Page 23 - January15-Catalyst

“BEGIN AGAIN”
By Luella Redfern | Continued From Page 12
challenges, maybe you are changing jobs, moving to a new town or simply await- ing your final exam grades. Each occa- sion brings with it it’s own emotions, sometimes joy, sometimes fear and sad- ness. It’s not necessarily the end result or emotion but how you choose to handle it. Starting a new ending can be the most powerful time in your life when you re- main focused on God. Focusing your at- tention on anything else allows you to get sidetracked. It take time to grow into your new ending. Your journey will take many surprising twists and turns. You will experience cycles of nature, these are periods of growth and periods of dormancy that signal a time of expect- ing the right moments to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
I use to spend a lot of time during my day worrying about yesterday. How could I have done things differently? What If? When I was not worrying about yester- day. I pondered about my future and my children’s future. I pray that God will teach me how to live in the moment this year. I am determined to make Him my all and all. I will give God my undivided attention. Yes there will be distractions and temptations waiting around every corner. But, my focus will be on Him.
Last year is gone, over and ended. God is
the lover of my soul. He gave His only son to die just for me. I want to be more intimate and up close with Him. I know that this will be a better year for me, filled with
hope and peace. I have been feeling stagnate in my relationship with the Lord. I’ve been worrying and anxious. The word says in philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in ev- erything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understand- ing, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. So, it is time for me to rekindle my love affair with the Lord. He calls me to Himself and says, “Come away my beloved.” He is always tugging on my heart, if I am not hearing Him then I need more intimacy with Him.
Sometimes you think it’s just you. Love and empower yourself. Encour- age yourself. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. With Christ, I am learning to love and empower myself to be the best I can be every day. By making this commitment to yourself, it becomes easier to love and empow- er those around you. But do you re- ally want to give this gift to all other people? You can, if you have a person- al, intimate relationship with Christ.
Continued on pg 30
January 2015
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