New Year Inspiration from Dr. Mari

"The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. 

It is that we should have a new soul." 

(G. K. Chesterton)

In 2013, I plan to continue to feed my soul with the riches of God's Word. I started the year by reading Paul's letter to the Galatians. I pray that these verses from his challenging and inspiring letter will feed your soul as they've fed mine.

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,  

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 

(Galatians 3:26-27)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. 

Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 

(Galatians 5:1)

But by faith we eagerly await 

through the Spirit 

the righteousness for which we hope. 

(Galatians 5:5)

You, my brothers, were called to be free. 

But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; 

rather, serve one another in love. 

(Galatians 5:13)

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  

For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, 

and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  

(Galatians 5:16-17)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 

patience, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law. 

(Galatians 5:22-23)

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  

Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 

(Galatians 5:25-26)

Paul reminds us that the freedom Christ died to bring us comes with a purpose. 

We've been set free to love.

In Galatians 5:6, Paul adds,
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

May this become our compass and our goal in the New Year and always.

Happy 2013!

 Dr. Mari