Devotional

New Year’s Countdown

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. -1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Today, begin a “countdown” to the beginning of the New Year. Let each day become a milestone as you prepare to leave the past behind and welcome the Holy Spirit’s ministry to bring a glorious newness to your soul. These days, let us look at the themes of love, power, transformation, the Word, and faith – our milestone markers.

Open this day and these days with a full-hearted, special welcome to the Holy Spirit to flush, to fill, and to flow through your heart with love. He can and will send a surge of love, according to God’s Word (Rom. 5:5). It will come in rushing rivers (John 7:37–39) and remove every obstruction to our being perfected in a love for Christ, a love for God’s Word, a love for the lost, a love for the unlovely, and a love for those who have wounded us. He changes our attitude and outlook, and it’s there that hope for tomorrow becomes more than a wish. Love bears a hope that is confident.

1 Corinthians