New Year's Update

     "I Am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God."     Isaiah 44: 6
Many times I come to my computer and find that it will not work like I want because there is a message on the computer that updates are being added. 
      As you finished last year and beginning a new one there are some things to be left in the last year and some that need to become a reality in the new one.    The world has been made with certain things that help us to know what we can be about in life.  The Kingdom of God is a sure Kingdom but our lives constantly experience changes that we have to come to adjust to.   Taking a few moments to put life on hold while you prepare in different ways to update your life for a New Year is a necessity with God.  
  
     Sometimes we complain that our computers are updating when we want to do something important.  As I have done in the past, I will hit skip-update in order to something that I think is more important than updating my computer but soon....  I have to update my computer because the manufacturer sends out a message to update my computer regardless to what I am doing.  This update is  so the computer will work together with other updated systems that communicate on the internet.  
       This is very much like what I see in the world today.  We need to understand the world in a new way but we try to hit the skip-update button with God the Holy Ghost.  He is gracious so, He may not rush me to update today or tomorrow.  The only problem is that He, Holy Ghost wants to update me so that I will be ready for the future happenings in my life.  The sooner I allow Him to update my mind, heart and soul, the better; but if I keep denying the opportunity for the update, I will be sitting right in the middle of the future without the update and then I wonder why life is so unfair.   

       A  person who has hit the skip-update button too many times may not be ready for the downsizing of the company he works for or the progression of her children in maturity.  Sometimes we have serious problems in life when troubles hit and we have been hitting skip-update for years.   God wants us to allow the update of the Holy Ghost to make a positive difference in our lives.   The loosing of one job to gain an advance in pay at another corporation.  The failed attempt to keep some friends because God wanted us to release the grip of a toxic relationship.  Maybe you found out about the cancer in your body that was developing when you got a surprise pregnancy and the doctor found it just before it began to develop (this was a true testimony told to me very recently).
  
        The first part of the verse refers to God as "the King of Israel, and His redeemer the LORD of Host."  This may just look like the prophet is referring to the Israel of the Bible but as he refers to the Israel of the Bible he is also referring to what the name Israel means, 'he who struggles with God.'  As people of the church we are those who struggle with God to understand what life is all about.  Those who struggle with God are those who are in covenant with Him.  We seem to struggle against God due to our sin nature but we struggle with God because we are redeemed by Him and desire to follow Him in a life that is set against the ways of God.     If we can get a grip on the fact that God loves us, we may get onto a reality that God will use the good as well as 'the bad' events to springboard us to something better.
  
      I was reminded by a mentor of the verse in Romans 12 that informs us, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will."  
  That sounded like a warning to make sure that we receive the updates that God sends.  The updates will help us to give glory to the perfect will and purpose of God in our lives.  

      Some people do not understand how people of faith can be so calm in a situation of chaos or be able to cope with danger with a response of courage.  God can and will supply whatever the believer needs in order to face the challenge especially when that believer has been open to the update from the Lord beforehand.   This thought causes me to ask you 3 questions...

   1- From last year to this year, have you evaluated the things that you need to let go of and the things that you need to take up to honor the presence of God in your life. 

    2- Have you taken some time of reflection in order for God to update you on life itself so that you will be ready for the challenges of the new year?  "I Am The First and The Last"  

    3- Have you made the effort to understand what the Lord would have you focus on through certain means like, Bible study, Prayer, or even reconnecting with prayer partners who can support you in following God's will for your life?
    
     These are very important spiritual disciplines that will assist us in receiving the update from God so that our minds will be renewed and ready to display the glory of God in our lives.  
    Allow for the update and then, watch the loving Creator, Redeemer and Wonderful Father work miracles into the fabric of your story.  
     Allow for the update.