Abundant Life Church

It's hard to believe that 2011 is nearly over. I remember as a child thinking how slowly life moved by, and now as an adult I'm overtly aware of how quickly time passes. I guess it's one of those weird as-you-get-older paradox's.

As I spend some time reflecting over this last year, I can feel the discouragement start to settle in.

There are so many goals that I failed to deliver on.

Books I failed to read.

Places I failed to go.

Weight I failed to lose.

The glass doesn't even feel half-full - it feels like it's nearly empty with dirty, stagnant water at the bottom. Yuck. Earlier this year there was a story circulating the internet called "When Grandma Goes To Court." Hopefully you've seen it. No? Let me enlighten you.

In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the stand. He approached her and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know me?' She responded, 'Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you'll never amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you.' The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?' She again replied, 'Why yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him.' The defense attorney nearly died. The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench and, in a very quiet voice, said, 'If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you both to the electric chair.'

Ell. Oh. Ell.

I love that story. But not because that's exactly how grandmas are or the fact that it makes me laugh out loud. I love it because it reminds me of my own accuser.

He seeks to steal from me, kill me, and destroy me.

He knows every sin I've committed over the past year. Every failure, every shortcoming. And he finds pleasure in constantly reminding me of these things.

But there's always two sides to every story.

Christ came to give me a rich and satisfying life. A life in abundance. A life I can live to the fullest.

And when the devil tries to broadcast my failures, Christ asks,

"What failures? Which shortcomings? What sin?"

A beautiful exchange takes place. Beauty for ashes. A crown for my rags.

I see what's in front of me and I find the hope I need to make this next year count.

I don't want to suffer through another day, or tolerate another week, or survive another year.

I want to live each day to the fullest and make the most what little time I've been given.

So let me ask you today:

What sin is gripping you?

What failure is haunting you?

What guilt is plaguing you?

Maybe 2011 wasn't a good year.

Maybe you're like me and fell short on some personal goals.

Maybe there's a Mrs. Jones haunting your thoughts and dreams. Or maybe you lost a job or a loved one.

Today I want to encourage you.

In God's courtroom, there is no past - there is only the present and the future.

In Christ, there is only hope and redemption.

Don't allow the enemy's accusations to trump God's saving grace. Let His promises propel you into an amazing new year and His peace lead you to an abundantly blessed future.

Psalm 103 1 Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! 6 The LORD gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. 7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. 8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. 9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the east 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.