Happy New Year

"I say only this: forgetting what is behind me, I race forward and run towards the goal, my eyes on the prize to which God has called us from above in Christ Jesus." - Phillippians 3:13-14

With the new year, we always try to put in the past the mistakes we've made and look forward to starting over on a blank slate with new resolutions. But let's be honest - just like we're not going to stick to the diet, we're going to let God down. We might fall back into those sins we're trying so hard to leave behind. Here, Paul gives us a message of hope for all new things, forget what is behind you and move forward with your eyes on the prize! Don't hold on to the guilt of those past sins or feeling like you can't get forgiveness from the Lord because you can. We're bound to fall from time to time, but don't let that stop you, don't let that slow you down! We all have to keep racing towards our dreams and goals. Our life is one big race and the only way to win is to keep looking forward. When we look back at our mistakes, we carry them with us as dead weight and we will stumble and fall. 2008 is your year to set your relationship with the Lord on fire. He is wiping your slate clean and with repentance in your heart, He has forgotten all of your past. All you have to do now is look forward and keep on running.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for the new year and all I've grown in 2007. Help me to, like Paul, keep on racing towards You and never look back at the mistakes of my past. Help keep me steady, confident, and set on You and the plans You have for me. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Sins You're Not Sorry For...yet

"Jesus also said to all the people, 'If you wish be a follower of mine, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow me. For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it, and if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it.'" - Luke 9:23-24

I think it's obvious that I wish to follow Christ and if you're reading this, you do as well. There really are so many things we need to work on in order to imitate Him and so many things we need to repent of, but how about those things we know are wrong, things we know God doesn't like, but we're not ready to let go of? I know God loves a repented heart and as long as I'm sorry for what I've done, He forgives me and makes me pure. There are things, though, that I know He doesn't like, but I'm not sure I feel sorry for them. It's one thing to sin without realizing it and another to know something is wrong and still do it. I think this is one of the hardest things for me and a big obstacle on my road to Him. If I'm not sorry for these things, then I'm choosing to save my mortal life and I lose my eternal life, which is my true life. There are just so many things and so many circumstances that arise that make it so hard to be a Christian. Things of this world really do get in the way, but as I pray and think about it, I'm putting myself first and not God - and this is how I know I'm really wrong. If I don't put Him first, then I'm just not worthy of Him. There's just no compromising here; if I want to follow Him, I need to stick to my guns and walk on the right path. The answer should then be to keep on praying and trying to do what's right, although the repented heart isn't there yet, and God will do His part to help me get there.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, Your commandments are written on my heart but You know that there are things I struggle to give up. I want to make You first but there are things that I've put in the way of You. Please help me get to a point where Your will is my will and I feel the sorrow of sin as much as You do. In Your Name we pray, Amen.