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About-Him.Com Devotional 12-28-2013
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Greetings to all. Well, another year has passed and we are either one year closer to meeting our Lord Jesus, either by the way of the grave or His return for His saints. Either way, we can be assured that we are going to meet Him. Jesus said that we would be hated of all men for His name's sake.    

Matthew 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
 

Some things to consider: Things are rapidly changing. The day may not be afar off when we will have to make a definite declaration of faith in the name of Jesus, or deny Him.  

Persecution: We don't experience it so much in the western world, but for Christians in Moslem countries, it is another matter. These folks may not be of my persuasion, but they are being slaughtered for confessing the name of Jesus, none the less. Things are rapidly changing in the western word, and then we might play closer attention. Politically correct speech: In an effort to not offend non-Christians, the mention of God and the name of Jesus are being frowned upon by our government, even to the point of removing the title of Christ from Christmas. The song, "There's Something About That Name," rings truer than ever. It makes some weep in adoration and other bristle in hate.  

Man's Law over God's Law: Our countrie's laws and constitution were framed around The Ten Commandments and the Word of God. This standare ins constantly under attack.  The latest example is that governments are ignoring the bible standard of marriage as being between a man and a woman and embracing same sex marriage.  

Computer Tracking. Did you ever wonder how the anti-christ could keep track of every individual? I would say that the tools are certainly being put in place to make it possible. Our emails are being logged and our movements can be tracked by our cell phones. The photos that we post online are scanned and catalogued.  

Please Don't Get Your Theology From the Media: I like to watch the History Channel most of the time. When they decide to interpret the bible, it's time to change the channel. Invariably, they'll have so called experts who constantly challenge the authority of God's word. I saw one of the experts on Fox News saying that Luke didn't write the book of Luke and that Matthew didn't write Matthew. I wonder how many people are mislead by such a thing?  

An Old Message For a New Year
    Philippians 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.    

Happy New Year! One thing is obvious to me. Another year has passed and we are another year closer to eternity. Like  the apostle Paul, I haven't yet "apprehended;" i.e. I haven't gotten a hold of that which has gotten a hold of me. I am still here in this body of carnality, but I am still in the race. I have One who has run the race before me and plotted out the way. If I look to Him, I cannot fail.      

Of course this is the traditional time for resolutions. Hopefully we examine ourselves (1 Co. 11:28; 2 Cor. 13:5; Ga. 6:4) on a daily basis, rather that as an empty annual ritual.    

Paul said that he would forget those things which had passed and look to the future. I will forget passed failure as I lay aside the weights and sins that beset me. The blood of Jesus still avails to cover my sin (1 Jo. 1:7). God looks at me through the blood of Jesus and finds me perfect and complete in Him (Co. 2:10). I am seated in heavenly places with Him (Ep. 2:6). Knowing myself, that is  hard to comprehend, but that is a fact. I remember an old brother who has since passed on: He would often say, "Watch yourself, you know how you are."  Humorous, but pretty good advice, none the less.    

I will also forget passed blessings and achievements. While very appreciative, I can't live on yesterday's manna (Ex. 16:20). I need fresh oil from the throne of God, today (Ps. 92:10).    

I will forget passed hurts and snubs from friends: Dwelling on perceived or real hurts and slights does nothing but sap my strength and my joy. I will do my best to amend any bad situation, but having failed that, I still have a race to run. I will quit wasting energy on things that I can't do anything about and concentrate on the One who holds all power of heaven and earth upholds all things by the word of His power (Mt. 28:19; He. 1:3). I will press towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Php. 3:14).    

I will continue to look for the coming of Jesus. This is my "blessed hope" (Ti. 2:13). I have treasure laid up in heaven (Mt. 6:19) that I can't begin to comprehend (Is. 64:4; Co. 1:5; Heb. 11:16). I desire to be found blameless in Him when that day occurs (2 Pe. 3:14), knowing that I will be rewarded according to my works (Mt. 16:27).    

While I am waiting for eternity, I have a job to do in the here and now. I must walk in a godly manner before the people of the world (Co. 4:5; 1 Th. 4:12;  Ja. 3:13).    

God has given me a few short days to walk on this earth and I must not waste them. I must redeem the time (Co. 4:5) as I labor for His kingdom.    

Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.    

God bless each and everyone in this coming year. May we all be pressing forward together, towards that high calling of God in Christ Jesus. \

Somebody Has Said

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28).  - Jesus Christ



Keep Looking Up!

Don and Marie Spooner
About Him! Ministries

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Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries         Somebody Has Said And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28).  - Jesus Christ

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