WHY AM I HERE?

"May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fullfill all your purpose." Psalm 20:4 NJKV "Why did God put me here?" It's an easy question to ask and, at times, a very difficult question to answer. As you seek to answer that question, God's purposes will not allways be clear to you. Sometimes you may wander aimlessly in a wilderness of your own making. And sometimes, you may struggle mightily against God in vain effort to find success and happiness through your own means not His. Are you earnestly seeking to discern God's purpose for your life? If so, these pages are intended as a reminder of several important facts: 1.God has a plan for your life; 2.If you seek that plan sincerely and prayfully, you wil find it; 3.When you discover God's purpose for your life, you will experience abundance, peace, joy, and power-God's power. And that's the only kind of power that really matters. *Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather that it shall never have a beginning. John Henry Cardinal Newman *His life is our light-our purpose and reason for living. Anne Graham Lotz

ON GUARD AGAINST EVIL

Your love must be real. Hate what is evil, and hold on to what is good. Romans 12: 9 NCV This world is Gods creation, and it contains the wonderful fruits of His handiwork. But, it also contains countless opportunities to stray from Gods will. Temptations are everywhere, and the devil, it seems, never takes a day off. Our task, as believers, is to turn away from temptation and to place our lives squarely in the center of Gods will. In his letter to Jewish Christians, Peter offered stern warning: “The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat.”(I Peter 5:8 NCV). What is true in New Testament times is equally true in our own. Evil is indeed abroad the world, and Satan continues to sow the seeds of destruction far and wide. As Christians, we must earnestly wrap ourselves in the protection of Gods Holy Word. When we do, we are secure. Do you know that often a root has split a rock when allowed to remain in it? Give no place to the seed of the evil, seeing that it will break up your faith. Cyril of Jerusalem The only thing necessary for the triumph of evils is good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke

New Beginnings

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5 NKJV Today, like every other day, it’s brimming with possibilities. Whether we realize it or not, God is always working in us and through us; our job is to let Him do His work without undue interference. Yet, we are imperfects being who, because of our limited vision, often resist God’s will. We want life to unfold according to our own desires, not God’s. But, our Heavenly Father may have other plans. As you go through this year, think carefully about that God can do through you. And then set upon the next phase of your life’s journey with a renewed sense of purpose and hope. God has the power to make all things new, including you. Your job is to let Him do it. Consider everyday as a new begging, the first day of your life, and always act with the same fervor. Anthony of Padua Christ came when all things were growing old. He made them new. St. Augustine of Hippo

Trusting the Future to God

“I say this because I know what I am planning for you”, says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NCV Because we are saved by the ridden Christ, we can have hope for the future, no matter how troublesome our present circumstances may seem. After all, God has promised that we are His throughout eternity. And, He has told us that we must place our hopes in Him. Are you willing to place your future in the hands of a loving and all-knowing God? Do you trust I the ultimate goodness of His plan for your life? Will you face today’s challenges with optimism and hope? You should. After all, God created you for a very important purpose: His purpose. And you still have important work to do: His work. Today, as you live in the present and look to the present, remember that God has a plan for you. Act-believe-accordingly. Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. Corrie ten Boom. The future is as bright as the promises of God. Adoniram Judson.

YOUR PLANS, GODS PLANS

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 NKJV *You have plans for your life, and so does God. And, as a Christian beginning a new year, you should ask yourself this question: “How closely can I align my plans with Gods plans?” The more closely you manage to follow the path that God intents for your life, the more you will benefit from the spiritual abundance that He offers to those who seek His will and obey His commandments. Do you have questions or concerns about the upcoming year? Take them to God in prayer. Do you have hopes and dreams for the upcoming year? Entrust your hopes and dreams in Him. Are you carefully planning for days and weeks ahead? Consult God as you establish your priorities. Turn every concern over to your Heavenly Father, and sincerely seek His guidance-prayerfully, earnestly, and often. Then, listen for His answers…and trust the answers that he gives. *One of the wonderful things about being a Christian is the knowledge the God has a plan for our lives. Warren Wiersbe *The greatest choice any man makes is to let God choose for him. Vance Havner

http://www.thepassionofthechrist.com/skip.html# Would you sacrifice it all?...He (Jesus) took

our sins with Him to that cross...all we have

to do is recognize his sacrifice and ask for

His forgiveness.

Where to turn...

When you sin...If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say "we have not sinned" we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10