Friends Magazine Hong Kong
By Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva
January 2013 Edition

When the clock strikes twelve on the midnight of a brand new year, to some of us, there seems to be an invisible lock inside of us that automatically snaps then sets into motion an internal “rebooting” of our senses.  Wittingly or unwittingly, we begin to open ourselves to the promise of every first day of January – the promise to start anew.

There is a world of difference, however, between the prospect of starting anew – and practically starting anew.  Because stuffed in between where we are and where we hope to be are old fears and past failures that keep us from taking the first step toward our desired destination.  In some cases, we are also delimited by the uncertainty of the future.

This 2013, how do we begin again then?

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Life likened to a race, the Apostle Paul compared himself to a runner and gave his life as an example for the people in Philippi to imitate.  His words of old still ring true today.

“It’s not that I’ve already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14, God’s Word Translation, emphasis mine).

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Certainly, beginningis hard enough for someone with a clean slate. Imagine how difficult beginning againcan get for battle-scarred, old-time “runners” in this race we call life.

In the Apostle Paul’s own words, the number one key to start anew is to don’t look back. In the words of French Philosopher Voltaire, “Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them.  The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.”

The past has its power over our future only if we allow it to control our present. Hence an old proverb counsels, “Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.”

One biblical account tells the story of Jesus who called out a man to come and follow after Him.  The fellow, however, excused himself and requested that he first bury his father. “But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62, NASB).

According to Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, “To put one’s hand to a plow is a proverbial expression to signify undertaking any business. In order that a plowman may accomplish his work, it is necessary to look onward – to be intent on his employment – not to be looking back with regret that he undertook it.”

This 2013, let us be purposeful in our intent to forget all things that are behind us and to press onward regardless of what’s ahead of us.

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Again, in the words of Apostle Paul, the second key to start anew is to lengthen our stride.  In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “Take the first step in faith.”  Such a very simple yet spot-on counsel for all of us, for there is indeed no other way for us to get anywhere in life but to do exactly that.

What does it mean to walk by faith?  Second Corinthians 5:7 says, “… we walk by faith, not by sight.”

“Faith isn’t the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step” (Joni Erickson Tada). “Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see” (William Newton Clarke).

How does one develop faith? “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17, NASB). Or as Smith Wigglesworth put it: “I can’t understand God by feelings. I can’t understand the Lord Jesus Christ by feelings. I can only understand God the Father and Jesus Christ by what the Word says about them. God is everything the Word says He is. We need to get acquainted with Him through the Word.”

In other words, “The hearing of faith is the sound of the Word of God coming alive in your heart” (Rex Rouis).  So, “If you wish to know God, you must know His Word. If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by His Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word” (C.H. Spurgeon).

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Finally, to start anew is to run straight toward the goal to win the prize.  Geared up with God’s purpose and guided by unwavering faith in Christ, all we have to do is run straight toward our goal.  Like horses with eye-blinders on, we have to keep our focus fixed on Jesus and on His Word.  As long as we keep the eyes of our faith looking unto Him alone, we keep our feet from aimlessly running around in circles.

This 2013, let us intentionally choose to take God at His Word.  He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End – and the Sovereign God at work in-between!  He promised, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

If you want to have a growing relationship with Jesus or you have questions or prayer requests, email us at [email protected].

Blessings of peace, joy, abundance, and breakthroughs in Christ Jesus our Lord this 2013 and always! Shalom! Shalom!

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