The New Year

The New Year

We Americans have developed an infatuation with New Year’s Day. I think I understand why. For many, life is a disappointment that becomes more emphatic as time passes. A new year reminds them that another year has passed and nothing has changed. However, just as the wrapped packages on Christmas morning brings excitement and joy of possibilities imagined, New Year’s Day presents hope that something better is in store; something new and exciting.

I, too, reflect on the past year to measure accomplishments. I also look to the new year with anticipation to events planned and dreams to be pursued. I have also come to realize that life is a process, not an event. Each day is important, not years. So for me, New Year’s Day is like the rest, a day to be enjoyed, to be maximized, to be lived.

This day reminds me of one a favorite passage of scripture that has blessed me for a long time. It’s found in Exodus 12:2. As Moses and Aaron led the nation of Israel out of Egyptian captivity, that had transformed a vibrant nation into slave labor for the pharaoh, the Lord spoke a powerful word to them. He said, “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. (KJV)” God told them to put the past behind you. Today is beginning of time in your life! You are no longer slaves to Egypt or the memories you have of that lifestyle. A new thing has begun: the life that God has chosen for you!

The reality is this: through Christ, any day can be a spiritual New Year’s Day for you! Once you have experienced THAT day, the rest are to be used in fulfilling the mission given to us by our Heavenly Father. Many equate being born again to the day I’m describing. That is a fitting analogy. However, THAT day may actually come after you have become a Christian. One minister I heard refer to someone after this experience as “being saved saved!”

You see, the nation of Israel was already God’s chosen people. He spoke that over them generations before this experience. The day referred to in Exodus 12 was the beginning of a journey that would bring Israel into the realization of their destiny.

I have chosen a “theme” for 2013: Seeing the Unseen in 2013! In Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) the Lord declares, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” I believe that is still His desire today; not just on New Year’s Day, but any day that we are willing to hear this word and allow it to penetrate the spiritual din generated by our environment. THAT day can occur ANY day that we finally hear the Lord speak to our hearts the truth concerning our place in His Kingdom.

In the grand scheme of things New Year’s Day is just another day. My prayer for you in 2013 is that you experience THAT day, which if truly embraced, will change your life forever.

Lost!

LOST!

One of the most enjoyable parts of my job (actually this is not part of my job at all) is sharing a brief word of encouragement prior to taking Communion. This is one such word.

First shared on November 15, 2009.

Have you ever been LOST? Truly LOST? When you become aware of the fact that you have no idea where you are, you must first admit that you are LOST.

One self-help organization developed a method of therapy whereby people admit they have a problem every time they meet. Then, through a process of will are given a path to recovery. Without recognition of a Power greater than human will, there is still little hope of lasting change.

Can you imagine gathering with a group of people only to talk about the fact that they are LOST, each person describing for the other how LOST they are? No, you want to find someone that knows The Way, and can help you find The Way out of your LOST condition.

If you are dropped into a maze, you can spend the rest of your life trying to get out. Since you have no idea where you are, it is impossible to know exactly where you need to go to get out. However, you can traverse ANY maze if you know where you started.

The same is true in our lives. When we come to the realization that we are LOST, without Christ in our heart, it is like waking up in a maze. Crying out to Father for mercy, repenting of our sin, and confessing Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, Father lifts us up out of our LOST condition and places us at the beginning of a new life with Him. Once you have a known point of reference, you can venture out and back without fear of becoming LOST because you know the way home.

Communion with God (prayer) and communion with the Body of Christ (Church) keep us in touch with home (Heaven). The bread and the wine is God’s GPS to keep us on the course He has set for us. Not just a cracker and juice, but discerning the Lord’s Body and Blood. Remembering how great a Salvation was provided for us through Jesus’ crucifixion, death, burial, being raised from the dead, ascending to heaven, and seated at the right hand of Father, where He now intercedes for you and I; that is discerning the Lord’s blood. And the Body of Christ, fellow believers, relating to them as family with love and respect and kindness; that is discerning the Lord’s body.

When traveling by plane, have you ever noticed the numbers printed on the runways? Have you ever wondered what the numbers meant? They represent the compass point for the direction of the runway. Before an airplane pilot takes off, he resets his compass to the coordinates printed on the runway. He then knows his place in the world and ensures his safe arrival at his destination. This cup and wafer is like the “resync” button on our compass. Jesus said “as often as you do, do it in remembrance of Me.”

Introduction and Ground Rules

Greetings! I am Dudley Harris: a Christian, a husband, a father, a friend, and a worshipper of God.

I'm glad you found my little corner of the internet. On this blog I will post whatever seems to come to mind, but will avoid all things political. I hope you come often, as I plan to post things on a regular basis.

The name of the blog is derived from the Greek word, kurios, which means supreme. In scripture this refers to the Lord, God, or Christ. I am a Christian. However, I hope you read these posts even if you are not. Reflections simply means the thoughts that I have concerning God and the communion that I have with Him.

I welcome your response. I reserve the right to remove anything inappropriate. By my definition, that would mean anything unrelated to the topic, vulgar, or obscene. I will not delete comments simply because you disagree. However, I do ask that you explain your disagreement with a thoughtful response. Please keep your comments to the blog itself, not other comments that are made. This is not a chat room.

With those ground rules I will commence and see where this path leads. I hope to share things you may not have considered, and by your comments, hopefully learn some things that I have not considered.

Blessings!

Dudley