I've Come Too Far

          This is the day that the Lord has made . . . I will rejoice and be glad in it. Whatever this day brings, or this year, I intend to rejoice in the goodness and blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is good whether He is good to me or not. Goodness is just one of the inherit traits of God. I have lived long enough to learn, that whatever comes my way must come through my Father's filter. Everything that comes my way is either sent by God, or allowed by Him, but it IS of God. Nothing takes God by surprise. Has it ever dawned on you that nothing has ever dawned upon God? I do not know what is coming my way in 2010, but I can face it with confidence and joy, knowing that my God's grace will be sufficient. He will see me through. 

     I have many things I need to resolve to do in the coming year, but like most folks, may give up or completely fail at most of them. But I am determined on a few things. I don't intend to change what I believe. I have made it a long way, trusting in God. He has never failed me or let me down. I may be mocked and ridiculed for being old-fashioned, or even simple. But I have an old Bible that I believe is the eternally-settled and infallible Word of the Living God. It changed my life a long time ago. I am not, nor have I been perfect, but I am not the person I was before God changed my life, through grace and faith in His beloved Son. But one day I will be like Him. I think I need to paste in a verse at this point that gives me hope and joy. It is from 1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." I do not intend to change what I believe about Jesus, my Savior!

     I will close with this illustration that I heard many years ago. It was during a time when most Southern Baptists were stirred up over some practices and policies that the Disney folks were embracing. There was a major boycott in place among many conservative Christians. At the time, Dr. Adrian Rogers was President of the Southern Baptist Convention. One day while being interviewed, live, with T.V. cameras in tight, he was asked this question, "Dr. Rogers, do you think that Southern Baptists will be able to change Disney?" With confidence, yet kindness, Dr. Rogers smiled and replied, "Well, I don't know if we'll be able to change Disney or not, but we've got to make sure that Disney doesn't change us."

     I want the world to know, that I may not be able to make much of a difference as I pass through this world. I may not change much, but I am certain that this world and its beliefs will not change me. It doesn't matter anyone does or says, I've come too far to change or compromise now. I am probably a lot closer to the finish line than I know, and I want to finish well, and hear my God say one day, "enter into the joys of the Lord."

     I hope all that read this will have a wonderful, prosperous and blessed new year. Jesus is Lord, bless His holy name. Until then, I'll carry on!         Randall Creel