For a man is slave to what ever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 2 Peter 2:19b-22
It is the end of the year and a time when people begin to make New Year resolutions; a time to correct behavior, forge new directions, take on new challenges, live a more complete, happy, and successful life. Believers should be looking back on their physical and spiritual life as well. They should see growth through triumph in pain and difficulty, they should see the many blessings and grace God has given them. Hopefully they have been journaling throughout the year, and they can sit at the feet of the Savior and worship Christ the King as they recall the past evidence of God’s enduring, promised presence in all circumstances and things.
When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea with Joshua into the Promise Land they were instructed to build a memorial with twelve large stones taken from the middle of the parted Red Sea. They were told to build a memorial so they could remember Jehovah Shammah – God is with us everywhere. I fondly call these the Stones of Remembrance. Journaling is the same type of Stones of Remembrance; a place to sit, recall, and worship God for His everlasting presence and fulfilled promises. He is, He was, and He is still to come.
Believers, use this time to reflect on the past year. Have you followed God? Have you grown in the wisdom and knowledge of who God is and the fellowship of Christ? Have you read His letters of love and encouragement in the Bible? Have you lived a life of selfishness and pride, following after the evil desires of your flesh? Have you been overcome by the deceits and trappings of temporary pleasure and success offered by this world? Who was your Master this past year? O Believer, if it was the world and your selfish desires fall on your knees, fall on your face, and plead forgiveness from the Heavenly Father. As the penitent prodigal son was received in forgiveness, glory, and grace, so will you be received of the Heavenly Father.
Look back on this year, think back; re-read God’s blessing and grace; celebrate the evidence of His mighty presence in all past circumstances. With God’s continued abiding presence press on! Press on toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Press on in learning, training, and growing in your relationship with Christ. Press on Believer, press on! For God has not called Believers to remain infants in faith. He has called Believers to be men and women of faith. Growing in wisdom and knowledge of the Almighty and loving God. He has called Believers into a life of dependent and intimate relationship of love and trust in the Creator, God Himself. He has called Believers to live a life of servitude to our fellow man and God, in humility, holiness, and brotherly love.
Look back on this past year. Which Master did you serve? Which Master will you serve this next day, next week, next month, next year?
It is the end of the year and a time when people begin to make New Year resolutions; a time to correct behavior, forge new directions, take on new challenges, live a more complete, happy, and successful life. Believers should be looking back on their physical and spiritual life as well. They should see growth through triumph in pain and difficulty, they should see the many blessings and grace God has given them. Hopefully they have been journaling throughout the year, and they can sit at the feet of the Savior and worship Christ the King as they recall the past evidence of God’s enduring, promised presence in all circumstances and things.
When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea with Joshua into the Promise Land they were instructed to build a memorial with twelve large stones taken from the middle of the parted Red Sea. They were told to build a memorial so they could remember Jehovah Shammah – God is with us everywhere. I fondly call these the Stones of Remembrance. Journaling is the same type of Stones of Remembrance; a place to sit, recall, and worship God for His everlasting presence and fulfilled promises. He is, He was, and He is still to come.
Believers, use this time to reflect on the past year. Have you followed God? Have you grown in the wisdom and knowledge of who God is and the fellowship of Christ? Have you read His letters of love and encouragement in the Bible? Have you lived a life of selfishness and pride, following after the evil desires of your flesh? Have you been overcome by the deceits and trappings of temporary pleasure and success offered by this world? Who was your Master this past year? O Believer, if it was the world and your selfish desires fall on your knees, fall on your face, and plead forgiveness from the Heavenly Father. As the penitent prodigal son was received in forgiveness, glory, and grace, so will you be received of the Heavenly Father.
Look back on this year, think back; re-read God’s blessing and grace; celebrate the evidence of His mighty presence in all past circumstances. With God’s continued abiding presence press on! Press on toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Press on in learning, training, and growing in your relationship with Christ. Press on Believer, press on! For God has not called Believers to remain infants in faith. He has called Believers to be men and women of faith. Growing in wisdom and knowledge of the Almighty and loving God. He has called Believers into a life of dependent and intimate relationship of love and trust in the Creator, God Himself. He has called Believers to live a life of servitude to our fellow man and God, in humility, holiness, and brotherly love.
Look back on this past year. Which Master did you serve? Which Master will you serve this next day, next week, next month, next year?
