Life's Not About Me

 

     How much of your new year is dedicated to a new you?  How much of your new year is invested in your relationship with Christ?  Colossians 1:16 "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him."  Doesn't that verse humble you and make you question your priorities?

     "The Bible says, "It is God who directs the lives of his creatures; everyone's life in his power."" [R. Warren]  When we only focus on ourselves, God can get lost in our priorities.  We must put God first in our lives!  How we spend our money and our time should be a reflection of  our relationship with Him. 

      "You were made by God and for God--and until you understand that, life will never make sense." [R. Warren]  God created us for his pleasure, not to entertain him, but to have a relationship with.  "God is a personal Being, and it gives Him pleasure to have other beings He can have a genuine relationship with." [gotquestions.org]  God pursues us, but we must open our hearts and mind to begin that relationship.

     "God is not just the starting point in your life, he is the source of it."   When we depend on God's Word, we find true wisdom and direction for the trials of life.  Proverbs 3:5-6  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  We often get in a rut of doing things our own way, instead of God's way.  We have to have an intentional change of heart, mind and attitude to overcome our sinful, destructive ways.

     Life without God is meaningless.  If you're just living for yourself or others, then you will surely be disappointed.  If you live with Jesus and His willful purpose in mind, then your submissiveness to His plan will payoff.  "We cannot serve both God and ourselves. Living for God means we make a final decision about who is in charge. When our flesh begins to reassert its rights, we take it back to the cross and allow it to die. When sin tempts, the decision has already been made: we seek God’s will over our own." [gotquestions.org]

     As for myself, my new year has an intentional plan of 'more Jesus, less me'.  Living for God may be difficult, but it is not joyless.  My focus will try to be on Romans 12:19, because His wrath is just and greater than anything I can do.  1 Peter 4:16  "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name."

Praise Him..Always

 “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” -Titus‬ ‭3:3-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

       Will you praise God no matter what comes in your life?   Everyday we see on the news, people who have lost all of their worldly possessions because of tornadoes, floods, or some violent weather occurrence.  Right now, we see numerous deaths daily due to the Covid virus.  We live in a world of destruction, decay and loss all because of the day when sin entered into this world.  There is hope, 1 Peter 1:6-7 "So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."

       God told us that trials would be part of our earthly lives, but we could have peace thru those trials by remaining in Him through faith and trust.  John 16:31-33  “"Do you now believe?" Jesus replied.  A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  Jesus questioned his disciples true faith, even tho he knew he would be betrayed.  Jesus was comforted thru His trials and sufferings, because he knew God was always with him.  "Those that converse with God in solitude are never less alone than when alone.  A good God and a good heart are good company at any time." [M. Henry]

"We are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

       As for myself, I've had the fullest life.  The house, the spouse, the job, the probs, the cars, the travels, the marriage, the divorce, the strength and the definite weaknesses.  Yes, I have once been strong enough on my own, before my disease made me completely dependent on others.  Yes, I will praise God on the mountain and in the valley because He is always with me.  He has allowed much to be taken, but has left plenty to praise Him with.  Nothing will separate me from His love...nothing!