Turn the Page Part 4

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:12-14

As with any new year, we have new opportunities.  The New Year is a great time to turn the page on stuff you’d like to get going on and accomplish in the next year.  It’s also a great time to turn the page on some things you should put behind you.  Today we continue with the things we should turn the page on for the coming year. 

First…Turn the page on a lukewarm relationship with Christ.
Second…Turn the page on un-forgiveness.
Third…Turn the page on THAT sin.

Fourth…Turn the page on that destructive behavior.

Turn the page on handling God’s money your way.  Of everything I’m going to say, this is the one that will probably get under people’s skin the most.  Money is one of those areas that people cling to the hardest.  Did you know that Jesus talks more about money in Scripture than He does about heaven and hell? Why do you think that is?

I think it’s because He knew how tightly we want to hang onto it.  But let me point out something very quickly: it’s not your money to begin with.  Everything you have in terms of money or the ability to earn it is a gift from God.  It’s His, and if we’ll listen to what He says about how to handle it, it’ll go farther, and we’ll have more peace about it, whether we have a little or a lot.

You don’t have to take my word for it, but at least take God’s word for it. He’s not a liar, and He knows what He’s talking about.

And lastly…Turn the page on mediocrity.
Mediocrity is the default position of life.  Anybody can be mediocre, and most people are, especially when it comes to living for Christ and serving Him.  Excellence, on the other hand, is rarely achieved without intentional effort.  I’m not saying perfection, I’m saying excellence. Excellence is stepping up to a whole new level.

So let me suggest that you step it up in your…

·      Relationship with others – especially your family.

·      Work.  Jesus is our model for this. Look at Mark 7:37 – People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said.  When we work toward excellence, we reflect the work of Christ.

Zig Ziglar said that “a rut is just a grave with the ends kicked out.”  I want to encourage you to get out of the rut you may be in.  Together we can show people around us that we always want to turn the page on the past, and strain toward what is ahead in our service for Christ.

Don’t let this year be the same ol’ same ol’ you’ve done all the past years.  Make this year the best year yet in your walk with Christ and your service for Him.

Scripture to Claim:
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.  James 1:22