Happy 2014

2014 a new year, but will you be a new you? Resolutions come and go and with them the feeling of defeat of not being able (willing) to keep them. God is not as concerned about the peaks and valleys as He is about the direction of our lives. I pray that we all have high goals and see marvelous progress in our Christian discipleship. Those are the peaks that we get the clearest glimpse of God, where the air is crisp and clear, uncluttered by cares and worries. The top of the mountain is hard to live on and we inevitably come sliding down into a valley. God forgives and restores and we can start climbing again. I pray that your peaks are higher than before and your valleys are not as deep. While we would all love to make steady undimmed progress, progress is progress. Thank God that you are not who you were and praise Him for who He is helping you to become. Here is a brief outline to remind us of Who God is in all the periods of life.
 

Past: Key word “Forgiveness” Scripture: Isaiah 1:1-18
Present: Key word “Strength” Scripture: 1 John 1:1-17
Future: Key word “Hope” Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; 2 Timothy 4:8
                 
 
Remember it is important that you finish well. Paul says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7–8, NASB95). How we live our lives does make a difference for all eternity. Let’s make sure we live each day with our past forgiven, our present strengthened and our future secured in the hope of the Lord. Happy 2014!!!