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Friday, 30 December 2011
Volatile and Unpredictable
 I don't know about you, but as I look back over 2011, MANY things happened in both my personal life and my public life that I could NEVER have anticipated, some of which were extremely stressful and extremely hurtful and disappointing; some that were just wonderful and joyful. So...since life is so volatile and very unpredictable, what is the ONE thing that IS predictable and unchanging? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 That assurance brings great comfort. On the local, state, national and international geo-political front, we are facing a tsunami -- multiple issues coming at us from all sides, wave after wave. If WE don't confront these challenges, who will? "If not You, who? If not Now, when?" Because this is a presidential election year, the outcome of which, could NOT BE more important, we have an extraordinary responsibility to be faithful. So, as we consider the future squarely facing the risks and the needs, let us be grounded in the foundational and unchanging Word of God: Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically,as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3: 23-24 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire. 1 Corinthians 3: 13-15. When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Because He Live, I Can Face Tomorrow If you do Resolutions, can't think of any better than the ones below. It is my prayer that 2012 will find us active and faithful to the tasks before us. My wish for each of us is the New Year will be one in which: "May nothing render me forgetful of Thy glory, or turn me aside from Thy commands, or shake my confidence in Thy promises, or offend Thy children. Let not my temporal occupations injure my spiritual concerns, or the cares of life make me neglect the one thing needful. May I not be inattentive to the design of Thy dealings with me, or insensible under Thy rebukes, or immobile at Thy calls. May I learn the holy art of abiding in Thee, of being in the world and not of it, or making everything not only consistent with but conducive to my religion" My very best wishes for your New Year. Bobbie PSALMIST RESOLUTIONS 1. Psalm 119 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.  31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD ; 2. Psalm 119 36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word 3. Psalm 119 46 I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame, 47 for I delight in your commands because I love them. 48 I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees. 4. Psalm 119 63 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. 64 The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees. 5. Psalm 119 75 I know, O LORD , that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76 May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. 77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. 78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. 6. Psalm 119 114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. 7. Psalm 119 128 and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path. 8. Psalm 119 173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Most Christians have an abundance of material blessings to count at the end of the year for which to thank the Lord. Even if they have none of these, however, God has crowned the year with goodness and favor, with lovingkindness and tender mercies, with grace and glory and honor and, best of all His own presence. Posted on 12/30/2011 8:51 AM by Bobbie Patray
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