Happy New Year
Happy New Year
What does that usually mean to people? Fresh beginnings and yes those famous New Year’s resolutions that we all have whether spoken or unspoken. At this time of the year we begin to reflect back on the areas we fell short and create images in our minds of what we aspire to do in the new year. We all know what the most popular resolutions are; exercise more, eat better, lose weight, be a better person, save more money, etc. Do they sound familiar?
Let’s together take a few minutes here to reflect on something else in our lives. Honesty, morality, and our relationship with God, these are the tough subjects that we try not to think about. When I speak of honesty I am speaking about the way in which we understand ourselves. Are you (we) totally honest with yourself? Do you have your life headed spiritually and emotionally in the right direction? Are you honest with your feelings as it pertains to work, family, church, friends, or do you say and do things that are popular and gain you acceptance yet leave you spiritually empty? If we do not honesty do you think we can attain holiness?
Morality is another unpopular subject especially in the society in which we live. Everything pulls our minds into a direction that is away from God and towards the secular. Thank goodness through the perfection of God’s creation he built a safety system within us called a conscience. When we are about to do something that is not right or ethical there is the conscience that tells us, hey you better think before you act. Then the free will comes in and our minds have to disseminate all the secular information that we are deluged with and before you know it the conscience is shuttered and our moral actions are lost. If you want to strengthen your relationship with Christ take a look at your morals. Not only is it important how you see you but how others see you.
Whatever past regret or other experience slips in to eclipse my view of my relationship with God, it comes without authority to support it. We can regain our honesty and morality, and we can attain the holiness that God so graciously bestowed within us. Let’s awaken the spirit within in 2009 and make the resolution to be closer to Christ in our prayer life, personal life, and church life. I think it is almost impossible to create and hold to resolutions when your life is not honest. We all know what happens in February with all the new exercise equipment that was purchased with good intentions; it ends up in garage sales or classifieds at a fraction of the price. Do not sell yourself out for a price, because you are worth the price Christ paid. Hold fast to those resolutions that bring you closer to our Lord. Honesty leads us to holiness and holiness leads us to hope in a brighter tomorrow, and the combination of the three h’s (honesty, holiness, and hope) can lead us to our eternal goal of heaven.
I will close with sacred scripture from Philippians Chapter 3
I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
Lord Jesus Christ guide our hearts and minds into the New Year. Shape our thoughts and emotions in such a way that our honesty and morals pave the way to holiness. Forgive us of our past trespasses and help us to forgive those that have trespassed against us. In your most gracious and Holy name we pray, AMEN
What does that usually mean to people? Fresh beginnings and yes those famous New Year’s resolutions that we all have whether spoken or unspoken. At this time of the year we begin to reflect back on the areas we fell short and create images in our minds of what we aspire to do in the new year. We all know what the most popular resolutions are; exercise more, eat better, lose weight, be a better person, save more money, etc. Do they sound familiar?
Let’s together take a few minutes here to reflect on something else in our lives. Honesty, morality, and our relationship with God, these are the tough subjects that we try not to think about. When I speak of honesty I am speaking about the way in which we understand ourselves. Are you (we) totally honest with yourself? Do you have your life headed spiritually and emotionally in the right direction? Are you honest with your feelings as it pertains to work, family, church, friends, or do you say and do things that are popular and gain you acceptance yet leave you spiritually empty? If we do not honesty do you think we can attain holiness?
Morality is another unpopular subject especially in the society in which we live. Everything pulls our minds into a direction that is away from God and towards the secular. Thank goodness through the perfection of God’s creation he built a safety system within us called a conscience. When we are about to do something that is not right or ethical there is the conscience that tells us, hey you better think before you act. Then the free will comes in and our minds have to disseminate all the secular information that we are deluged with and before you know it the conscience is shuttered and our moral actions are lost. If you want to strengthen your relationship with Christ take a look at your morals. Not only is it important how you see you but how others see you.
Whatever past regret or other experience slips in to eclipse my view of my relationship with God, it comes without authority to support it. We can regain our honesty and morality, and we can attain the holiness that God so graciously bestowed within us. Let’s awaken the spirit within in 2009 and make the resolution to be closer to Christ in our prayer life, personal life, and church life. I think it is almost impossible to create and hold to resolutions when your life is not honest. We all know what happens in February with all the new exercise equipment that was purchased with good intentions; it ends up in garage sales or classifieds at a fraction of the price. Do not sell yourself out for a price, because you are worth the price Christ paid. Hold fast to those resolutions that bring you closer to our Lord. Honesty leads us to holiness and holiness leads us to hope in a brighter tomorrow, and the combination of the three h’s (honesty, holiness, and hope) can lead us to our eternal goal of heaven.
I will close with sacred scripture from Philippians Chapter 3
I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
Lord Jesus Christ guide our hearts and minds into the New Year. Shape our thoughts and emotions in such a way that our honesty and morals pave the way to holiness. Forgive us of our past trespasses and help us to forgive those that have trespassed against us. In your most gracious and Holy name we pray, AMEN
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