Devot. Redeeming the Time

Dear Friends,

I pray you had a blessed weekend!

As many people do at the beginning of the year they reflect back on what has happened in their lives the previous year and look ahead to how things can be better.   Some even make New Year's resolutions on how to make things better in their lives or how to be better people. The devot. for today is on that topic, thinking back and looking ahead, but from a more spiritual standpoint.  

So instead of how can I make more money, put away more in the back (even though saving money is a Bible principle), or be a better person the focus on more going to be how can my life make an eternal difference in this world and count for God in 2015. 

 What we do in our spiritual lives has a tremendous effect on what takes places in our physical lives, so don't discount that the two work together.

 

I remember a pastor from my teen years saying, "You make God's business (i.e leading folks to a personal, saving knowing of Jesus) your business and He will take care of your business (your responsibilities and burdens on this earth)."  My parents and I have found this to be very true in our personal lives through the years.   When we have put God first in our jobs, family, money He has always taken care of and blessed us.   Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

 

We must remember that once we have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and have trusted Him as our way to Heaven, the main goal of being on this earth is not be a better you, or stock up earthly treasures (even through it is good to be a good person and invest for the future), the main goal is to be able to take as any souls with us to Heave as we can, tell others about Jesus, do our best to reflect Him (not ourselves) to others, and "grow in the grace, and knowledge of our Lord

and Saviour Jesus Christ."  (2 Peter 3:18)     These are some of 'the main goals' of being down here based on Scripture.    I pray the devot. is good food for thought for the beginning of your New Year.   Lord bless and keep you and yours this week.

 Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/3624  (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/)   

 

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7QaPS_Gp2U&list=PLsR3Ih2lTeAXs9P0SpZMTHBefXOmCp0Gu  (A song that has become a fav. in recent days.  Artist, pianist, and composer is Jewish Believer Marty Goetz.)