I believe that one of the most important things we can do as followers of Jesus Christ is to stand out from the world we live in. Standing out allows us to be a light in a dark place and should allow others to see God at work in our life. As I have stated many times before, if we don't have something that makes us look different from everyone else, then why would the people around us want what Jesus has to offer. For example, if you heard of someone moving all of their finances over to a new bank that opened up in your town, and all they did was complain about all the troubles they have had since they moved to that bank, then what reason would you have to do the same? You probably wouldn't. Even if the bank you were worth wasn't the greatest, you would probably still just stay where you are and hope it gets better. Well, isn't this what we do when we claim to have Jesus in our lives, but all we do is complain about all the problems, hardships, heartaches and issues that life throws at us? Aren't we supposed to be overcomers of this world? John 16:33 tells us that we can overcome because the One we follow did! It is all about what you want to invest more into, the world that will bring you tribulation, or Jesus who will bring you peace.
As this year comes to an end, and a new one begins, it is a great time to look back and see what you have been investing in more. Did you spend more time talking about all the negativity around you, or did you place your focus and trust on Jesus? Did you tell others about His goodness, or did you tell others about your troubles? Did you allow the enemy to control you through circumstances or did you remind him where your peace and joy comes from? Overcoming is something we are called to do. It shows God's power at work in our life and it is a living breathing example that God's Word is still alive and true today. And I believe that as brothers and sisters in Christ it is our job to encourage one another, as well as challenge one another, to look for God in our everyday life. Look for His hand at work in the situations and circumstances that life dishes out to us...and most of all praise Him, glorify Him and show others that He IS the answer they need in their life. We are walking this earth as representation of the One we serve...So how well was He been represented by you this past year and how much better could He be represented in this coming year. I do not ask that question to bring forth feelings of guilt, shame or condemnation, but instead I am encouraging you to do a self examination of your life...the conversations you have had with others...and whether the world you live in had more of an impact on you, or if you had more of an impact on it. I'm not a big "New Year's resolution" person, but if I could say that I have a goal for 2016 it would be that I do make more of an impact on the world around me and that it has less of an impact on my life...and especially my relationship with the One I serve, Jesus Christ.
God, first of all, thank You for the year You just brought us through. Thank You for Your provision, protection and blessings....even if the enemy made it hard for us to see Your hand at work in our life, we KNOW You were there...so thank You! And as we go into this new year please help us deepen and strengthen our relationship with You. Please help us look for more of You and see more of You. Help us to represent You in every area of our life and realize that one of the only ways that is going to happen is by us submitting every area of our life to You. Help us to fully understand that when we offer complete surrender to You, we also open the door to Your amazing power to be at work in our life. Help us to trust You more, love like you love, forgive like you forgive and demonstrate Your grace and mercy by offering it to those around us. In Jesus name, Amen
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