“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” (Luke 17:33)
Christmas is over and the new year is here.
If you’re like me, you’ve already decided that 2011 is going to bring some major changes in your life. These “New Year’s Resolutions” are nothing more than outward and visible signs of things that are frustrating us in life. They are remedies to the failures that we have experienced. Interestingly, they often point to some our most glaring weaknesses.
Looking back at how we have lived is important. After all, as the saying goes, if we don’t learn from history, then we are sure to repeat it. But don’t look at just the physical, financial, or emotional dimensions of your life. Look at the spiritual progress that you have made over the last year. Are you closer to God today than you were this time last year?
2010 has been one of the most revealing years in my Christian life. Our Internet devotions ministry continues to flourish and had the honor to marry my daughter on Christmas day.. Through these and other experiences that God brought my way, I have grown spiritually. I still don’t always understand him, but I can honestly say I am closer to him today than I was this same time last year.
I am grateful for the changes that God has made in me over the years, and even though I am not always pleased with the pace at which he brings change to me, I know that his way is best. The fact is any major change in my life will never last unless it comes slow enough for me to understand it. I guess that’s why he once said, “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)
It’s hard being a Christian in today’s world. The distractions and demands that the world puts in front of us mean that we will occasionally stumble. The Apostle Paul said is this way: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. (Romans 3:23) It’s a fact of life. Christians are not immune from sin. We just happen to be running in a different direction.
The 1800’s songwriter, Horatius Bonar, realized that it’s the little things that can make or break the Christian. He wrote, “A holy life is made up of a multitude of small things. It is the little things of the hour and not the great things of the age that fill up a life…Little words, not eloquent speeches or sermons; little deeds, not miracles or battles, or one great heroic effort or martyrdom, make up the true Christian life. It’s the little constant sunbeam, not the lightning, the waters of Siloam that go softly in their meek mission of refreshment, not the waters of the rivers great and many rushing down in torrent noise, and force, that are the true symbols of a holy life.”
Most of us tend to look for big changes in our lives when we try to measure our spiritual progress. We shortchange God when we overlook the small victories he has brought our way.
This year instead of offering those New Year’s Resolutions that you never seem to be able to keep, acknowledge and enjoy the small changes that life can bring. It is there where you will find a loving and caring God who is more than ready to help you win the battles. After all, when he reached down and saved you, the war was won.
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My father rev John c faust,spent 51 years of his 79 as a christian minister,He came home from WWII a decorated Ist Lt.and went straight into studying for the ministry. I have a faith and a personal relationship with Jesus be cause of this man .Dad passed on in jan 2000. In oct of 1999 we were talking about politics.He told me then”son if george bush jr becomes president it will show me that the presidentcy can be bought and that will be a sad day for the country”.Well he was right It was Bought twice as a matter of fact Ist by Money and again in 04 by Fearmongers with money. Now after Giving Obama only two years to undo all the bad and down right stupid stuff W mannaged to do in eight yrs. the right is pushing the country away from a painfull yet nessesary solution to our financial woes. and further from ways to help our infrastructure and our environment .You can’t undo the eight years of irresponsable and unimpeded wrecklesness of the bush adm. in two short years. W’s faith may have helped him quit drinking.I even remember asking God to guide him at several points in his presedency, but one has to wonder where that faith was when he authorizied the killing of 100,000 inocents with the initation Of the SHOCK and AWE bombing campaign at the begining of the Iraq war ,a war that should never have happened.There was no connection between Binladen and Iraq ,,,the Intel was proven false.It was in all the papers.You’re right tho. The war is won. Its won every time he reaches down to save us from ourselves. I thank God everyday for the small victories in my life .In 2000 he took the taste for cigarettes out of my mouth now everday without them is another victory for me. I pray that this nation will one day again be One Nation Under God. I thank God too that we don’t all see eye to eye. life from one viewpoint leaves the mind closed.
my previous comment was made in ref to the Decision points devotion .excuse the error thank you richard