I see:

Attitudes that should have been nipped in the bud, but were allowed to fester
Anxieties that occupied thoughts, energy, and time when those anxieties should have been placed on God’s all-sufficient shoulders
Old hurts and wounds replayed in the mind at the Enemy’s urging, rather than the forgiveness, love, and compassion that Christ offers
Physical issues so frustrating that complaining and moping were the theme rather than gratitude
Undisciplined time management that led to many wasted hours rather than time spent in Bible study, prayer, meditation on God’s Word, or encouraging others (to name a few)
Poor choices in diet, exercise, and rest rather than choices that strive to glorify God in everything.

With all of that, and more, in my rear-view mirror, how can I possibly move forward in to the New Year?

The answer to that question comes straight from God’s precious Word! His Word declares to us the all that we have through Christ. And that ALL enables us to live a life pleasing to Him --- a God-focused, Spirit-led, Christ-honoring life.

Romans 5:1-6 (NLT)

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, as we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for sinners.

Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT)

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”

Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT)

“Always be full of joy in the Lord, I say it again – rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all that you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT)

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

2 Peter 1:2-4 (NLT)

“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

HAPPY NEW YEAR! May many blessings be yours in Christ Jesus!

Jude 24-25

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

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About Me

Hallie Gipson

The responsibility to write while displaying the truth of His Word is never to be taken lightly. It is always my goal to speak only His truth and to encourage others through His Word and His faithfulness.

As I think back over my journey with the Lord, His faithfulness, grace, and mercy astound me! The salvation I have through Jesus Christ is ALL God’s work. There is nothing about God’s saving grace that I will ever merit. He gave the ultimate sacrifice of His Son to purchase my pardon.

2 Peter 1:3-4 tells us that " . . .His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4, NASB)

My heart's cry is for others to know the saving power of Jesus Christ and to live in light of who He is! (Romans 12:2)

About Me

Shirley Wiggins

My prayers are that each of us will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that we will each be the good stewards of God's grace and truth that He calls us to be.

God's Word - His revelation of Himself to mankind - is the most important Book in the world for it preserves God's truth, and points the way to relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Over the course of my life, God has stirred up a passion in me for His Word. To know Him better is the goal of my life, and to study His Word is my delight.

This blog was born out of the desire to share the unfailing love and faithfulness of the God of the Bible with others. Through journaling and writing, I am privileged to share my testimony of His mercy and grace to me.

My prayer is that every person would be encouraged to think on Truth, and to study the Word of God in depth. His Word is Truth, and it is reliable and faithful forever.

Examine the Scriptures daily to see if what you hear and read is true: everything you hear and read.

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11 NIV 1984.