Goodbye Year! Auld Lang Syne

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

As reporters review the passing year, what were the breaking stories in your life? Even more importantly, looking back, when was God’s Hand visible within it?

  • Did He lead you away from temptation?

  • Did He deliver you from harm or pain?

  • Did an intercessory prayer work?

  • Did friends or family get a breakthrough?

  • Did He bless you or them in wondrous ways?

Is it possible to count God’s blessings?

Consider some gifts too many Christians (including me) often take for granted:

  • Air, water, food, shelter, clothes, warmth, and health.

  • Family, friends, fellowship, talents, and purpose.

  • Education, mobility, and work.

  • The stuff we need and lots of stuff we want.

  • Freedom to worship Jesus as our Lord,

Who provided our…

  • Forgiveness of sins!

  • Doorway to Heaven!

  • Life everlasting!

It’s impossible to add up God’s gifts to me and my house, but TRYING to count them knocks depression, insomnia, anxiety, and fear… out of the door of my life (for a while).*

'Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!' (Psalm 68:19).

My sleepy-time 'count my blessings' goal is to reach one hundred. Satan (and team) can't hang around for long, when we're exchanging 'The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness' (Isaiah 61:3).

As we approach December 31…

With this year’s memories, sweet and bitter, we may hear or sing the song, Auld Lang Syne: a simple melody that nudges us to focus on friends and the good old times.

Much more, let’s remember what God has done: promises and miracles old and new– those for everyone and those just for us… plus the happy endings He promises.

‘And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose’ (Romans 8:28).

Goodbye Year! Auld Lang Syne (Part 1)

* We must put the Armor of God on daily, because Satan may retreat for a while (YAY!), but on this side of Heaven, he won’t stop trying to lead us astray, and, therein, to steal, kill and destroy. As soldiers in the army of Jesus Christ, we must know the real enemy, AND… stay ready, willing, and able to fight the good fight!

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban