Thought for December 31, 2024

•  1744: James Bradley announces discovery of earth's wobble
• 1770: America's first known "watch-night" service is held at St. George's Methodist Church in Philadelphia
• 1783: All Northern States ban importation of slaves
• 1862: Battle of Stone's River begins, lasts till January 2.
• 1864: Abraham Lincoln proposes to his cabinet that the Constitution be amended to recognize "the Deity." Cabinet opposes and the idea is dropped.
• 1879: Cornerstone of Iolani Palace is laid--only royal palace in the U.S.
• 1904: First New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square [then Longacre Square]
• 1911: Marie Curie receives her second Nobel Prize
• 1938: First breath-o-lizer introduced
• 1945: U.N. Charter ratified
• 1961: Beach Boys play their first gig using that name
• 1961: Packers win first of 5 NFL Championships in 7 years under Vince Lombardi
• 1967: Evel Knievel fails in jump over Caesar's Palace fountain
• 1981: CNN Headline News premiers
• 2010: "The Walking Dead" premiers
• Born: Jacques Cartier, Bonnie Prince Charlie, Charles Cornwallis, Henri Matisse, Elizabeth Arden, George Marshall,. Simon Wiesenthal [Nazi hunter], Rex Allen, Odetta, Anthony Hopkins, Ben Kingsley, John Denver, Diane von Furstenberg, Tim Matheson, Donna Summer, Val Kilmer, Heath Shuler, Gabby Douglas
• Died: John Wycliffe, Alice Ball [developed treatment for leprosy], Roberto Clemente, Ricky Nelson, George Allen, Thomas Watson [IBM, Watson Computer named for him], Natalie Cole

Thought: 

Well, I am writing my last thought for a while. Still reading in Philippians this morning. I could write about some of Paul's instructions to the church at Philippi as these make good resolutions for 2025:

• Rejoice in the Lord always. [4:4] This coming year, make it a priority to rejoice in Jesus every day. Think of all the names of Jesus and titles of Jesus in the bible. Any one of those provides ample reason to rejoice--Savior, Master, Lord, King, Lamb, Lion, Alpha, Omega, Friend, Propitiation. 
• Don't be anxious [4:6]. Some things are going to worry us this year. Some things are going to raise concerns--but fight anxiety with prayer and thanksgiving. When I start to worry, I think of all the reasons to be thankful. When I recall He will never leave or forsake me--anxiety flees. When I remember that He is sufficient--I can't worry about what I think I need. 
• Allow His peace to guard my mind. [4:7 ] This is sort of a result of rejoicing in Him and thanking Him---I have His peace. Thinking of all His names and titles and then thinking of all the reasons to thank Him floods my mind and drives out doubt and fear--I rest in His peace.
• Set my mind on the right things. [4:8] If I can keep my thoughts filled with these things, there is no room for Satan to work. 
• Be content [4:11] Satan wants me to compare my circumstances with others--jealousy, covetousness, greed arise. Instead, I go back to rejoicing in who He is and what He has given me. I start counting my blessings--and find contentment and peace in Him.
• Rely on His strength [4:13] Do not try and fight the battles in my strength, rely on His strength. And remember that if He tells me to do something, He always provides the strength to do it. 
• Know that He supplies all my needs, not all my wants. [4:19] When God sent Jesus, He supplied all my needs. My needs are met not with earthly treasures but from His riches in glory. I have trouble here, expecting my needs to be met in the goods of the world. But He always provides from His glorious storehouse.

Paul begins this letter with a prayer and I join him in that prayer for you: I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. [1:6]

I hope that reading these Thoughts for Today have helped you fall in love with the word and with its author. I pray that you will be encouraged to read every day this year. There are many read through the Bible apps, find one. But do not just read. Savor every word, let the Spirit help you hear the heart and mind of Jesus. Some days all I can absorb is one verse or one word. The goal is not a certificate saying we read through the Bible. The goal is to be more like the author on December 31, 2025. 

Grace and peace to you.

Larry