It's a New Year!

Been away for awhile, making constant trips to Des Moines with Barb in the hospital. She has been real sick since the  day after Thanksgiving—unable to eat and unable to keep anything down, food or drink. On December 28 she fell, nothing broken, but was taken to emergency in Greenfield, and from there she was transferred by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

It took about 10 days to figure out what was wrong, but they finally discovered that a tumor was surrounding the connection between the stomach and small intestine, closing it off to just a pinhole, allowing nothing through. They inserted a stent which reopened the opening to about seventy percent of normal, allowing things to pass through again. Her system is working proper again and she is no longer sick, and is getting stronger every day.

They have now transferred her back to the Adair County Hospital in Greenfield for rehab with physical therapy. Greenfield is a real good physical therapy facility. Barb is getting stronger every day and walking further each day, but still gets worn out from the walks. Continue praying for her full recovery and complete healing, and that she will be able to return home soon.

Now on to today's Bible Insight: First Chronicles 16:11-12 says, "Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth." A great verse for the start of a new year.

Above all else in this new year, we must seek the Lord God. We must seek God's strength. After all, it is the strength God gives us that sustains us in life. As Paul well said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). It is through Christ that we are strengthened. It is through Christ that we can accomplish great things for God. It is, therefore, to Christ Jesus that we must look for God's strength!

In Christ, "Seek God's face evermore!" (1 Chron. 16:11b). "Evermore!" Never cease to seek after God. Never cease to seek after the strength Christ Jesus gives you. All year, every year! It is Christ who strengthens you every day. It is Christ who gives strength for the day, every day.

"Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth" (v. 12). If you learn anything from history learn this: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). He never changes! What He did yesterday, He will do again! Never forget the great things He has done in your life.

God's mercies never cease. His compassions never fail. His faithfulness is great. As we are told in Lamentations 3:22-23, "Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

God's miracles never cease. He will perform wonders in your life, if you will continue to follow Him and seek His face. Remember the things He has done in the past. Remember the many promises of His Word. He will never fail you. Amen.