Well, here we are at the close of 2021 and ready to step into 2022 in just a few hours. As much as we like to say we don’t like change, there is a part of us which actually longs for change. That is why a new year is so important to us all. The opportunity to put things behind us and move on in a new way. I know I have preached messages like “A New Day A New Way” talking about the opportunity to begin a new year with a new focus and intensity.
With the new year coming, there will be some new things, but much of what is going on today will continue. People will still focus more on self than God. Politicians will still do what they believe their base wants, as small and insane as that base maybe. Those aches and pains will probably continue unless the new meds the doctor prescribed can do their thing. We are all getting another day older and over time things wear out even with the best of our work to do preventative maintenance.
It would certainly be my desire that everyone knew Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. It is unfortunate that it will never be the case. Many are and will be led astray by the devil and never believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. They will believe a lie and thus be eternally separated from God in hell. The unfortunate truth is also that there will and are those who know Christ as Savior but never have or will grow to be the person God would have them to be. So, because there are so many who do not and will not know the truth and there is a enemy in the devil there is no doubt things will never be like I would like them to be. Can I get an amen?
Let me say here that just because people are saved or think they are saved that they all make the right choices. I mean have you ever been to a church and seen how people act? Well, it would be necessary to point out at this point that Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 ESV- “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. They may come into the front door of the church but they will never enter the pearly gets of Heaven.
We are a sinful people and because of our sin we are not perfect. We are to strive to be the people God wants us to be but the sin that so easily besets us, well, we just can’t help ourselves at times for doing, saying, acting in a way that is not of the Lord.
So how do we know when we are going off the rails in our spiritual walk? Well, that is when the Holy Spirit directs us and speaks into our lives. He is speaking into us and we have to listen and heed the Spirit‘s direction. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 ESV tells us “Do not quench the Holy Spirit”. Then in Ephesians 4:30 ESV we are told “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption“. To do so is to our own detriment. We then miss what we need to be and that is the person God wants us and desires us to be.
Tomorrow marks a new year and it is a wonderful time for each of us to take the opportunity to do what we need to do in order to be the person God wants us to be.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then do what Paul said in Romans 10:9 ESV ”…confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.“ Let us know if you make the decision today by using the Contact Me on the website. I would love to talk with you about the decision and the next steps you need to take.
If you do know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then focus daily on Him and seek His direction in your life. Let God be God and His Spirit and His Word your guide each day to do His will. You will never be as happy as you will be when He is leading your life and you are seeing Him work through you for His glory.
Elaine and I want to wish you a very Happy New Year. Thank you for allowing me to share ”A thought to ponder” with you each week.
In God’s Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
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