Conquering 2006 for Christ
Time surely whizzes by and 1.5 weeks of the 52 weeks of 2006 has already being consumed. Almost half of January is gone. That's almost 3% of 2006. And I'm getting nowhere with maths and chronology.There were a few things which God has impressed upon me for the past 2 weeks or so. Although we're already 0.5 way thru January and consumed 3% of 2006, I think the new year is still relatively fresh for many and cheers to 2006 :
Urshering a new year has been a significant event in many areas of our lives. Far from just wee hours partying, much preparation goes on in all walks of life preparing for a new year. Managers have their TnR (targets and results) planning for their sales, budget and cost reduction goals, teachers have their classes to prepare, finance executives scramble for year-end closing and many many others.
I sense very strongly the similar occurance in church life. Along this Gregorian calender timeline, the period around the new year is a good milestone for us to pause and reflect on our walk with Christ in 2005. I am greatly encouraged by some of your sharings about the many blessings and favour that the Lord has poured out in your lives. For some of us, 2005 could be a year you may want to forget. Nevertheless, no matter whether 2005 turned out good or bad, it is important that we further developed our characters on whatever learnings we may acquire. For God is ultimately interested in our characters, not our circumstances.
While I strongly advocate a constant healthcheck on our personal walk with God, the new year is a convenient time-measuring milestone for us to do just that. Whatever our blessings that we have were in 2005, thank God and build upon it so that we may radiate those blessings to those around us as well. For the not-so-nice-things of 2005, if we are a victim of circumstances, be comforted because the Lord is our Comforter and it is unwaster opportunity the Master Craftsman uses to shape our character. Having said that, any bitterness should be surrendered to God at the alter and never to be taken home again. If we have sinned, confess and seek forgiveness from the Lord, for He is faithful in forgiving our trespasses.
All in all, make it an personal commitment with Christ in 2006 to grow more deeply rooted in the Word, for He has clearly stated : If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7). Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your sould and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37). Love Him so much like a little child clinging to His Father oh so tightly, never letting Him go. Love Him so much that it almost ache within you. Be transformed by the renewing of your minds (Romans 12:2). Be spirit-filled and resonate to the pulse of the Holy Spirit. Burn within thy spirit a whiter flame, almost fervently pyretic.
One famous preacher (sorry I forgot his name) once quoted the irony of Christians are the ones who shoot their own soldiers within their camp. It is very possible that salvation in Christ can give rise to an arrogant and "holier that thou" behaviour. We begin to start judging people with reference to our our spiritual standards and righteousness. On the other hand, bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with any form of malice (Ephesians 4:31) is a sure formula for disunity among the members of Christ. Floyd McClung, in his book The Father Heart of God, rightfully points this out when he says that disunity never takes place because of a disagreement. It is because we go beyond disagreement to criticism and judgement. Jesus warned about judging others (Matthew 7:1-6). All we is need is grace. All we need is compassion, kindness and forgiveness. Because Christ forgave us first (Ephesians 4:32). As John Lennon brilliantly wrote the song "All we need is love", it is also in God's interest that after the greatest commandment, the Lord has commanded us to love others as we love ourselves.
There is a power synergy between our personal walk with God and the livelihood His people that should radiate brilliantly outwards to others, regardless of whether they are our unsaved family members, friends or even the market place. When we are called to God's Great Commission, He is looking at the outward mobility model in our livelihood to gain grounds for His Kingdom. As civilization evolves, bringing people to Christ is an obsolete model that no longer works (unless you're a feudal lord who imposes Christianity in your territory). Being relevant in today's society is the name of the game to bring glory to Christ. It's now about bringing Christ to the people. There are many needs to be met out there where if we responsively tap into them with the badge of Christ, quick and effective wins are within grasp. For the larger force that we battle against, we need to seek wisdom so that we can be as shrewd as serpents but remain as innocent as doves. What we need is to be arming ourselves with the belt of truth buckled, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, competently and accurately handling the Word of God.
2006 is really nothing but another insignificant strip of chronology in your lifetime. 3 years is about the timeline we can spend for a degree. 3 years is a long time to mend a heartbreak. 3 years is the average time from one promotion to another. But 3 years of Jesus' live changes history forever. Given this one year, how will you choose to signify 2006 for Christ?
posted by Mel-Vern @ 12:00 PM
1 Comments:
Amen.
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