Happy New Year, My Dear, Dear Siestas!
This morning I slipped out of bed while Keith and Beanie were still sound asleep and snoring. (Yes, both of them and both were under the covers.) I threw on my robe and slippers then did what I do almost every morning: I went over and pet (nearly shook) my trusty Sunny Dog to make sure my 15 year buddy was still alive and with me. I mostly have to touch her to communicate with her because she can hardly hear anymore. Praise God, she stirred immediately and jumped to her post right beside my feet. A northern had blown in during the night and the house was as cold as ice. I turned on the coffee maker, made a fire, grabbed my Bible, devotional book and cracked open a brand new prayer journal. (I’ve used the same one for years. I absolutely love the lay-out and the way it organizes your petitions and intercessions. It’s by Debbie Williams of Hill Country Ministries here in Texas.)
As I rubbed the clean pages I wondered what kinds of records and requests would fill them before the year ended. I thought how thankful I was to be a follower of Christ and not have to fear the future. I’ve lived long enough to know there will be pain, perhaps even suffering, but I also know that God will see us through and show us – not only His faithfulness but – His GLORY. A far more priceless gift than painlessness. I also know we will laugh (because that’s what our family does) and learn (because that’s a high priority to this bunch of book-junkies). I pray continually for God to grant my loved ones and me a Spirit of wisdom and revelation and I pray that for you, my dear Siestas, as well through the year ahead. To see Christ revealed then know what to do with that revelation is the highest mortal experience.
I told God this morning how thankful I was for His penchant for new beginnings. Just think about it. He’s the one who came up with New Years so we could have an annual new start. But we don’t have to wait that long. He also came up with 12 different months, 4 seasons, and 7-day increments we call weeks. But we don’t even have to wait that long. Every single evening the sun goes down and calls it a day then greets us the very next morning with a whole new start. Let’s face it. Sometimes a day’s so tanked, it just needs to end. Aren’t you glad a bad day always does? But, then again, we don’t even have to wait till morning. Because of Christ, we can have a new beginning any old time.
We are never further than about 18 inches from the next new start. All we have to do is hit our knees, repent, and ask God sincerely if we could just begin again. When secular psychology talks us out of taking personal responsibility for some of the messes we’re in, they inadvertently talk us out of repentance. And nothing is easier than repentance if we’re a willing soul. I told God this morning several things I just don’t like about myself. I told Him that I was sure He had His own list of things He wanted to work in me through 2008 but that I wanted to put some things out on the table, too. I have a feeling based on the conviction of the Holy Spirit that our lists are fairly similar. I jotted down four major things I’d really like to see change in me this year and I wrote them in the front of my new prayer journal so I can check with God on our progress here and there throughout the year. From the look of things, God and I are liable to be busy this year but that’s okay as long as we’re close. I love Him so. And want to love Him so much more. I know you do, too.
Oddly, in a way that only someone who knows Christ can experience, I didn’t feel condemned by my list. I felt free. Relieved. Not long ago someone I love said that he didn’t want anything to do with Christianity because of all the guilt it imposes. I was mystified. Guilt is the very thing Jesus has freed me from. Somehow, they just don’t get it. After I made my list today, I felt a release of hope and joy because I know without a shadow of a doubt that, if I’ll trust Christ and let Him help me every single day my feet hit the pavement, I have the victory. I am more than a conqueror. I’m not left to my own devices. I have divine power from the Throne of Grace and the indwelling Presence of Christ. So do you. Beloved, those are reasons to look forward to the coming year with a heart of celebration and expectancy. The plans God has for you in Christ are GOOD. And PROFOUND. We don’t want to miss them for the world.
I just want you to know that I look so forward to sojourning with you through the year ahead. God is already looking at our future as if it’s past. He has it planned to a “t”. Not one ounce of pain will be purposeless and not one inch of progress has to be joyless. There will be laughter. And there will be lessons. Guaranteed. If we will let there be. As my devotional reading pointed out this morning, God has Promised Land He wants each of us to possess this year. It is “a land the Lord your God looks after. He is constantly attentive to it from the beginning to the end of the year.” (Deut. 11:12) That means today all the way to next December 31st. He will be with us, Siestas. Every single one of us. WE CAN DO THIS. And, glory to His gracious Name, we can do much of it together.
May the beauty of the Lord your God be upon you, Darling One, and may He establish the work of your hands for you. Happy New Year with love.
May God Bless Your New Year. Thanks for the encouragement.
Happy New Year to you Beth! This morning I got out my prayer journal and read what I wrote last year at this time and I knew just by the verses back then that it was going to be a rough year and it was very hard but it also had many, many victories and laughter and new things. I woke up to a very cold morning filled with snow flurries.(a big thing in Tennnessee) and I am excited to be taking part of a reading through the Bible with a few of my fellow siestas! It is such an honor and a lot of fun sojourning with ya’ll and I am looking forward to 2008 and all the new things we are going to learn together.
Thank you for spending time with us through His Word, conferences, prayer, and your blog. Have a wonderful day and Happy New Year to your wonderful staff and your sweet family.
Love,
Patty
Beth, I love looking at this new year as “promise land”! I am so excited but also a bit comprehensive at how He will work in my life to glorify Him. I love what you said for Jan 1st in your book ‘Praying God’s Word’ which I use daily and have for several years: “The giant step in the walk of faith is the one we take when we decide God no longer is a part of our lives. HE IS OUR LIFE”. From my scripture reading this morning I took Col 1:9-14 and prayed it back to God from my heart in my prayer journal. I replaced “we” and “you” with “me” and “I”. It makes a beautiful prayer to the love I want to love and honor. Here is The Message version (so fitting for the new ‘promise land’!):
“Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you (me) wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll (I will)live well for the Master, making him proud of you (me) as you (I) work hard in his orchard. As you (I) learn more and more how God works, you (I) will learn how to do your work. We (I) pray that you’ll ( I Will) have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your (my) teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us (me) strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us (me). God rescued us (me) from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us (me) up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us (me) out of the pit we (I) were in, got rid of the sins we (I) were doomed to keep repeating”.
You are a blessing Beth.
In His Graces~Pamela
Wow, thanks a bunch Mrs. Beth. I just finished Believing God and am so very excited about the upcoming year. I told God I want 2008 to be the beginning of a long time of believing God. I want to look back and say 2008 was the beginning of my new life which kept getting better and better. Thank you for sharing your belief with us. We love you, too. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Rachel in MS
Beth,
I’m so thankful that you allow God to use you to do all that you do. I am so blessed by your way of looking at life. Sometimes it seems like no one else “feels life” like I do, and then I get into one of your Bible Studies, or even simply read this blog, and there it all is…and it makes sense! Isn’t God amazing, that he uses someone I’ve never met personally, who is able to put my entire “jumble” into sensible words, and put His perspective on it, and I end up feeling blessed and special?
Thank you Beth for making yourself available to God to reach others!
Happy New Year!
ChattieKathy
Amen! Thank you so much for this, Beth. I needed this today! Much love -Tara
I have never taken the time to keep a prayer journal…this might be a great year to start! Thanks for the New Year’s encouragement. Wishing you many blessings in 2008!
Sarah, TN
Thanks for letting us know about the prayer journal… i just went by and got one…..virtually!! I can’t wait to receive it and get organized!!
Thank you for your influence!!
May His name be greatly praised!!
Leigh
Happy New Year Beth! I am excited to leave the first comment of the new year! I am looking forward to what God has for 2008, his infinite ways set into motion in our finite lives! May His Glory be revealed in your ministry as He has use you for a mighty work! Because of your obedience, women are seeking His face! Thank you for your sacrifice and obedience! To God be the Glory!
Thank you Beth!! I am so grateful for new beginnings too. I am looking forward to living this year in His Power! Psalm 68:34 and 35 says “Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies. You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!” His Word is so encouraging and I’m claiming those verses this year!
Happy New Year, my dear Siesta Beth – May our Lord be glorified in us and thru us each and every day thru the coming year. May the glory of the Lord, rise among us. Again, Happy New Year. Much love from your Siesta in Lathrop, Missouri.
I love the exhileration of a new prayer journal. My Mom gave me mine for Christmas. I also started Beth’s 90 days with Jesus journal. I am so excited; my pen even writes better. We had a personality inventory at church on Dec. 30- Needless to say, I had a few things on my profile I would like God to work out in me. That thought is so scary, but I know my best interest is safe with my Savior. The comforting thing I ever learned from Beth was that I am sealed with the Holy Spirit. Praise God, His Word is clear on that! Amen
Morning Beth or maybe afternoon or evening.
I thought of what you said…”I thought how thankful I was to be a follower of Christ and not have to fear the future.” Man do I fear the future but it does not have to be that way. Not understanding the great and awesome love of God for me and that He has really had a plan for me. It only is the devil that feeds lies. But, we all have a choice to believe or not to believe that is the question. To start a new day with Him instead of with Me.
The theif comes not but to steal, kill and destroy but I have come that you might have life and that more have it more abundantly. He spoke that to me many years ago while I was ironing clothes Decisions, Decisions.
When you were teaching Esther you came over to me and said, “Allison if you do the will of God you will get the promise. A big promise over you head.” I saw that scripture 3 more times in 3 very odd places. He was speaking, I MUST LISTEN!
love allison
It is lovely that you began the new year with the topic of “all things new”. That is a reality in my life, for sure. It is a funny thing, however, how even as we see and are stepping into the new thing that God is doing…that satan can be right there with all of the seeming realities of “all things the same”. You are never going to change, never going to see His promises come to reality, never going to break free from the ties that bind you. But, what that continues to teach me is how desperately we (I need!)need to turn to the “true reality” of Scripture and to a choice of which “reality” I am going to believe…His or his.
The process of renewing our minds is just that ….a process. I am glad for the respite in between “getting it” and settling into the truth we have grasped as belief and the next piece of truth He wants us to get a hold of. And keep walking in it.
As far as I have come in my life and walk with God, I am always amazed at what still needs to be peeled off of the room of my mind and replaced with the truth. I am a Christian life coach and counselor, an ordained minister, and Bible teacher and people always look at people who do what we we do as if we have it all together. I know, Beth, that you and others would laugh out loud! If anything, I have tried to be as transparent as is appropriate about the journey that God has led me on and in the struggles that He has taught me great truths through, and how faithful He has been. If anything, I want others to see the goodness of God, the faithfulness of His covenant to us to never leave us, never forsake us, and how committed He is to see us transformed into the image of His Son…and if He ain’t willing to give up on us, by golly, we better not be!! What freedom there is in knowing that freedom is exactly what He has called us to.
“And if the Son has set you free, you are free indeed!” Wonderful words!
There’s lots on my mind this morning that I could say, but I’ve run on long enough. (Can you tell I am ready to preach it! Yikes!) I do covet your prayers as satan seems to want to really piledrive me these last few weeks. I am tired, but God is great and I feel His strength. I began this “new thing” of trusting God that since He definitely led me to start this life coaching/speaking ministry, that I need to proceed in faith no matter what the lion would roar in my ears. And he’s been fierce lately! But, God is bigger. Amen.
Beth, thank you for your willingness to press on in faith in the direction God is leading you and being faithful to share with us along the way. You are such an encouragement to me..and I have needed a lot of that lately. I am moving on and getting better all the time, thanks to our Heavenly Father! I pray we can all say that at the start of 2008!
God bless all of you. This is first time I have written. I am usually a lurker, but love to read all of your comments. You are a great bunch of siestas!
Beth Ash
http://www.bethash.net
Praise the Lord that his mercies are new every morning. You once said that God has the ability to not only change our lives, but our days, hours, and minutes. I hold fast to the Biblical truths in that statement.
God bless you, your family, and ministry staff.
I am looking forward to Nashville in June.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to minister to all of us through your blog. I feel encourgaged and uplifted every time I read it. I was especially challenged today to allow God to do a work in my life also. I know there are some things that He and I both want to change in me. I pray that God would complete His work and that I would be a willing participant. Thanks so much Beth!
Karen in Minnesota
Amen
I am looking forward to God’s work in our family this year. My husband lost his job in August and we have been without much income since.. but God has been miraculously faithful! We weren’t tithing regularly before the job loss because we thought we “couldn’t afford it”. The day of the job loss, we vowed that we would cheerfully tithe, after all.. it’s God’s money, anyway. Our life has been like the “feeding of the five thousand”. How God does it, I don’t know! But HE does!!! A little off subject, but all of that is to say that I am looking forward to serving Him and waiting expectantly on Him in 2008. LOVE YOU!!
Hi
Beth! I am currently doing the “Stepping Up” study with a small group
of friends, which we are loving! This morning I was on Week 3 ‘Great
Things for Us’, day 2 ‘A Love That Surrounds’, appropriate titles for
beginning a new year. The reminder that He encamps around me, hedges me
in, surrounds me and is in the midst of everything that touches me
steadies me and fills me with anticipation for what He’s got planned
for 2008. Praying for you, your family and ministry. 🙂
Hi Siesta Beth! I think the previous comment I had tried to post earlier this morning didn’t go through correctly, so here’s another just to say thank you for this wonderful post! Have a happy and blessed 2008 and sorry to clog up the blog comments!!!
maria cristina
Blessings in Christ
What a wonderful, encouraging post. Thank you for the blessing on this blog in my life, I look forward to the laughter and smiles I’ll receive through it this year. God is so good and blesses me in ways I’d never imagined.
Happy New Year Beth,
One of my favourite things in the world is a new prayer journal! I started mine before Christmas (only a few pages) because I couldn’t wait. I too have a list of improvements to make, and look forward to being in His hands for the transformations to start. What a time this is to be living in!!! Fearful, wonderful, changing, and how blessed to know He is in control. Shalom and Happy New Year
Thank you for this fresh reminder of His sweet mercies that are new every.single.morning! I remind my children of that fact when we’ve had a rough day or if they’ve had some obstacle at school. I just want them to know that every day is a new start because that’s what He promises us. His mercy-always! Praise Him for your precious spirit and for reminding all of us of the new opportunities ahead for us this year! May we seize with anticipation every one of those that He lays before us in the coming year! And we are anxiously awaiting our “LPL Siesta ’08” in August!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Thank you for the words of encouragement with which to start my day and year!! I love you!
Thank you Beth for all the encouragement! I love you girl!
I’m so glad I’ve found your website again. I love the Blog!!!!
2007 was a very bad year for me and I’m so looking forward to 2008. I had a lot of blessings last year too and I thank God for them and for getting me through the bad stuff.
Thanks for your encouraging words.
I love those words and felt they were meant for my ears this morning. I am so excited about 2008!! I know the number 7 is completion and the number 8 is a new beginning. It reminds me of the new beginning God had with Noah in Genesis Chapter 8.
I spent New Year’s Eve in the hospital after having undergone lap-band surgery that morning.
I had prayed about it for months and researched it just as long. I finally made the decision and couldn’t have it done fast enough.
I am not proud that I let my temple get so out of shape. I asked the Lord to forgive me. I know He has forgiven me. I am so thankful that God imparted wisdom and knowledge to doctors to help ones like me. Now I have new doors of ministry open for me this year as I can encourage others who feel defeated by their weight. I am walking each day with my Savior to a healthier, happier me! I know the Lord will be able to use me in a mightier way once I shed some of this fat. The only thing that truly sustained me was I already knew how much He loves me just the way I am. I am the apple of His eye! (Thanks, Beth, for instilling that into me.)
At least it will be one new year’s resolution that I can keep!!!!
HALLELUJAH!!!
God’s richest blessings upon each of you, my dear Siestas!!!
I think now I will feel good enough to see you in San Antonio!!!
GLORY TO HIS NAME!!!
Happy New Year Beth, my Siesta!
I love it when you say we have knees so they will bend right down to the floor … in humble prayer and surrender to our glorious Father. Oh, how encouraging your words are!
May God’s blessings pour out in abundance for you, Keith and your family, and all the Siestas for this New Year 2008!
Patti
thank you beth. simply put, i just love you.
This is for everyone for Beth & her family, for the LPM staff, for everyone whom reads this, &everyones family & freinds May this be your best year ever.May many dreams,heart desires come true.May you a very specail blessing come your way one that you never thought of, may you never have sadness or hurt but if you do may someone all ways be there by your side,may you never be alnone (unless it’s alone with JESUS)May each day be better than the last,keep JOY in your heart, JESUS frist, others second, your self last.God bless you all love siesta in Christ Victoria from NC
Beth,
Thank you for your blog today. I started this day out with the Lord, and yet I’m already back to my own anxious self. Your comment about having nothing to fear as a Christ follower has helped me regain my focus.
Thank you for encouraging me and walking a journey with me for the past ten years. Life has had it’s ups and downs but God is faithful. Thank you for reminding us…..that He is also healing and loving and that we are worthy of His love through His blood and mercy. I pray that in 2008 I will be able to show more grace and love to those whose paths I cross.
Happy New Year to LPM and the Moores!
Happy New Year! Thanks for those words, it’s awesome how God uses you to speak to me!
Hi Beth,
I had a question/comment on the phrase: “To see Christ revealed then know what to do with that revelation is the highest mortal experience.”
As the new year turns over, I am thankful that we are leaving 2007 behind. It has been a year of tremendous suffering and loss including an autism diagnosis for one of our children. We did find that God met us during the year; we have learned all about suffering and his suffering. The question is – How do you know what to do with the revelation?
Happy New Year to you, Beth and to all our siestas out there!
I loved how you said you woke up this morning with Keith and the dog snoring.
We are dog-sitting for a friend this week and this little tea cip Yorkie puppy is a mess! She needed out at 3:00 a.m. and was licking all over both of us at about 4:00 a.m.!
God is so good and He has blessed me and my family so much. I have been in the process of learning to trust Him in everything and even though it’s not been easy, the more often I give “it” to Him, the sooner and sweeter it all seems to work out. In June of ’06 you were in OKC and that very day my husband found out that the company he worked for had been sold. That weekend you spoke on trusting God. He continued to work in that almost empty large building for over a year….with several changes and not knowing what would happen in the end. Several of his co-workers found other jobs and he hung in there, helping maintain the building. This past Aug. (’07) he was hired by the new company and just a couple of weeks ago got his (awesome) evaluation with a raise, stock and a bonus he’ll receive two times a year. GOD IS SO GOOD!
This morning I went to the dr. for a test for my heart that I get done every couple of years. I had been to an initial visit 2 weeks ago…..right after I got home today I had something in the mail from our ins. asking if this was a pre-existing condition? Right at first, I had a fear come over me about the cost of this and started to fret. Immediately, God reminded me….”Child….won’t you trust Me on this too? You’ve seen Me do awesome things in your life!” So, by faith, I am believing that even though, yes, this is a pre-existing condition, He will work out the financial part of this dr. bill.
Thank you Beth & staff of Living Proof (and your family). May 2008 bring all you and my siestas blessings upon blessings. I’m so looking forward to San Antonio in Aug.! My 25 yr. old daughter and I will be there!
Love,
Valerie
From one siesta currently 18 inches closer to the Lord- to another… HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Oh and by the way- I play on spending the next 90 days on my knees as I received Jesus- 90 Days With The One and Only for Christmas and spent this morning in Day 1!
Hi
Beth! I am currently doing the “Stepping Up” study with a small group
of friends, which we are loving! This morning I was on Week 3 ‘Great
Things for Us’, day 2 ‘A Love That Surrounds’, appropriate titles for
beginning a new year. The reminder that He encamps around me, hedges me
in, surrounds me and is in the midst of everything that touches me
steadies me and fills me with anticipation for what He’s got planned
for 2008. Praying for you, your family and ministry. :)Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! I look forward to hearing you in Jacksonville, Florida in 2008.
Joy
Happy New Year!! Thanks for the words! I always enjoy your blog. I have to admit that I was somewhat dreading going back to work and getting back in my routine–but then I remembered that it means Tues night Bible Study with Beth–and that made me ready to return to “real life!” 🙂 Thanks for all you do to bless us. God has blessed you, and you have passed that blessing right along!!
Beth,
Thank you for those precious words. This last year has been one with great pain but also great gain. God showed Himself so faithful and sufficient. I know He has spoken to me about the areas we will be working on this year too. You are so right. Where else can we find such freedom from guilt. Thank you for your willingness to be so transparent!
Happy New Year!
Sherri
How wonderful!! I needed that calling to repentance and was there this morning. oh how sweet and freeing! It is a wonder that so many miss the real freedom in order to be free from “traditional” religion. I wanted to say also how glad I am that someone else has a dog who prefers under the covers!!!!! My bassett taps me with her nose in the middle of the night to be let under the covers to sleep !!! Have a blessed new year!
Beth,
Such an encouragement you are to me. I’ve printed out this New Year blog and am pasting it in the front of my prayer notebook to help keep me mindful that a fresh start is only 18 inches away…
Happy, blessed New Year,
Kathy
Happy New Year Beth! Thank you so much for taking precious time out of your day to encourage us. I am truly blessed by each and every Siesta! This blog is so wonderful.
I too am exited to start a new prayer journal! Here in Nebraska it is way-way to cold to meet with Jesus outside like you do often. But a little fire, comfy chair and fresh coffee will be just fine.
Thanks again for all you do!
Love and Prayers! Jolinda <><
I for one am so excited about this year. Last year was one of big changes for us as we adopted the sweetest little girl ever. This year we will still be adjusting to parenthood, I have a career change, my husbands schedule is changing and we will have more time as a family. God is moving us from times of frustration and confusion to finally feeling like a true family that plays, ministers and lives and loves together. I can’t wait to see what all God has in store this year!!
And sweet Beth, may His beauty be upon you and may He continue to do a good work through you.
Happy New Year! Many blessings in 2008!
Marcy
I always find encouragement here. As a young mom, I’m always finding ways to feel I’m falling short. You remind us to take heart. Thank You!
Thank you dear Sister, I receive your blessing.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us this New Year. The idea of new beginnings is very cool, after all God could’ve made the way time worked totally different, and yet, as you said, He gives us many new opportunities to begin.
This year my New Year’s resolution is to exercise daily. I weigh 261 which is pretty heavy, and yet I know the Lord will help me to become more disciplined as the year goes on.
All that to say that I appreciate knowing you are there and I will continue to read your blog and pray for you.
Smiley 🙂
I am such a goof ball!! When I read “we are only 18 inches away…” Well I thought you were talking about the planner.
I thought, my lands that is a big planner!!! 18 inches, Whew wee that Beth has some writin’ to do! Man I want one of those, because I have a bunch of writing to do as well.
On a more serious note. I am so saddened by the person who felt that being a Christian meant feeling guilty. One word. Grace. Only because of grace and only because of his AMAZING GRACE have I been set free.