This year we metaphorically broke our necks for people who looked past us, and ignored those who really cared. We passed over too many opportunities being lazy and expected one too many hand outs. We let the people around us discourage us from chasing our dreams. We lost hope, quit when things got hard, and gave up before we thought to try. We stayed in abusive relationships, unhealthy friendships, and bad personal situations expecting things to change. We asked God to order our steps, but never moved our feet. We asked God to be our shield of protection, but tried to fight every battle this year using our own strength. We did our own thing yet still expected God's favor. We straddled the fence all while labeling ourselves anointed, and here we are praying for greater in the New Year.
2013 was no different than any other year before it's time simply because we decided that all we had to do was rub the bottle of life and a genie would pop out to grant our every wish. We set goals on January 1, 2013 and we let those same resolutions leave our determination list on January 2. We told ourselves that if we released positivity into the atmosphere that it would come back ten fold, but failed to realize that theologically there is more to the equation of success in life. We hid our inner selves as if God was on vacation, and prayed that our temptations would soon disappear into thin air. We were very religious and spiritual this year, yet our relationship with Christ Jesus was all out of whack because we only talked to God when we wanted him to deliver us from unfortunate situations and hard circumstances. God is not pleased.
Matthew 24:35-36 tells us, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. But as for that day and hour no one knows it—not even the angels in heaven—except the Father alone." We live our lives as if we have forever to get it together, an impulse theory that is very far from the truth. Too many of us are comfortable sitting on the sidelines of life doing absolutely nothing, and here before us in the New Year lies another opportunity to write many wrongs right. The time for facilitating drama and foolishness has expired. All too often we allow ourselves to become over taken in the kiddie pool of our struggles, with the solution being as simple as us rising and standing on our own two feet. God has so much in store for us, and for our lives, but it's up to us to live up to our end of the bargain, we must keep our promises this time around to others, ourselves, but most importantly God. We must change and become more consistent in our walk, we must never give up, must must never quit, we must do better. Therefore we find ourselves with a spiritual resolution to:
1. Forgive as if our lives depend upon it, because they do.
There's an old saying that says that you must give to get, and in this case it is so true. How can you expect Christ to forgive you for your moment by moment sins and you can't find it in your heart to forgive others.
"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
-Matthew 6:14
2. Talk to God as if our lives depend upon it, because they do.
Prayer changes things and prayer is the life line that leads to results. How can you have if you don't ask, how can you be directed if you don't seek direction?
"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." -Luke 18:1
3. Share Christ with your friends and others as if our lives depend on it, because they do.
Everything that we do must be for the glorification of our heavenly father. The ultimate goal must always be to bring others to Christ that they too might come to know the beauty of the God who created us all, with respects to his sovereign ways and love.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."
-Matthew 28:19
4. Step out on faith as if our lives depend upon it, because they do.
All things are possible if you only believe. Believe it or not, sometimes it's the only thing keeping you from the increase you so desperately desire. Asking is the catalyst of change, but the faith you implement determines the outcome of your expectations.
"Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
(For we walk by faith, not by sight)"
-2 Corinthians 5:6-7
5.Love others as if our lives depend upon it, because they do.
Love is the reason why we have an opportunity to select life (eternal life with God) over death. Love is why Jesus sacrificed his life on the cross. Love is who God is, and in order to feel the empty space in our heart, we must not only facilitate love, but we must personify it. When we wear love we show God's love to everyone, as love is patient and kind. Love has the power to bridge wide gaps and close empty spaces. Love powers our will to live; without it we are nothing.
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
-John 15:12
It is my prayer that favor is seen like never before all throughout this new year. And that you welcome unforeseen changes recognizing that God makes no mistakes taking into consideration the fact that scripture tells us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)." No matter what may come your way in 2014 stay far away from the spirit of fear because if the spirit of God lives on the inside of you, you are protected on every side. I repeat you are protected on every side knowing that,"No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,”Says The Lord (Isaiah 54:17). " When in doubt pray, when confused pray, when seeking direction pray, when unsure pray, in hard times pray, in good times pray, knowing that God is God and that he will keep you in perfect peace if you keep your eyes stayed on him (Isaiah 23:6). Be encouraged, Greater is not just coming, it's up ahead.
Let us bow:
Heavenly Father,
Before we were formed in our mother's womb you knew us and you called us by name. You allowed your spirit to come and comfort us that we might be able to carry out the call you placed upon our lives and we thank you. Lord we haven't always kept our promises and for that we are sorry, and we know that you are a God of your word so we ask that you forgive us. Lead us and guide us that we might be more consistent in this New Year. Create in us a clean heart that we might be able to caste our cares upon you and hear your call harkening ourselves to your voice. Build us up where we may be torn down, strengthen us where we are weak, be with us in every leaning side that we might represent your love and your peace as you called us to do in the book of Matthew. Bless us and keep us for it in the name of the Christ we pray, Amen!
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