“As you live this new life, we pray that you will be strengthened from God’s boundless resources, so that you will find yourselves able to pass through an experience and endure it with joy.”
Colossians 1:11
 
“You won’t start winning without a beginning.”
 
Championship football programs—at any level—do not spring up overnight. College-level coaches begin their recruiting season immediately upon the completion of a current season, if not sooner. Winning teams build on seasons past by recruiting top prospects for vacancies they anticipate due to the completion of their current players’ eligibility. Failing to begin the recruiting process in a timely manner will negatively affect the quality of teams in the years ahead. Coaches of this year’s teams have already begun contacting prospects for next year’s team, and for every year that follows. Championships are not just about “endings.” They are also about “beginnings.”
 
Spiritual development is very much like that. The Christian life is a process. It has a beginning, and like all growing things, it has an ending. But the ending does not culminate in a bowl game. The Apostle Paul saw his life coming to an end. In his second letter to Timothy, he said, “The time of my death is near…And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
 
To qualify for the Prize requires that the process begin. That time is now. A new year awaits. We have at our disposal “God’s boundless resources” that will make it possible for us to pass through any and all experiences that lie ahead of us, and endure them “with joy.”
 
Heavenly Father, at the beginning of a new year, I want to express to you my praise for your leadership in my life over the past twelve months. I can’t begin to thank you for the countless times you have closed doors and opened others for me to enter. Just at the right time. I thank you for sharing your boundless resources with me, and for giving me the endurance to pass through the hard times with joy. But a new year is before me. I pray that you will accept my praises for past victories and equip me adequately for the battles that are ahead. I am ready to begin the journey now. Amen.
 

As the New Year of 2008 opens, live your life everyday for Jesus Christ. Work for the Eternal Prize that awaits every faithful believer. At the Judgement Seat of Christ you will be rewarded for your faithful service in your earthly life. Jesus is returning very soon to carry away to heaven all Christian believers, and then His Tribulation Judgements as described in the Book of Revelation will begin. Begin today to make Jesus Christ the center of your life !!!
 
 

have a blessed day,    Gary