GOALS AND DESIRES
FOR 2008
Time passes so quickly. The year of 2007 has flown quickly
by and now we begin the year 2008. James described the brevity of time in
chapter four verse fourteen. "Whereas you do not know what will happen
tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little
time and then vanishes away." Job
7:6 says, "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle..." Another
description of how quickly time passes is, "...Our days are a
shadow." (Job 8:9) Solomon spoke of
the passing of times in these somber words, "One generation passes away,
and another generation comes..." (Ecclesiastes 1:4)
Recognizing how quickly time pass, let us so
order our lives as to make a difference for God in the year 2008:
I can make a difference for God in 2008 if I
will use my time wisely. Paul said that we should be, "Redeeming
the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:16) Time should be
redeemed as we sincerely repent of sins and busy ourselves with the work of the
kingdom. Do all the good that you can today in the service of the Lord. Avoid
wasting your time in Satan's service. Eternal consequence will result from the
use made of our time!
I can
make a difference for God in 2008 if I will do all the good I can for others. Jesus
went about doing good and so must we. Peter told how that “God anointed Jesus
of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and
healing all who were oppressed by the
devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts
I can
make a difference for God in 2008 if I will be thankful and not complain. We
are taught to "Do all things without complaining and disputing."
(Philippians 2:14) Christians are not to complain, be discontent or to murmur. How can we shine as light if our spirit is
that of a complainer? (Philippians 2:15) Christians are taught to, “be
blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a
crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Our
attitude reflects which master we serve.
I can
make a difference for God in 2008 if I will go the second mile. In the
Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go
with him two." (Matthew 5:41) Christians must serve, bear, forebear and
accept injury without seeking vengeance. Make the best of whatever life brings
and be a Christian in every circumstance. Always live for Jesus under every circumstance
of life.
I can make a difference for God in 2008 if
I will be a soul winner. A
soul winner for Jesus will tell others about God's cure for sin. God gave His Son on the cross to redeem us.
He suffered and died to save us from sin. "We see Jesus, who was made a
little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and
honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone."
(Hebrews 2:9)
I can make a difference for God in 2008 if I will be faithful to God. Faithfulness to God requires a
strong resolve to put Him first in our lives. Becoming a Christian is not
enough. This is only the beginning of a life that is to be lived for God
daily. The Lord must be first in the hearts and lives of His followers. "But
seek first the
Time
is so precious. Will you be wise enough to receive Christ as your Lord and
Savior NOW? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans
By Charles Box,