Let's Go Back to the Bible

Will 2009 Be the Final Chapter in Your Life?

As the end of this year approaches, another chapter in our lives will soon be history. The triumphs and mistakes will forever be written in the hearts of those who witnessed them. It should be a time of sober reflections as we begin writing another chapter in the new year.

Where are you now compared to where you were at the beginning of the year? Has your knowledge of the word of God increased? One lesson I have learned is that as we get older it takes more and more effort to gain and then to retain information. If knowledge of His will for your life is important, then whatever effort it takes to gain it is worth the blessing that will come. We simply cannot give up because a task is harder.

Where is your faith compared to where it was at the beginning of the year? The true measure of faith is not a subjective analysis of it. The true measure of faith is the objective and visible manifestation in one’s life. Remember the words of James when he said, “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). We have made daily decisions throughout this past year. Some were major while others were minor. When those decisions were made, was the first consideration asking what does God say about this? Instead of asking what is the most convenient course to follow, did you begin by asking what is the right thing to do? There is one rule in life and that is “Do Right.” May we never forget that it is always right to do right!

Where is your love for God compared to where it was at the start of this year? Do you love being in His presence? Do you love spending time with Him, talking to Him and letting Him speak to you? Before answering this too quickly, think about your attendance at worship throughout 2009. Has there been a change? What do such changes say about your desire to be around Him, to sit around His table, to sing with Him and to listen as His words are read and discussed?

Finally, what have you invested in God during this past year? How much were you part of the triumph of Mission Sunday? The gospel meeting with Glenn Coley? The super Sundays with Dale Jenkins and Phil Sanders? The times spent together in the Family Room? The Cornerstone meetings and their activities? The lectureship?

The chapter of our lives entitled 2009 is about to be finished? What can you do to make this chapter better?