'NEW BEGINNINGS' - January 1, 2012

(CFRA Podcast date: January 1^st , 2012)

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 http://proxy.autopod.ca/podcasts/chum/6/5550/good_news_659_jan01.mp3
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Podcast Notes:

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Issues of Life Series…

‘New Beginnings’

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In Ancient Rome, the first day of the year

was given to the honoring of the god JANUS

JANUS was the god of gates and doors of beginnings and endings

JANUS had two faces.

With one he was able to look backward

and with the other he looked forward

Old Ancient Roman Coin

Had a man with two faces

·         One face is facing the plow   =   Serve

·         One face is facing the alter   =   Surrender

The inscription reads:  ‘Ready for either’

Here’s the New Years Challenge

This is the first and foremost commitment

Challenge for 2012

As committed followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must ask ourselves:

Are we ready ‘Ready for either’ - to SERVE and to SURRENDER…

·         To Serve our Lord, and

·         To Surrender to Him

As we enter the New Year with hope, we look back on successes and failures of the past year it’s important that we adopt a number of principles into our thinking and into our life:

1. “Every setback is a setup for a comeback.”
2. “Every victory is an opportunity to give God glory.” (Dare I say that every failure is an opportunity to give God glory, as well --for the lessons learned.) – Always have an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’, that others may see gratitude for God in YOUR life.
3. “Let’s attempt something so great for God, that it’s doomed to failure, unless God be in it.” That will require vision. The vision in your life must always include the alter and the plough.
4. “In addition to looking BACK and looking FORWARD, we must also pay attention to looking WITHIN: (Psalm 139:23-24), and looking UP: (Psalm 121:1-2,8).”

Are we prepared to look behind us the failures of the last year; the areas where we have fallen short on God’s expectations for us? Once we have learned from our mistakes, we must use what we have learned and look forward, with a PLAN for the future. 

Do we have a ‘Spiritual Bucket List’ for 2012, that reflects forward planning, based on what we have learned from our past mistakes?  

 

Philippians 3:13-14 (GNT)   ¹³ "Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead.¹⁴ So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above."

 

In 2012, we must forget past grievances we have had with others. We must remember more closely to treat our neighbours as Jesus would have us do. We must deal with our past fears, recognizing that the antidote for ‘fear’ is ‘trust’.

Questions to ask ourselves in 2012:  Are we still interested in serving the Most High God? Are we prepared to FOLLOW His plan in 2012? Are we prepared to TRUST His plan in 2012? Are we prepared to COMMIT to His plan in 2012? 

Do you know what God's Plan is for your life in 2012? 

 

Jeremiah 29:11-13  (GNT)   ¹¹ "I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.¹² Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you.^{13 (A)}You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart."

(Cross references:  Jer 29:13; Deut 4:29; Wis 6:12; Wis 6:13;) 

Seek the Lord while he can still be found.

Let’s focus on ‘New Beginnings’

Lamentations 3:21-23

²¹ This I recall to my mind,
      Therefore I have hope.
       ²² Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
      Because His compassions fail not.
       ²³ They are new every morning;
      Great is Your faithfulness.

We get to start new every morning!

The Issues of Life

My ‘Spiritual Bucket List’ for 2012  - with integrity of purpose

1     Keep God First

2     Create a Prayer Life

       that’s:

·           Active

·           Passionate

·           Powerful

3     Commit to studying

       God’s Word

4     Focus of being a

       Faithful Witness

5     Renew my commitment

       To my wife, Tricia

6     Commit to being a good

       Role-Model for family

7     As a pastor, teacher, preacher

       Commit to deliver God’s Word

       without compromise

8     Be Available – Faithful

       Teachable by God’s Spirit

9     Find one more soul for Christ

10   Seek success for this radio Ministry

11   Renew my commitment to enjoy 
       the life that God has given me.
       (To keep an 'Attitude of Gratitude'.)

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To listen to the above broadcast, click on the following link:

http://proxy.autopod.ca/podcasts/chum/6/5550/good_news_659_jan01.mp3