Start Fresh

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January 4

Bowl season is winding down! Athletics. Now there is a genre which is constantly starting again.
Three of this week's bowl games ended in overtime with the final wins resulting in successful field goals. In each scenario one team left the field with helmets lifted high, the other with their heads hung low. One locker room was filled with victory chants...the other with the lone sound of the coach's voice reciting consolation and admiration. This week each coache will gather their staff and look at 2012 and START AGAIN. The recruiting trail will be trod again, but to different places and a game plan will be compiled AGAIN determined by the talent at hand.

Like a child enjoying being picked up and twirled around, we shout....
"again, again, again"
to the good things in life. On the flip side those words ring out in stringent scenarios, which are far less pleasing...studying for a failed test, searching for a new job after being laid off, listening to the doctor prescribe more chemo...
God may be orating the word AGAIN to us related to sin struggles...
Forgive...again
Resist temptation again
Repent again
Come to Me again
God is a seasoned coach with a grand plan.
He is accustomed to having to produce new game plans.
If today we are on the end, which is facing a loss or disappointment, we must open His Word and look again at what is ahead.

God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness. Titus 2:11-12

"God is ready to fill your empty hands like you would never believe, if you will only lift them up to Him in obedience and praise." Charles Swindoll



Pray:
Lord, you showed favor to your land and forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside your wrath towards Israel's rebellion and turned from your fierce anger. We too, in this modern world, have disappointed You. Restore us again, dear Savior, and put away your displeasure towards us. Restore us again Lord and set us on the path to righteousness. Our hearts' desire is to START AGAIN and be pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' Name, Amen

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