Easy or Hard?

Well, here we are January 2, 2012. So far I can't decide if my New Year "resolutions" are easy or hard? I'd have to say it must be the honeymoon stage. I have a desire to do what I am doing...I'm intrigued to see how I feel in a week, a month, or even in 6 months.

The Bible reading has gone really easy and fast. I have researched some Bible commentaries online but I find surfing the internet not the most productive use of my time since I find it easily distracting. I did end up getting a computer moved into my bedroom (and the TV moved out, since I'm not watching TV in 2012). I had some really neat Bible software that I was going to use...but of course it wasn't in my laptop bag like I thought, so I'm still looking for that. Maybe I should look at my parent's house for my college books and notes...get some serious in depth studying going on!


I did end up ordering the World Operations book. Not only do I like tangible things I can hold, I want to be able to take a more mobile copy when I go somewhere as well as have more information than what is provided on the website. I hope it gets here soon as I am very excited about it. I was surprised, and yet not, that my local Christian bookstore didn't carry it.

I wish I had had deeper thoughts to share. I suppose-hope I will with time...one thing that I would like to share is:

The verse that has really been on my thoughts since starting my year long read is; Palms 1:2 "Instead, his delight is in the Lord's instruction, and he meditates on it day and night." This was one of the first things I read yesterday and it has really stuck with me. How different it is to delight in someone else's instruction other than my own? And then for it to be the Lord's instruction, when there are times He tells his children to do some "crazy" things! (Joshua & the Battle of Jericho, David & Goliath, Ruth, Esther, Moses, Abraham & Issac, Joseph-marry your pregnant girlfriend, who isn't carrying your child-just to name a very few!)

It was interesting to me that my Bible study homework yesterday was to read about Joseph (of the Old Test.). Joseph was faithful to God's instruction and he ended up in jail-so that God's glory may be shown through him (Joe). A story that I have ready many times (as well as seen a really neat play of) and it once again just shows how the Christian life is not the popular one. We want to avoid pain, suffering, and we always want to blame someone else for our "troubles". And yet, Joseph stood strong and obedient. To follow up today with reading about Joseph (of the New Test.) and how he was to take Mary as his wife...I can see an area of needed growth for myself. Such obedience and faithfulness comes from meditating day and night on God's word.

I hope that this new year has started off well for you and if it hasn't, that you will see God's hand moving in your life because one thing I have been very much reminded of this new year is that Christians do not have an easy life. Man's "kingdom" is the opposite of God's Kingdom, and the path is narrow. Do your good works out of obedience and not for salvation.

I guess I just answered my question-it may have been easy these last two days, but it won't "stay" that way. But in the end God will be Gloried...I say it is worth the trials, struggles, and failures. 

Until next time,
Amy