The Bread Box                      A Fresh Start                          January 2004

As we enter 2004, let us reflect on this past year. As we look back, meditate on the goodness of God. Even though we may have had our setbacks in 2003; God in His grace was there to enable us to move forward. You see; in the Kingdom of God, there are always new beginnings in Christ. God will always give us the opportunity to begin new when we allow Him to be LORD in our lives. Embrace the New Year with a sense of hope found in Jesus Christ. In this coming year let us make a commitment to allow Jesus to be the host in our hearts and not just an honored guest. As we allow this to happen look for the hope that will rise up in your heart. A lively hope that looks forward to a new and prosperous new year!
 

But to be able to allow this, we must take hold on the truths in the word of God.

Phil 3:12
12  Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
13  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,
14  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. NAS
 

God desires us to keep reaching forward regardless of what is trying to keep us from moving forward. Keep reaching like the runner reaching for the finish line. You may have had great victories yesterday, but God has even greater ones waiting for you. Perhaps there were setbacks in your life, but know that in Jesus there are no second place finishes. You see; it is level at the foot of the Cross and in Him you will always finish first. Don't let the circumstances of life keep you living in past failures. Learn from the past, but look to the future. Aim to achieve the goal God has set for you. As you choose to let go of yesterday and reach for tomorrow God will release His grace and peace into your life.

In this New Year, spare no effort in your pressing toward the mark of knowing Christ. Make knowing Jesus Christ your main goal in life. Let’s not make resolutions that we will probably break anyway, but let us make commitments to reach for the upward call in Christ! Will you pray with me...Father in Jesus Name I choose today to release the past and I make a commitment to press forward in Jesus Name! I choose to reach toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus. I choose not to allow my past failures to hold me captive, but I thank you Father that your mercies are new this day. I thank you that in Jesus Name I have been set free and free to live for you and you alone. Let your Kingdom come and let your will be done in my life in 2004! Amen!

Pastor Cesar

God bless you!!

To the "Bread Box" Menu