Two-Faced

January is traditionally the time to take a look at where we've been and where we're going. The month, is supposed to be named after Janus, the Roman god with two faces looking in opposite directions—-one toward the past, one toward the future.
This is a good time to look at where we've come and which direction we're heading. The beginning of a new year is also the time to make resolutions. The word "resolution" also has two connotations-—one points to the past and the resolving of old problems, the other looks to the future with new resolve to improve some aspect of life.

Personally: This has been especially true for me this year. I have looked back at the last year or more. I have rejoiced and regretted a lot. I have examined where I thought that I should be by now and compared it with where I am.

I have looked at my few victories and my many sins. I have looked at last years personal goals and how little I have actually completed.

I have looked forward and asked myself what I should be doing. Questions about the ministry, my life, my family, my walk with God, I have given up and began again. Cried some, doubted some, questioned a lot, and prayed not enough…I have looked at those that have hurt me and asked myself if I want to trust again.

I have gone through the crisis of being human.

I know that for some of you this is a shock. Our Pastor is not as spiritual as I thought. He is losing it. If he would only trust the Lord he would not experience these things. All I can say is that you are WRONG!

If we really want to go forward we have to examine who we are and where we have been and where we are going. It seems like we are in a race to keep up with the changes.

We were looking at pictures last night. Change comes so quickly that we don’t have the time to remember. Marriage, children, grandchildren, etc.

Is there anything that doesn’t change?

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV)

We are standing on the pivot point of the past and the future called the present! Many take a look at their lives at this time of the year.

Jesus is the God of our Yesterdays.

Some can look back at the last year with joy and others with regrets. Accomplishments, sins, disappointments, missed goals and opportunities. Some may find themselves moving forward and others that they have taken steps backwards. What must we do? Make Jesus the Lord of our Past! We can learn from the mistakes and victories on go on with our lives trusting him even more.

The definition for insanity: when someone continues to do the same thing that failed before always expecting a different result.
If we examine where we have been and realize that without him we can do nothing, then we have learned something.

Jesus is the Lord of out Tomorrows! What is in front of us? Will it be more of the same? Do we have anything to do with what is ahead of us? Can we know what is coming? Will God show us?

Prov 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.(NIV)

Prov 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (NIV)

Col 2:2-3 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Col 3:2-3 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
What does the future hold? If it’s not Jesus it’s not your future. It is possible to gain the whole world and lose our souls.

Jesus is the Lord of Today

James 4:13-17

13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. (NIV)

These verses are talking about making our plans outside of Jesus. This idea only bothers those that have not really submitted their lives to him.

Yesterday was a tomorrow before it was a today.

We have ignored the importance of today. We have been painting our future with the colors of yesterday. Negative and positive colors, but we need today colors. Jesus has it all for us today. My choice today will be tomorrows yesterday. Past and gone, I will not be able to get it back.

Each day is a beginning point for the rest of our lives.
Yesterday shows us our tendencies and choices that we have been making
Tomorrow shows us who we have submitted our dreams and lives to. Who we hope in.
Today will really determine if we will ever become all that God has called us to be.

Heb 3:13-15

13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 15 As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." (NIV)

Without him I can do NOTHING! Is that true? We must understand heaven’s definition of nothing.

1Cor.13:1-13 this person did a lot. But in the end he did nothing. Gain the world and lose our souls?

John 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (NIV)

Let’s not only start a New Year, let’s start a new life. Come to Christ. Find out what he is saying

Prayer

Past: The things that we have brought with us from the past. i.e. sickness, sin, memories that hinder, hurts…

Future: The coming year, for his glory to be revealed in you…

Present: Surrender to him and his plan for your lives.