BLAIRGOWRIE

As I write this we are almost into another New Year. Can you believe it? Another year has gone by. Where does the time go?

A lot of folks will begin the New Year with making some resolutions. For some, those resolutions may actually produce real change – if, of course, they stick with it. That’s always the hard part.

I’ve never been big on New Year resolutions, but starting a New Year is a great opportunity to ask ourselves if there are changes we need to make in our walk with the Lord. I believe it was A.W. Tozer who said, “We are as close to God right now, as we want to be.” The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:5a, “Examine yourself as to whether you are in the faith.”

It’s a good thing to stop every once in a while, and take a personal inventory.  “Am I where I want to be with God?” “Have I reached my potential in Him?” “Have I discovered my divine destiny?” Personally, I have to answer ”No” to most of those questions.  “How can I glorify Him more in this coming year?”  I definitely want to be closer to Him this time next year than I am right now. 

So, I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of the daily disciplines of our faith. They can produce lasting change and upward growth more than anything else we do. We all know how important the Word, worship, prayer, fellowship, and serving are in moving us closer to God. Yet, as much as we may know it – like most New Year resolutions – the hard part is doing it. 

Take prayer, for instance… I often feel overwhelmed with its vastness. We need to be praying for our families, neighbours, friends, our country, our leaders, our church, persecuted believers, and the list goes on and on. So, where do we begin?  George Mueller was asked shortly before he died if he had anything to say to the Church. Here is his answer: “Learn to persist in prayer.”

Keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking until you receive. So, I want to challenge you to commit some time every day to ask, seek, and knock. You might be surprised at what happens! 

Spending regular time in the Word of God is a must for every believer. Jesus said it best, “Man does not live by bread alone, but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matt 4:4)

Reading, studying, and mediating in the Word of God will feed and satisfy your soul. Again, the challenge we all face is doing it daily. I want to recommend finding a reading plan that works for you. Why not pick up a copy of the Bible Reading notes in the Church?

Praise and worship are amazing spiritual disciplines – and are the keys to victory. “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” (Westminster Shorter Catechism) Satan hates it when we praise and worship our God – from the heart!  I’m reminded of a song by the Imperials that was popular back in the eighties, entitled, “Praise the Lord.” Check out the lyrics… “Praise the Lord, He can work through those who praise Him. Praise the Lord, for our God inhabits praise. Praise the Lord, for the chains that seem to bind you, serve only to remind you, that they drop powerless behind you, when you praise Him.” Those words are powerful and  true. Let’s learn to make praise and worship a daily part of our lives, too. 

Serving is vital to our spiritual growth. Jesus told us to give, and it will be given to us. (Luke 6:38) When we take the initiative to give of our time, money, and energy, it will open the flood gates of heaven for God to pour back into our lives. It makes sense; we must give and serve to make room for more. Otherwise, we tend to become spiritually fat and lazy! Ask the Lord, “How can I serve You more?” He’ll show you.

And, last but not least: Fellowship. This maybe more important than we realize. The Bible says we need to edify, exhort, and encourage one another. We all need encouragement, edification, and to be exhorted, at times. However, the Bible warns us that in the Last Days many will forsake gathering together. (Hebrews 10:24-25). That is such a dangerous thing! Satan knows that if he can scatter the sheep, they will become vulnerable to every form of temptation and deception known to man. Please don’t forsake joining together with other believers in the Lord. True fellowship happens when we come together with Jesus. (Matthew 18:20)

I want to encourage each of us, myself included , to pause and examine our walk with God, as we head into the New Year. Over the years, I have come to realize how important our daily walk with God really is.   We have all been given the same 24 hours in each day – now it’s up to us to use them. 

May God bless each of you richly in 2025. Brian.