God is pursuing you right now...will you pursue God in 2009?

I don’t know about you, but I’m glad 2008 is over. But, not entirely for the reasons you might imagine.

Sure, 2008 ended on a tough note with unemployment surging, a federal bail out of big business taking place and world peace remaining elusive. On the other hand, I reached several milestones during the past year including welcoming my 50th birthday in September, ten years of marriage to my sweet wife, and seeing my business pick up beginning in June.

I’m glad that 2008 is over for one big reason: 2009 is here and it is another year for me to serve the Lord!

Yes, we can worry about the economy, getting older, or a host of other issues but what it all boils down to is that we have the opportunity to pursue God again this year. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow, but it certainly is nice when the calendar flips over and we’re still around to serve Him.

But, what if you haven’t been following God? Is it too late for you? No, it certainly isn’t. In fact if you previously followed the Lord and have slipped away or if you desire to follow God for the first time now, 2009 can certainly be the year you give God first place in your life.

Make no mistake about it: I’m not here to convince anyone to follow God. The Holy Spirit is the One who convicts people of their sins and He is the One who draws people to the Lord. I’m not here to argue whether there is a God or not although the heavens declare His glory. Rather, I believe my role is to encourage those who are already on their Jesus Journey to stay on the path while welcoming those who are just starting out or are seeking answers.

To that end, I’ve come up with seven steps to help you draw closer to God in 2009. I’ve prayerfully considered the most important points and am relaying to you what I believe God has revealed to me:

Repent – If you’ve slipped away from the Lord or are seeking to be in right relationship with God in the first place, the step you need to take initially is to repent of your sins. We’ve all sinned and we all fall short (Romans 3:23), therefore we need to recognize our sins, repent of our waywardness and ask God to forgive us and give us the strength to serve Him.

Prayer – Consider prayer to be your personal conversations with God. Sure, it’ll be a one way conversation as far as hearing an audible voice but you’ll “hear” what He has to say to you when you read His word, the Bible, and through circumstances in your life. Get in the habit of talking to God early and often (1 Thessalonians 5:17)… take time throughout the day to share your praise, petitions, and prayers with Him. Get near to God and He’ll get near to you.

Fellowship – Oddly, there is a tendency for some to think that they don’t need a church (Hebrews 10:25). Or, they’ve been burned by a church in the past and vow never to have that happen to them again. I understand those feelings – I’ve been there, I’ve felt it. But, God has His people out there and we aren’t to forsake the gathering together of the saints. Find a place that teaches the entire counsel of God while building up believers. The church needs you as much as you need the church.

Bible – Find yourself a Bible, preferably one in common every day language you understand. No, I’m not going to recommend the King James Version (KJV) for the simple reason that the language of this version is no longer spoken (although it remains a beautiful, God inspired literary masterpiece). Instead, consider the New King James (NKJV), New International Version (NIV), New American Standard Bible (NASB) or some modern English translation if it makes it easier for you to understand. Ask other Christians what they read; consider purchasing a parallel Bible which lists several different versions side by side. The more that you acquaint yourself with God’s word, the better you’ll be acquainted with Him (see 2 Timothy 3:16).

Accountability – It is easy to get lost in a church these days, particularly in larger fellowships. That is one reason why I belong to a weekly men’s group and try to take in other activities where I am able to get to know people and they get to know me (see Matthew 16:27). Followers of Jesus Christ are collectively known as the Body of Christ – the finger needs the toe as does the nose the chin, the elbow, etc. Don’t worry about being imperfect – everyone else who attends church is just as imperfect as you including the pastor! Avoid any church that is legalistic and flee those fellowships where your thoughts and feelings are dismissed.

Worship – In Psalm 22:3 we’re told that, “God inhabits the praises of His people.” This means that He is present in Spirit as we praise Him. There is something about worship that helps us focus our eyes on what is important in this life. When we worship God for who He is, the cares and troubles of this life are seen through a godly perspective. You can’t sing? Don’t worry: Psalm 100 instructs us to make a joyful noise to the Lord. Even off-pitch Christians should praise God!

Give – There isn’t anything you can do to earn what God has done for you – embrace grace and you’ll understand. However, God will lead you to give something of yourself either through money, your time, or some other work and often in many different ways. These things cannot save you or change your position with God (He loves you just the same), but they are acts of worship which please Him and can make a difference in the lives of others. Always give willingly because that is the only gift worth giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Certainly, there are other points to consider besides these seven, but I wanted to keep this as simple as possible. Don’t let 2009 end without you making a commitment to God, a life changing transition that will also change your eternal destination!

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance — 2 Peter 3.9 (NKJV)

Calling Good Bad And Bad Good

The days in which we are living can seem surreal as good is called bad and bad is called good, making it difficult, almost impossible for people to stand upon the truth without being constantly challenged with the following statements:

• There are many paths to God.
• Why shouldn’t two loving people of the same gender marry?
• Mankind evolved from apes and we’re still evolving.
• It is my body and I can do what I want with it.
• There are no absolutes.
• Sin is only doing something that is wrong for you.
• Where is God? Nothing ever changes, He is a figment of your imagination, you are stupid….

Godly parents, seeking to raise their children on a strong foundation know that general society offers no support. A few generations ago only a few kooky fringe types would dare challenge Judeo-Christian principles, but today those challenges are accepted as normal — even widely embraced!

For some reason I’ve been hearing the last (bulleted) point a lot lately — where is God? Not from Christians (though we wait for His return) but from scoffers who attack moral absolutes.

Where Is God?

In 2 Peter 3:4 the apostle Peter addressed this very subject, taking into consideration the following question that unbelievers are asking:

“Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

Peter answered that question by first stating the underlying point: they are willingly forgetting. He goes on to say that God’s earlier judgment (via water during the time of Noah) has already been executed while a latter judgment (via fire at the end of the age) is still in reserve. We’re living in the time between two judgments, but we’re to be mindful of the first one as it assuredly points to the one yet to come.

Much More Patient Than Us

In my younger days I sometimes found myself being impatient, urging God to bring His judgment upon this world (right now!) so that we could live in perfect peace with Him. Certainly, I yearn for his return, but I also know that many of my loved ones still don’t know the Lord. I may not be the witness that they need to hear from, but I know that God sends others to shine the light in their lives.

We’re also witnessing some incredible movements of the Holy Spirit throughout the world these days with previously unreached people groups responding to the gospel. These new believers, in turn, are spreading the Word to areas where no western missionary could possibly visit, breaking down barriers that have existed for centuries.

In verse 8 believers are reminded of God’s patience and how he views the passage of time: “…do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Clearly, what seems like forever to us is but a moment in time for God who isn’t bound by time. Thankfully, when God hears our prayers, He separates our unwise and misplaced requests while accepting the yearning that we have for Him.

Verse 9, as mentioned at the start, brings it all home: God does not want anyone to die without receiving Him. Yes, many will reject His way but others will repent.

In the New King James Version I’m glad that the word “longsuffering” is retained from the KJV.  Though the word means “patience” its usage offers a much more accurate description of what God willingly is going through — a long period of suffering with mankind. My, what a wonderful love He has for us!

His Return, Be Steadfast

The remainder of the chapter quickly shifts to the return of Jesus Christ and the admonition for believers to remain steadfast lest we be led away with the error of the wicked. Instead, as outlined in verse 18, we’re to “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…”

Certainly, these are trying times for those who love God and are groaning under the weight of sin. But, His work in this world isn’t done as there are still those who must be brought into His kingdom, something we are to look for and hasten (v.12).