New Beginnings ...

Here I am at the commencement of a New Year. I had one determination heading into this period, to re-commence the discipline of a Blog.

Many use the start of a year for the purpose of making some form of resolution. They see this as a way of marking it as a starting point. A line in the sand positioning whereby they note, 'from here things will be different, I will now do ...'

I cannot help but be drawn to a reminder that 'any time', no matter what day of the week, time of day, whatever else marks the instance, 'any time' is the best time to make a decision to accept Jesus as Saviour of one's life. It is the purpose for which Jesus came, and we have been reminded of this over the Christmas Season.

My reading this morning was from Genesis chapter 3 which gives an account of the fall of man from the favour of God, through a disobedient act - 'sin'. This caused a separation between God and man, the creation of God. And we learn throughout the Scriptures that God desires most of all to be in relationship with all people. Jesus comes to bridge that gap, to bring the relationship back into a healthy state. If we accept Jesus, does it mean we will no longer sin? No! But that is something for another Blog.

Just now I want us to be certain that our relationship with God, through Jesus, is right. Secondly, that we are centered in God, so that we might assist others in discovering and accept Jesus as their own Saviour.

I pray that the journey is a good and fruitful one for you and I. My desire is that this year will be a Kingdom year, with life after life being added (regularly).

Feel free to pass on this Blog and thank you for your encouragement over past days.

Bless ya real good!

Get rid of it ...

I suppose the first question you might have is - what is "it"?

Have a look at:

Hebrews 12 (New Living Translation)

God’s Discipline Proves His Love

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd

of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off

every weight that slows us down,

especially the sin that so easily trips us up.

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

What might be the weight that slows us down, or the sin that easily trips us up? Interestingly there are passages that spell out explicitly what is meant at times, but on this occasion it might seem it is left for us to explore and discover for ourselves (the Lord helping us of course).

I have some thoughts in regard to this, especially when relating it back to the imagery of a race (and a runner). I wouldn't dream of running with a large coat on for instance, or work boots, or carrying a ladder or something else. So aligning that to the Christian journey and thinking of it to be like a long distance event, to which I want, desire, and aim to get to the end unscathed if possible. Even in this I am mindful of the physical body, the need to be fit and in good condition. I know when I am not performing well. When the kg's are a bit more than they ought to be. When the muscles are unconditioned. How much harder it is to accomplish things. Can I get them done - yes! But it might take longer. It may require more effort. I might take much longer to recover from the task. So I find I am better off attempting to remain in a good condition physically. And yet, I must watch that even this does not get in the way, that I focus too intently on this rather than getting on with what the Lord requires of me.

This is not all. What else might be considered as entangling us? Could it even be a matter of bettering ourselves in education? Working long hours? Spending too much time with or neglecting to spend any time with family? The consideration needs to be in aligning these to what it is the Lord requires of us, and are these things getting in the way of this? Do we give them greater priority?

"Lord, it is my desire that I might function well for you. Help me in the prioritising of what is right and what is not for this purpose. Help me to be conditioned physically, mentally, socially and spiritually, so that I might operate well for You, as You desire of me."