2013: A Year for New Possibilities

 

Children and adults alike waited with excitement for Christmas and before they knew it: it came, brought much joy and in a matter of hours, it was gone for another year. With its departure also went the Yuletide spirit and the love that people shared so generously with the needy, unlovely and the unlovable. Unfortunately, this past Christmas wasn't joyous for everyone, because of the loss of loved ones, which makes holidays more difficult to bear. My heart still aches for those, who lost loved ones in the Newtown shooting. I can only imagine how they felt on Christmas morning. After purchasing special gifts and planning to surprise their children, spouses or loved ones; that opportunity was stolen from then in a single act of violence. There's a gaping wound in their hearts and an empty place at their tables. Healing will be slow and painful, but they will heal in time and their hearts will stop bleeding. They will be left with a scar that will always remind them of the tragic day that stole their loved one. 

Once Christmas was over; people resumed familiar routines and went back to business as usual. Before the new year, many people considered resolutions [resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.] they usually don't keep after the first month of the new year. What they really need more than a resolution is to accept the redemption of Jesus. He did all of the work on Calvary to set mankind free from the bondage of sin, sickness and poverty. Jesus came to earth through a young virgin that we might have life; and that more abundantly (John 10:10).  If you don't know Jesus as Savior and Lord; seek new life this year through Jesus. Since, the Lord was gracious, I was given the opportunity to see the new year and look forward to experiencing new possibilities. For some people (me included) it might be employment; for others a better job; for others a new career. The list of possibilities is endless: but we should look forward to better things with excitement. Include God in this year's agenda, because He's been so merciful to you and me. 

God is always saddened by the atrocities in the world, but He gave Adam and Eve a  freewill, when they were in the Garden of Eden. Because of man's freewill God cannot intervene in our decisions outside of prayer. He desires that 2013 that is meaningful and beneficial to you, your loved ones and those who come across your path. He desires that we obey His commands and walk in love, so we can love our neighbors as we love ourselves. If you don't know God's only Begotten Son--Jesus [John 3:16], you can received Him today as your Lord and Savior [Read Romans 10:9-10 out loud]. Find a Bible-believing church or return to the church you attended before you strayed from God. 

Having Jesus in your life is better than having all the money in the world.This world and all of its riches will pass away; but God and His Word will not.  One day, we will die and our physical bodies will rot, but our spirits and souls [who we really are] will live forever. If you know Jesus, you will be with Him for eternity in heaven. If you reject Jesus, you will spend eternity in the abyss of hell with Satan, the father of lies.  The devil knows what heaven is like, because he was created to be with God for eternity as a mighty angel and creator of music. Because of his rebellion against God, he with one-third of the heavenly host was cast out of heaven into outer darkness. Scripture states that hell was created for the devil (formerly known as Lucifer) and his angels; but because of iniquity (sin) hell has enlarged itself [Isaiah 5:14] and many today are have already gone or on their way.

The choice of where you will spend eternity is in your hands. Just as you wouldn't purchase fire insurance after you see smoke coming from your home; you shouldn't wait to make a decision for Christ. You can't afford to wait, because the devil will make sure you never have an opportunity to accept Christ. The day you hear His voice (He does speak to us); harden not your heart! I must be honest about being saved. Some people teach or preach that life will be a breeze after you're saved: that isn't true. Life itself doesn't change, but your 'spiritual' life does. You might still burn your toast or the roast; have a flat tire or lose you job, but you are promised a glorious eternity (after death) with the Lord. God is faithful and will never leave or forsake those, who believe and trust in Him (Hebrews 13:5). Also, He doesn't want to see anyone perish in their sins [2 Peter 3:9]. 

In closing, I want to leave you with these words of encouragement:"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words." [1 Thessalonians 4:16-18_ESV]