LESSON 25

2005 NEW BEGINNING

1/5/05

YOU'RE THOUGHTS: It's a new year how do you want to start it?

Have you really thought about it?

MY THOUGHTS: I would like to share with you a chorus that was written by a contemporary Christian rock group, Casting Crowns. “The Voice of Truth tells me a different story, The Voice of Truth says do not be afraid, The Voice of Truth says this is for My Glory”. Then they go on to say that of all the voices that they listen to they prefer the Voice of Truth. Who is the Voice of Truth in your life? Let’s start the year 2005 in a positive and uplifting fashion and hopefully you will see that the Voice of Truth that we must listen to is Jesus, God incarnate. The Truth is spelled out for us by the verbal inspiration of the Bible. These dedicated writers were very much in tune with the Voice of Truth. I would like to share some of these inspired passages of scripture with you and it is my prayer that they will be the starting brick in building your spiritual foundation or another brick to reinforce your spiritual foundation. I believe if we work on our foundations early in this fresh New Year, we will be prepared for whatever storm this New Year may bring us.

What better way to start then by hearing the words from the Truth Himself, Jesus Christ. “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the Truth, everyone that is of the Truth heareth My voice". (John 18:37.) This is how we can hear His voice. “If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free. (John 8:31,32). This year let’s try to listen to the Truth by prayerfully reading the Bible more.

Here are a couple of passages on a topic that we all need to work on this year, Forgiveness. “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25). If we are very honest with ourselves we will appreciate more how merciful our Father in heaven is and in turn will have that same attitude toward others. Here’s where love can overcome all. ‘Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven; the same loveth little. (Luke 7:47).

Love can be a scary thing, if it’s love, as we know it to be, between a man and a woman because we fear disappointment. In true love, the love that Jesus showed us while on this earth and the love that our Father in heaven has for His Creation does not disappoint us as you can see in these scriptures. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “If a man loves Me, he will keep My words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with Him.” (John 14:23) It is an awesome thought to know that Gods unconditional Love will always be with us because He took residence in us. Here is the greatest commandment of all. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” This is the first commandment. And the second is this, “ Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30, 31). With exceptions, most people will take good care of themselves, so imagine how easy it would be if we practiced the same concern toward others. Let’s try it and see what happens.

In conclusion, I would like to present a series of scriptures that will without a doubt, give you a giant boost into this New Year. The apostle Paul was inspired to pen these for our benefit. “Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Rom. 8:35) “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Rom. 8:37). “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom.8:37-39)

I hope these passages of scriptures was an inspiration to you and I hope that you will make this your New Year’s resolution that the only voice that you want to hear is the Voice of God and the main means of hearing his Voice is through the verbal inspired Word of God, the Bible. Happy New Year and may your cup overflow with His blessings. Amen.

Scripture Ref: 2Tim 2:15, 1Cor 9: 24-27, 1Sam 3:21, John 6:63

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