This was an article my pastor sent a while ago and since I like to post things later than the norm, here goes. I think it goes along with my aversion to making New Years resolutions, since they are often pointless in the lives of those who make them. So, here for your reflection:
“Happy New Year!”
It’s that time of year again when we make resolutions that last all of two or three days. The scriptures in 1 Peter 1:3-5 state, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us NEW (emphasis mine) birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never, spoil or fade- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (N.I.V.). Colossians 3:5 encourages us to put off the old self with its awful deeds and “put on the NEW self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (N.I.V.). 2 Corinthians 5:16 encourages us to see one another in light of the work of salvation in each others lives: old things have passed away and all things have become new. They are a NEW creation. Romans 6: 1-4 says that we are to not continue in sin, but we should walk in NEWNESS of life. Ezekiel 18:30-31 says, “Therefore O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offences; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all your offences you have committed, and get a NEW heart and a NEW spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel?” Lamentations 3:22-26 reminds us that the Lord’s mercies are “NEW every morning.” In Isaiah 42: 6,7,9, and 10, we read concerning Messiah, “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open the eyes of the blind, to free the captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. See, former things have taken place, and NEW things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. Sing to the Lord a NEW song, his praise from the ends of the earth” (N.I.V.). In Psalm 40: 3 David declares, “He put a NEW song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God” (N.I.V.).
We can receive the gift of a new birth which requires that we put on a new self. We must not judge others by their past because they are a new creation. Each of us should walk a new way, not in our old sinful ways- proving that we have a new heart and a new spirit. If we are doing our best, his new mercies cover our mistakes. As our love and appreciation for the Lord grow, we find ourselves singing new songs of praise to the Lord. In the Lord, we find the contentment, fulfillment, and purpose for which we were looking. In Ecclesiastes 1:9, Solomon makes the observation that there is nothing new under the sun. That would seem to be juxtaposed to the preceding scriptures. That is, however, not the case. In fact, Solomon is making the case that there is nothing in life, outside of God himself, that can bring contentment, fulfillment, and purpose. It is all, in his words, “chasing after the wind” (N.I.V.). Only in new life in Jesus Christ can one truly find a happy and NEW year!
Pastor Gary
On a personal note, what is difficult for me is that while I am happy when someone "accepts the Lord", I have seen many people "pray the prayer"; then thinking they are good, and having their fire insurance they go live just like they were before with no change in their lives. Also, we must be careful in offering Christ as "life enhancement" (though He does enhance one's life). He is not merely life enhancement (Dr. Phil and anything but God does that), He is the King of Kings, Creator of the World, the Only true God. Dr. Phil has nothing on that.
God bless,
Derrick
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4 comments:
One must also be careful when a loved one puts us on a 'bummer". Life is not always a bed of roses. True forgiveness and love comes from erasing the "hurt" that may take over what The Lord demands from us. Dude, I hurt real bad. The only way I handled it was to give it to The Lord. It worked, but my neanderthal ways make it necessary to pray about the things that have hurt me every day. Without him, I may not have made it this far. Derrick, how about a Blog looking at these things? I am a sinner. Thank God for June 4, 1979.
I'm not entirely clear on what it is you want a blog on? Could be more specific?
STR posted this great article on what true forgiveness is and isn't.
Here is the link: http://theologica.blogspot.com/2007/01/is-forgiveness-always-right-and.html
I don't know if it helps or not, I am confused about what it is you are trying to say.
Derrick
Derrick,
I "had" hurt real bad at times. I suppose the wording would have made more sense that way. Rather than take other means to try to help that hurt, praying helps more than anything. People get attached to means which have a temporary numbing effect on what hurts them. Alcohol, drugs, or any other way of dealing with "feeling better" is no match for the true way of feeling better. That way is through the loving kindness that The Lord gives one. With that, comes the responsibility of not still living one's life with the same methods that were numbing us before. The neanderthal method is the consumption of anything that makes us feel better. generally, this lasts for a little while, then you have the hangover or whatever along with what was bothering one to begin with. Usually, more problems were compiled along with the taking of alcohol, drugs, or or "pain relieving" methods not compatable with being a Christian. Handling anger or hurt is a tough call. Even when saved, one must remember that we are sinners, and fall short without His grace. So, taking the easy or painful route in consuming anything other than prayer for hurt relief can be devistating. My caseload now sees more adults looking to prescriptive means for staying sane. This is a scarey thing. Just because it is a prescription, does not make if OK all of the time. Many caseload parents also drink ( either a little or a lot)when taking their "medication". The Christian Population ( et all society) needs to be aware that these drugs are highly addictive. Television advertisements glorify the wonder of these drugs, many times just advertising that they make you feel better without even saying what they are for. Awareness of these mood modifiers and long term effects are not widely stated. Sometimes we just need to "hurt" and experience the testing or trials that go along with being human. Thus, the power of prayer.
OK. I think that clears things up a little. I'm still not clear on what you would want a blog on.
Anyway, I think many folks, myself included, have turned to other things to mask our pain and hurt. By doing the things you've described, it is easier to then hurt those around us. I have been on the giving and receiving end of this many times in my life.
You say people need to know how bad these new prescription drugs are. I think many people don't care. I think this is evident even with alcohol-people learn from a young age how many problems are caused by too much alcohol, but still grow up and make some bad choices under the influence.
As many on the blog know, I am speaking with experience on this issue, and I fully believe that alcohol is right up there with the worst drugs largely because many folks can be a "functioning" alcoholic. One doesn't have to beat their wife and kids to be problem drinker. Ask my dad. And uncles. And grandpas.
My two bits,
Derrick
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