Take Aim For 2017

Let's take aim for 2017. I'm going into 2017 with the same determination of previous years...If I aim at nothing, I'll miss every time. I desire to aim for the glory of God!

I personally love the week in between Christmas and New Years. It's an excellent time for me to switch gears, and simply meditate on "Personal Life Stewardship" as one Pastor in California calls it. In fact, I have just picked up his book again, "Stewarding Life," and decided to read it and refocus. 

Let me give you the three possible primary ways we may expend our lives in 2017, and then I'll let you decide where you are at and where you need to be with God. These three truths are from Chapter Two in Paul Chappell's book, "Stewarding Life," and I pray they will challenge you as they have challenged me:

I. Squanderers waste the life God has given in purposeless living. Or they waste their lives in selfish or temporal pursuits.

II. Spenders expend the life God has given them faster than it can be replenished. Their motivation may be right, but they fail to demonstrate dependence on God by honoring His built-in cycles of rest and renewal.

III. Stewards recognize that life itself is a gift from God, and they purpose to use it for His glory. They prayerfully and purposefully identify God's directives for their lives and, in dependence on Him, obey. They see God as the owner and themselves as the administrators fulfilling His directives.

These truths are always a great reminder for this preacher. I don't want to squander the gift of life and it's purpose for God's glory. I don't want to miss the point of life and spend it up too fast even with the right motives, but I do desire to steward my life for the glory of God!

This last bit of text is a poem by C.T. Studd. Read carefully, and may it greatly challenge you as you enter into 2017. I have heard the extra stanza listed at the bottom, but, according to my recollection, I've never heard/read the whole thing.

One Life To Live

Poem by C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life’s busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart,

And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,

And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,

Gently pleads for a better choice

Bidding me selfish aims to leave,

And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its clays I must fulfill,

living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,

When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way,

Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e’er the strife,

Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,

And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone,

Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, “twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;

And when at last I’ll hear the call,

I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

— extra stanza —

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,

If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee

My life's purpose statement is: "The purpose of my life is to glorify God by living with the mind of Christ, loving and providing for my family, and impacting my world with the Gospel of Christ." Justyn Michael Smith 3.21.14

I encourage you to write a life purpose statement, and then decide to live according by it. 

Let's take aim and glorify God this year!

Blessed Beyond Measure,

Pastor Justyn Smith • Crossroads Baptist Church • Peoria, IL