Entering 2021 Right!

Philippians 3:12–14 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

I have been very blessed by God to live a life full of travel. Being a lover of history, this has been an extra-special part of my life. I have been to Tombstone several times and it has always captured my imagination. At the famous cemetery, Boothill, there is a grave marker: Here Lies Lester Moore, Four Slugs From A 44, NO LES, NO MORE! There is debate if Lester Moore ever existed, but the story is that he gave a damaged package to a man, the man became enraged and killed him with 4 shots from his 44-caliber pistol. 

My thoughts were captured by this…not whether it is true or not, the history of the West has many stories like this that did take place. What took control of my mind were the thoughts of a young man with thousands of hopes for his future and what that would bring, now gone!   

As this year ended I began to challenge all of us to examine our mindset because how we think determines how we live. To review, here are the devotions I shared:

What can you do when everything feels out of control?
Who’s Point Of View Is Right?
Enemies from Without and Within…What can I do?
Keeping what is Important…Important!
Is Your “Want” what you want…or Are “You” what your Want wants?

None of us are guaranteed 2022. 2021 is all we have, how we think will determine how we handle this year.  

We looked at the struggle our old nature (flesh) has with the nature God created in us (spirit) when we became a child.

I want to share two last thoughts on this topic. First, as you begin this year it is important to recognize, identify, and understand what are the paths sin uses to influence your flesh to take control. Sin uses our appetites as the doorway in; both evil appetites and good ones, which sin will endeavor to move to the extremes. For example – food; it's great to enjoy and consume to stay alive, but we can allow food to dominate us, either by consuming too much (gluttony) or avoid it, brought on by an unhealthy vanity. (Anorexia) 

The path is different for everyone, but still must be discovered and brought into the light of the Holy Spirit. Consider a rich young man that desired to know how to possess eternal life. When Jesus told him, he could not deal with it. 

Mark 10:17–22:...Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done...sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor...then come, follow me.” At this, the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

In reality, he did not have "many possessions"...those "possessions" HAD him! Jesus simply stated that he needed to change the gods in his life. Give up the god of appetite for God! 

The So What: Have you taken the time as you enter 2021 to ask God to examine your appetites? Are there ones that would harm your relationship with God? Are there appetites that need the Holy Spirit's control, not your "self" control? Remember, there is no "little" sin - Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. Will you surrender 2021 right now, at the beginning of this year, to God's control? If so, just tell God and thank Him! 

Next time we will look at - How to receive what you desire from God.