In 2014, I want to stay the same

What a year, right? Everything is the same and yet so many things are different. So many things changed… everything but the things that really matter. Could we have known? Well… yes.

We get so caught up day in and day out with the things that change-the things that don’t really matter- that we forget to take the time to appreciate the constants in our lives. We want new, better, bigger, and best. Change is great, but when we are constantly making improvements instead of taking the time to see things as they are and just be still, we miss the things that make our lives complete.

These things matter. They matter so much to us that we would literally be altered as a person if they were taken away, and yet we treat them as commonplace because they are not a new-edition, a 2.0, or a rarity for us. They are every day, every week, every month, and little by little, they make us who we are.

God is a fan of remaining constant. He doesn't make new years resolutions to be a better God, to get more in shape, to earn more money, to…. {insert whatever it is we think we need so badly}. He is a constant in a confusing world. He takes joy in being forever faithful to his word and to us. How blessed we are to have Him even take notice of us, let alone love us and provide for us the way that He does. Forever loving, gracious, forgiving, merciful, faithful, tender, powerful, holy, and majestic every minute of every hour of every day even when things are spinning out of control in a crazy world, He is still. He is rest. He is the same.

Love remains the same. I’m not talking about the fickle “love” of temporary relationships, but true love- the bonds of family. Husbands and wives, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers. It remains. There is very little that can be done to break the bonds of that type of love. It is God-given. It is home. It is constant.

In 2014, I want to focus on the things that matter, I want to be something that matters, I want to be constant. I don’t want to be tossed around by the storms of life, I don’t want to let outside circumstances or what I have or have not be in control of my mind and my spirit, up one day and struggling the next. I want to be guided by the sure and steady hand of my Savior, the Rock of my Salvation. I want to be a steady place that others can look to in time of need. I want to be someone who constantly has the joy of the Lord even in tough times, consistently seeking the Lord and striving to be in the center of his will. The same today and tomorrow like Jesus and his perfect constant love.

So what changes are you going to make today? Are you going to focus on the things that are not really going to matter in a year? Or will you make a resolution with me to recognize the things that matter? Will you be one of those constant, steady, important things with me? This changing, improving, always “new and improved” world needs Christians who will remain- true to God, true to his words, true to his will- Every second of every hour of every day- to come home and love the people he has given us, to praise him for his hand upon us, and to serve him because of all he has done for us.

That is my plan in 2014.

*Written by Full Time Girl. Not me :). 

Others

Do you ever just sit and think about what you're doing and why you're doing it? I've been thinking about that a lot lately. Is doing this going to have an eternal affect on life?

Sure, we can spend our time doing 'pointless' stuff that won't really matter in 10 years. But, don't you think we should be using our time, talents, money, abilities for the Lord? Since HE is the one who has given them to us! It can be hard since we live in a "ME, ME, ME" world...we just have to get our eyes off of ourselves and see the world how Jesus sees it. What are some things the God is given you that you can use for HIS glory? After all, the Bible does say Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Your one business in life is to lead men to believe in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Every other thing should be made subservient to this one objective. -Charles Spurgeon


Just a morning thought :)

More than Just a Baby

There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.

Proverbs 30:29–31

When the wise men came to Jerusalem looking for Jesus, they said something that would not normally be correct according to human reckoning. They asked, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him”(Matthew 2:2). When a baby boy is born into a royal family, he is called a prince, not a king. Yet from the very moment of his human birth, Jesus was not just a man, but also the King of kings who had come to be the Saviour of the world.

I love thinking about Jesus lying in the manager while Mary and Joseph watched over Him. But though that is a wonderful part of the Christmas story, it is only a tiny part of it. Jesus was always much more than just a baby. He came into this world on purpose, with every detail of His birth arranged and planned by God. Paul wrote, “But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4–5).

Though Jesus was “tender and mild” as the carol “Silent Night” puts it, when He returns, it will be as the conqueror against whom no power will stand. In preparation for that day we should live today acknowledging and obeying His right to rule and reign over our lives. Let us remember that Jesus not only came to save, but that He will come again as King.

As you prepare for Christmas, don’t lose sight of the power, majesty, and glory of Jesus Christ.

Written by: Paul Chappel