Christian Living

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Welcome to 2004! Another year has arrived. We have a chance for a new beginning. Don’t get hooked into making those same old worn-out resolutions that never make it past the month of January but make this a year of purpose in your life. Not just 40 days but the entire 366 days in this year.

Seeking more? Yes! We need to seek Christ more. Let’s not settle for the way things have always been. We’ve played the church game long enough. Our critics have had a field day with us, exposing the lack of God’s power evident in our lives. We must have an active God in our lives or we are doing nothing but playing games. No longer can we settle for Holy Ghost pep rallies. We must consecrate ourselves and become worthy of a holy God’s presence in our churches!

You know, for years I have heard about this great revival that we continue to look for but it never comes. Every year many television ministries proclaim that THIS is the year (2000, 2001, 2002…..) it will happen but that year passes just like the rest. We’ve had enough of the proclamations and cute clichés for the New Year. I have yet to see it. We get flashes of this revival move in Toronto, Canada and Pensacola, Florida but we need more of them and not in certain isolated places. I am convinced that if we truly seek God, He will respond. Our “prophetic words” and excited rhetoric won’t do it. God needs to do it. If we do our part, God will do His.

I don’t know about you but I’m tired and frustrated with church as usual. I have done it but it hasn’t changed. I want to see lives changed. I think I’ll scream at the idea of another denominational program. We don’t need another bright idea. WE NEED GOD! The woman with the issue of needed Jesus; she didn’t need someone to build her emotions up. She was tired, frustrated and spent all of her money seeking the answer through doctors. She knew that Jesus was the only one that could help her. She didn’t want the spotlight or to be in a prayer line of a famous evangelist. She only wanted to touch Him! Just ONE touch. That’s all it took for her. When she touched Jesus, the healing took place. (Matthew 9:20-22) If we can find a way to touch Jesus in our lives, we won’t have to beg people to come to church. People want to be in a place where they can experience a real touch of the Savior. I’m not talking about being touched by an angel but a touch from the holy one Himself! Let’s make that our goal in this new year.

Everything begins and ends with prayer. Prayer is always the key and foundation to anything we do for God. Seeking more of God requires us spending more time with Him. From our own personal devotional time with Him to group prayer meetings, we must seek after Him. The more time we spend in prayer the more we change to fit into God’s will. When we fit into God’s will, His purpose will be made clear to us. Don’t seek a ministry - seek Him. Seeking Him in turn will lead us to our ministry mission.

If you already know what your ministry is, then do it. Don’t wait for thunder and lightning from heaven or a sign. If you know what to do, do it. Do not let fear keep you from stepping out this year. Don’t let another year go by without making the effort. If you are called to preach – preach! If you are called to sing – sing! Don’t let rob you of another year. Step out in faith this year. We often worry about God opening or closing doors. Neither od is a good one to determine God’s will for your life. His Word says He will guide us with His eye. (Psalm 32:8) Trust Him in that He will guide your steps but to do so you must make that first step. The old Indian proverb says that the trip of a thousand miles begins with one step. Don’t let fear or indecision rule you in 2004. Step out and let God lead you to a higher place with Him.

Our God is an awesome God! He knows the way to lead our lives. If He sees that we are doing our part, He will favor us and bless us. There is no time to sit on the sidelines. Let’s get into the action this year. Witness to someone. Time is short. Nothing will excite you more than leading someone else to Christ. Make that effort this year. People are begging to be loved. People are hurting. Reach out to them this year.

Without a doubt we need God more now than ever. I have been in church all my life but I still find myself saying that I need Him more in my life. So many times I let my job and the busyness of everyday life crowd Him out. When I do, I see that my life begins to get out of synch and I need to get my world back in order. The only one that does that is Jesus. No matter what storms come this year, I will trust that He is there. I never want to go back to my old life. I need Him. More than I did in 2003. To me, 2003 was a waste. I started out good but I let the problems of life and my own insecurities hinder me. I remember last year that I began with the theme to lay aside every weight and sin that held me back. Unfortunately, I failed in that theme throughout the year. I didn’t handle things very well and got frustrated too often. I start this year with a desperate heart. Things must NOT stay the same! Things MUST change! I must change according to God’s will.

I don’t know what direction God will lead me this year. If it’s to continue writing or even writing more, I will do that. If He wants me to pray more, I will do that. If He calls me to do something else, I will obey. I make that commitment because without that commitment I will just be at this same place that I was last year with the same problems and the same prayers that go unanswered. I need things to be resolved this year. I need healing in my heart and I need a bigger God than the one I claimed to know last year.

Join me this year in this quest. Are you tired of playing church? Do you still hurt inside? Do you have prayers that go unanswered? The problem isn’t God. If the problem isn’t God then the problem must lie with us. Let’s break through this thing and seek Him more. Start it right now and continue it every day!

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