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(Psalms 65:11) “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.”
As I read this verse it reminds me of the hymn “Count your many blessings, name them one by one.” With every year that passes, we are reminded of several blessings, and the conclusion of them all is that God is always Good. Here are a few things to remember as we enter into the new year: A. A Time to Remember our Creator (Ecclesiastes 12:1) “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;” It’s spiritually healthy to remember that God is the source of our life; without the Creator God we would not have life at all. Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created…” To forget our Creator is to forget the God that is over us. (Psalms 100:2-3) “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Vs3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” B. A Time to Reflect on the Works and Wonders of God (Psalms 77:11-12) “I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. Vs 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” God has been too good, and we cannot thank Him enough. Notice the goodness of God. 1. God has redeemed us from the bondage of sin which brings death and Hell. Revelation 1:18 2. God has attributed His righteousness to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 3. God has made us privileged people by putting us into the ministry to serve Him. 1 Timothy 1:12 4. God is preparing a place for us. John 14:1-4 We can go on and on about God’s works to us. Let us reflect on God’s goodness, not on our expectations, and we won’t be disappointed. C. A Time to be Reassured that our Time on Earth is Short. Time is short, especially when we compare it to eternity. (Psalms 89:47) “Remember how short my time is:” God’s people are encouraged by the Word of God to focus our desire on things above. Colossians 3:1-3 (Psalms 90:12) “”So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Wisdom is to live with Eternity in view. Wisdom is to live for God’s glory. Wisdom is to live by God’s power, and Wisdom is to live in the Will of God. Amen! (James 4:14-15) “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Vs 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” D. A Time to be Refreshed to Press Forward by God’s Power (Philippians 3:13-15) “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, vs 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. vs 16 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” We are admonished to have the same mind that God renewed in the Apostle Paul. It is a mind to keep on keeping on, to keep growing in Christ, having our eyes/hearts fixed upon Him. It is a danger to come to a point where we think we have arrived. Our faith in Christ must always be stretched by God’s power to do God’s Work in a Christ-like way. God help us from going through the motions. God help us from going backwards. God help us press forward by His power. God is able.
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James 4:13-15 “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: vs 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Vs 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”
The Bible likens life to a vapour. A vapour is the mist or fog that you see in the morning that disappears soon after. Life is just for a moment. Here are some reasons why life is but for a moment: 1. Death is Certain a. Old age If any of us lived to see a hundred years that would still be a very short time. When you view life in the light of eternity, life is only a vapour. b. Sudden death No one is guaranteed that they will live to their full age. The news is full of tragedies such as car accidents, murders, and heath issues (Cancer); and all these things can come upon us like a thief in the night. 2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” c. God can cut our life short if He chooses Luke 12:20 “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” We must remember that God gives life and God can take it away at any time. If God decides to cut our life short, then that is totally up to Him. That is why it is important that we live surrendered lives to Christ. 2. Coming of Christ is soon James 5:8 “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” Death is not only certain, but the coming of Christ is very soon. Many things around us are happening that the Word of God predicts that prove the end time is near. Life is a vapour because Jesus is coming very soon. Because life is only for a moment the Bible instructs us to live according to the will of God. It a sad thing when a Christian chooses to live life as if they are going to live forever on earth. James 4:16 “But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.” We have a limited time on earth, but the flesh continues to fight against God’s will and desires to live for self. Notice what the Word of God states. Ephesians 5:15-18 “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, vs 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Vs 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Vs 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” a. Do not be foolish but walk with wisdom. b. Do not waste time but make every opportunity count for God’s glory. c. Strive to know and to do what God wills and do not seek to do what you want to do. d. Be controlled by the Holy Spirit, and do not be overcome with the lust of your flesh. In other words, do not just live for yourself. We must live with eternity in view. Someone once said, “For a little reward men make a long journey; for eternal matters many will scarce lift a foot once from the ground.” Notice what Moses said. Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” |
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