Steve's Journey

I didn't make any New Year's resolutions. If I had, it would be to lose weight and keep my blogs going. My GERD is urging me to get my weight under control. As for my blogs, I think I'm doing fairly well. This one has become a daily journal, and articles are added to Framed By Faith three times a week. I enjoy writing, and I wish that I had taken it seriously very early in my life.

The worship leader at our church declared her New Year's resolution to the congregation, in that she wants to be a better Christian every day. I think that's a good one for all of us. There may be some differences, however, on what it means to be a better Christian. Some would say go to church more, or read your Bible more. Others would instruct us to be nicer to our neighbors, devoted to our family and be peacemakers. Many would say sharing the gospel daily. But, again, what does that mean?

In Sunday school (Methodist) we discussed the concept of God as our Redeemer. When asked how we get redemption, there were several responses, from asking God to redeem us to giving our hearts and devotion to Him. Interestingly, no one brought up the name of Jesus. In our fundamental background it would be a blasphemy to not connect Jesus's death with our redemption.

Since Jesus spent His entire ministry turning many hearts to God, I feel right at home with fellow church-goers referring to God as our Redeemer. The only reason that Jesus called people to follow Him was because He was following God. He knew that if we became like Himself, then we would be in God's perfect will.

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Father, I pray that I might be a better person in this new year. I'm already a Christian because I follow your Son, Jesus. I know that I don't have the whole salvation/redeemer stuff completely figured out, but it is obvious that You care for me as a son. Because I am Your son.

Amen