A brand new year is here, and I’m excited to see what the Lord has for us! Keeping Christ at the center of our thoughts takes a great deal of discipline and determination, but so does everything else we really care about.
We often hear people discussing their resolutions, which are serious intentions, desires and promises they believe they can achieve. What are your goals and visions for the coming year? Would you like to draw closer to God and experience his peace and joy? I can tell you, according to his word, he loves you and waits for you to be more involved with him. James 4:8, and Jeremiah 29:12-14 talk about this, but it will take more than just a whim. It will take a drastic lifestyle change.
To become more holy and governed by God, instead of our emotions, let us understand that lifestyle transformation involves personal sacrifice. It is said that the only limit to our goals for tomorrow will be our doubts of today. So, here’s the big question: Just how willing are we to give him total control of our lives? Isn’t this why we are here?
If we abide under the shadow of his wings, we will walk in the peace and joy of his spirit, but if we allow ourselves to be tempted and drawn away by sin, we will remain distant and miserable. Matthew chapter 22 gives us the true meaning of life, “Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”
Most of the time, we are so busy making our own decisions that we hardly consider the distractions that cause us to ignore him. In the book of Revelation, chapter 2, God is disappointed with how the Ephesians had left their “first love,” but what does this mean? It’s time to examine our hearts and choose once and for all who we are going to serve. Actually, the Bible contains many passages where God says he loves us and how much He wants to fellowship with us. The incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection are all about Jesus inviting everyone to have a personal relationship with him, but it’s our decision since he will never force us to love him.