It's a New Year, Beloved

I have been enjoying my family time, for the last week or so, but I have also been in prayer to my Heavenly Father. I seem to have forgotten that my name is Beloved. That by claiming that name, I have a responsibility and an honor to uphold it. So in this New Year, I have been listening to one of my favorite artists. His name is Jon Shabaglian. He is a local artist, so unless you go to this site, and buy his CD, you're not likely to find it in any stores. Two of my favorites are "Have You Encountered" and "Wake Up" off his "Stay Near" CD. The first few verses of "Have You Encountered" are as follows:

Hey bro, can I have your ear
I've got somethin' here
That's heavy up inside of me
I see you wanderin' around
Without much purpose
so I'm wondering if you've ever
Had the priveledge
To meet a special friend of mine
As for me: since we first met
Things have been different.

Now I don't know where you stand
But as for Him He's offering His hand
So I gotta ask...

Have you encountered my God, my God?
Have you encountered my God, my God?

After listening to this song, I have to ask myself, am I being a faithful witness to the true God? Am I being a fake Christian? Am I being a shady reflection of His people? If so then they have NOT encountered my God!

The song "Wake Up" talks about the uphill climb that following the One True God is. I am reminded that we must take up our crosses and follow Him, if we are to be true reflections of Him. We cannot hold on to that which is comfortable, or the status quo! Being a Christ follower is NOT comfortable. It goes against everything we naturally are. Though we were created in God's image, we have strayed so far from that original creation, and we must ask ourselves each day, are we straying from the narrow path?

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence [is] fullness of joy; At Your right hand [are] pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 NKJV

Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. Psalm 119:35 NKJV

The way of the just [is] uprightness; O Most Upright, You weigh the path of the just. Isaiah 26:7 NKJV

All this to say that I will be making a resolution today and everyday of every New Year to be in closer communion with the Lord, because without Him, my path will not be straght. I will stray from this very narrow path, and will never be able to find my way through that narrow Gate. I pray you will also meditate on these Truths today.

There is no "MORE" to this post.