SPORTSMAN ’ S MEDITATION
New Year ? New You ? By Pastor Jim Sinclair
2016 is gone and 2017 is here . It ’ s that time when the proverbial “ New Years Resolutions ” are made and we start pondering some life changes . I took a minute and searched the top ten “ New Year Resolutions ”... starting with number 10 . 10 . Spend more time with family and friends 9 . Reduce alcohol consumption 8 . Find a new job 7 . Read more 6 . Stop smoking 5 . Learn a new hobby or skill 4 . Save more and spend less 3 . Lose weight 2 . Exercise more # 1 – Eat healthier or diet
Pastor Jim Sinclair
Considering any of these seems like it would be a step in the right direction ….. even though they are all about us . We might as well admit that we love ourselves . We go to great lengths to provide ourselves with the things that we need . We eat so that we don ’ t starve , drink so that we do not die of thirst , go to the doctor when things are wrong with us , we make sure that we are taken care of . There is nothing wrong with loving ourselves we should look out for Number 1 . Maybe this year we could consider adding a new resolution , that Jesus taught in , Matthew 22:37
Jesus said unto him , Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart , and with all thy soul , and with all thy mind . 38 This is the first and great commandment . 39 And the second is like unto it , Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself . 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets .
In contrast to the “ Top Ten ” maybe a new “ Resolution ” could be entertained .. Love God More and your neighbor as yourself .
This story illustrates my point ,
In sixteenth century England , Oliver Cromwell ordered that a soldier be shot for his crimes at the ringing of the evening bell . But that night at the fateful hour , no sound came from the belfry . The girl who was to be married to the condemned man had climbed up into the tower and had clung to the great clapper of the bell to prevent it from striking .
Brought before Cromwell to give an account of her actions , she only wept and showed him her bruised and bleeding hands . Cromwell was greatly impressed , and he said , " Your lover is alive because of your sacrifice . He will not be shot !”
Jesus lived this out for us , in John 15:13 13 Greater love has no one than this : to lay down one ’ s life for one ’ s friends .
This love manifests itself when we demonstrate , forgiveness , peace , unity , and compassion to others just to name a few .
So this New Year I leave you with a truth that would be well to remember . LOVE IS JUST A WORD , UNTIL YOU GIVE IT MEANING !
New Year , New direction , New You ? Keep livin the life . Pastor Jim
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