A New Year

Faithful:adj 1 firm adherence to whatever one is bound to by duty or promise

syn allegiant, ardent, constant, loyal, resolute, steadfast, true...

rel dependable, reliable, trustworthy, affectionate, devoted, loving...

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If there is anything that God has been this past year, this is it. And though this definition is beautiful and I love it, I believe that the traits of God cannot be fully defined by man. When I let human definitions shape God's ways my understanding always stops short, but when I allow Him to define what He Is, there is always more. I love it.

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This past year has been amazing. I have learned so much, but through it all He constantly brings me to my knees because of how much I don't know. This year has been very much of a beginning for me. When I set out in Him, at every turn His reply was the same: "This is only the beginning; it does not stop here." Whether it be worship, prayer, communion, or anything else, "It is only the beginning; don't stop."

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As a new year begins, my thoughts are many and varied- but there is one thing that I know: God is Faithful. And I think that we need to pursue Him further, beyond human definitions, beyond human understanding, and allow Him to be more. He is ready, willing, and wanting to be to us all that He claims to be- we just need to let Him. He IS everything He claims to be, but so many times we stop short in our own finite understanding.

I love the way Eric Ludy states it:

"Don't pitch your tent"

That is exactly it; let us not pitch our tent in the wilderness or anywhere else for that matter, but let us press on the the fullness! Did you know that there is more? No, there is not more that we need to be saved---Jesus is all that we need to be saved, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."--- but you see, it is the grace that allows for more. There is more of Him; that is why we press on.

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" -Phil. 3:14

If we are going to be called upward to be with Him, why do we press on? Why don't we just sit here and wait? I mean, we are "saved" man-we don't need anything else, just sit tight and be cool. We're going to heaven!

We press on because there is more to be attained while we are here on earth; He paid the price so that His kingdom could come to earth! The mystery was of His kingdom: "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

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As this new year begins, it seems like it is going to be pretty crazy. So many things are happening around the world, Bible prophecies are being fulfilled, and to the world it only brings one thing: fear. They desperately search for security in the things we know are passing. The definition above is exactly what they so desperately want: something trustworthy, true, reliable, devoted, constant...

But we have the One who is faithful; our God is "the One who is holy, the One who is true."

Therefore, for us the future should only bring greater hope, greater joy, and greater peace... for we stand on the Rock.

"The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous;The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.The right hand of the LORD is exalted;The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.I shall not die, but live,And declare the works of the LORD."

-Psalm 118:16-17

"'Fear not, for I am with you;Be not dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you.Yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'"-Isaiah 41:10

"Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies."-Psalm 60:12

"Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage."-Psalm 84:5-6

"Truly my soul silently waits for God;from Him comes my salvation; He is my defense;I shall not be greatly moved." -Psalm 62:1-2

"Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion,Which cannot be moved, but abides forever."-Psalm 125:1

"Have you not known?"

-Isaiah 40

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Well, I could keep going on and on, but I better stop now. Oh, and I'm going to put up this week's song a day early, because it goes along with all of this wonderfully. (It is a beautiful song.)

Have a happy New Year everyone!!!