January 7th 2018
Every Day Is A Second Chance!
Revelation 21:25 (NIV)
On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.
Every day is an offer of a new day not a new year, as no one is guaranteed tomorrow in this present world. Jesus Christ through His perfect sacrifice has assured His followers a new tomorrow that is guaranteed to last forever. A new day of unlimited time not of 24 hours, an unending day without being ended by “night!” In the new world there will be “no darkness”, as there will be “no nighttime.” Therefore, in this world it is good to plan for your future, just in case you are still here when tomorrow rolls around. However, your planning must be done on a day by day basis, if you desire to see your resolutions coming to fruition!
If your New Year’s resolution(s) will be accomplished, it must be planned on a day-to-day basis. To accomplish it you must have a daily plan, and only keep track of it by looking back for determining your success! Once you start the plan you must, of course, have a future expectation by which can measure your success over time, but again remember the plan must be done on a day-to-day basis. This perspective also allows for failures to be limited to a daily failure, and does not cause your long-range plan to fail. As the byline of this VOW states, “every day is a second chance.” If you woke up this morning and found yourself breathing, then God has given you the start of another day of life on this earth, so be thankful to Him!
A great resolution for this year would be to become more Christ-like, and to value life as a means to daily growth in your faith. Paul wrote about living for Christ and looking forward to death, as a means to go be with Jesus, but first to work on helping others to increase in their faith. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (Philippians 1:21-24). Most of us do not likely desire to die, so you can be with Jesus, as Paul professes, but as Paul writes, “it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” A great way to do this is to take-on responsibility of some form of leadership at the church of your choice this year.
Some reading this may think they cannot take on a leadership role, as they do not know the Bible well enough to lead a class or Bible study. If this is you, then a great resolution would be to read through the Bible this year in preparation for possible leadership next year! Jesus called His disciples (us) the light of the world, and most of them were not highly educated people of that day. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. (Matthew 5:14-16). Jesus said to His disciples, "You are the light of the world.”
John wrote about walking in the light, which is of course referring to Jesus as that light. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1John 1:7). Are you planning to walk in the light this year? Think about that, and come up with resolving a method to at least improve your “walk” this year. Someone may notice and be influenced to seek out the Lord. Even better, would be if you sought out someone you believe could use your help to identify their need for Jesus in their life. Remember, Jesus left the Holy Spirit behind on this earth to help His followers to be the light of this world.
Remember too, as followers of Jesus we are not limited to only caring about those who agree with us, but we are to take the light to even those who profess to be our enemies. If you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:47-48). Love for enemies is an outreach most of us would not identify with, but try to remember that Jesus died for all of mankind. His love extends to all of mankind, and His salvation is to be available to all. Paul wrote about how all believers are to be considered as one body. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15). However, “as members of one body” could also be assigned to all members of mankind!
In this world we do have darkness and evil and Satan is pointed to as the ruler of this world by Jesus. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. (John 14:30-31a). Jesus said, “the prince of this world is coming.” Jesus was referring here to Satan influencing men to turn against Him, and kill Him. So, while Satan may be the ruler of this world, there is the Holy Spirit available to all believers to give us guidance in our search for the truth. Paul wrote about how we can devote our lives to the glory of God. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1Corinthians 10:31). Every aspect of your life should glorify God. Now that is a good resolution to work on in this coming year.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Revelation 21:25 (NIV)
On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.
Every day is an offer of a new day not a new year, as no one is guaranteed tomorrow in this present world. Jesus Christ through His perfect sacrifice has assured His followers a new tomorrow that is guaranteed to last forever. A new day of unlimited time not of 24 hours, an unending day without being ended by “night!” In the new world there will be “no darkness”, as there will be “no nighttime.” Therefore, in this world it is good to plan for your future, just in case you are still here when tomorrow rolls around. However, your planning must be done on a day by day basis, if you desire to see your resolutions coming to fruition!
If your New Year’s resolution(s) will be accomplished, it must be planned on a day-to-day basis. To accomplish it you must have a daily plan, and only keep track of it by looking back for determining your success! Once you start the plan you must, of course, have a future expectation by which can measure your success over time, but again remember the plan must be done on a day-to-day basis. This perspective also allows for failures to be limited to a daily failure, and does not cause your long-range plan to fail. As the byline of this VOW states, “every day is a second chance.” If you woke up this morning and found yourself breathing, then God has given you the start of another day of life on this earth, so be thankful to Him!
A great resolution for this year would be to become more Christ-like, and to value life as a means to daily growth in your faith. Paul wrote about living for Christ and looking forward to death, as a means to go be with Jesus, but first to work on helping others to increase in their faith. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (Philippians 1:21-24). Most of us do not likely desire to die, so you can be with Jesus, as Paul professes, but as Paul writes, “it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” A great way to do this is to take-on responsibility of some form of leadership at the church of your choice this year.
Some reading this may think they cannot take on a leadership role, as they do not know the Bible well enough to lead a class or Bible study. If this is you, then a great resolution would be to read through the Bible this year in preparation for possible leadership next year! Jesus called His disciples (us) the light of the world, and most of them were not highly educated people of that day. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. (Matthew 5:14-16). Jesus said to His disciples, "You are the light of the world.”
John wrote about walking in the light, which is of course referring to Jesus as that light. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1John 1:7). Are you planning to walk in the light this year? Think about that, and come up with resolving a method to at least improve your “walk” this year. Someone may notice and be influenced to seek out the Lord. Even better, would be if you sought out someone you believe could use your help to identify their need for Jesus in their life. Remember, Jesus left the Holy Spirit behind on this earth to help His followers to be the light of this world.
Remember too, as followers of Jesus we are not limited to only caring about those who agree with us, but we are to take the light to even those who profess to be our enemies. If you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:47-48). Love for enemies is an outreach most of us would not identify with, but try to remember that Jesus died for all of mankind. His love extends to all of mankind, and His salvation is to be available to all. Paul wrote about how all believers are to be considered as one body. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15). However, “as members of one body” could also be assigned to all members of mankind!
In this world we do have darkness and evil and Satan is pointed to as the ruler of this world by Jesus. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. (John 14:30-31a). Jesus said, “the prince of this world is coming.” Jesus was referring here to Satan influencing men to turn against Him, and kill Him. So, while Satan may be the ruler of this world, there is the Holy Spirit available to all believers to give us guidance in our search for the truth. Paul wrote about how we can devote our lives to the glory of God. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1Corinthians 10:31). Every aspect of your life should glorify God. Now that is a good resolution to work on in this coming year.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak