For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11-12
The New Year is only hours away. It is going to be a New Year filled with abundant opportunities of ministry.
Looking back, maybe you are not overly excited about your walk this past year with Christ. Are there areas in your life that need fine tuning regarding your relationship with the Lord? Is your life a reflection of Christ-life character? Do your friends, family and co-workers truly know what your life represents? If you are not pleased with the answers to these questions this is the time to make changes. God has given each of us a second chance to make 2010 a great year in our journey with Him.
God tells us that we must pick up our cross DAILY and follow Him. It isn't something we can do once a month and be successful as a Christian. Serving Christ doesn't always bring warm and fuzzy feelings to our soul. It requires sacrifice and committment. I thank God today for the gut wrenching feeling of conviction and the awesome power of the Holy Spirit ! Where would we be without it? I am thankful that the Holy Spirit continuously draws me to Christ. I am thankful that I recognize clearly right from wrong and do not tolerate compromise in my life as I plunge forward to serve Christ.
God forgives me when I sin but He also expects me NOT to repeat that same sin again and again and again. He looks deep within our hearts which no one else has the ability to do. God knows every fiber of our being. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Christ requires each of us to pick up our cross DAILY and follow Him. Not the sins of this world and the corruption that goes along with it. He requires holiness and the pursuit of holiness as we cultivate our relationship with Him.
I am thankful that God is a God of second chance. I am thankful that we have been given the opportunity to demonstrate our God given talents and abilities for His Kingdom in 2010. I am thankful that God loved us enough to give His only Son for our sins so that we may have eternal life in heaven IF we choose to follow Him. I am thankful for God's Words of encouragement as we read the Bible and pray daily.
God is an awesome God. He is our source and our strength. Plug into the source and trust Him in all things. Watch Him do an incredible work through your life this coming year!
Happy New Year and may God bless you abundantly throughout this coming year!
Thank you for your faithfulness in posting this blog post. I feel like this part of the verse you shared " It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. " is something that has been on my mind lately.
ReplyDeleteFirst I know I need to grow spiritually in my walk with God--reading the word and spending time with God. Making HIM a priority in my life.
Second it has been a frustrating struggle for me in dealing with "fellow believers" who tend to be more "IN THE WORLD" than in Christ and to explain why I dont participate and do some things that my fellow believers feel are fine to do. I need to reconcile my conern/frustration and hopefully not Judging spirit. Thanks for sharing this and for allowing me to freely share my heart. God bless, Deb