Category Archives: Inspiration

New Year – New Life!

“The life of the human being is so fleeting.”

 

2023 – is not just another number, it represents a new opportunity! Certainly, many around the world have started working on their “New Year’s resolutions”, resolutions that unfortunately will fade as the days go by and perhaps in a couple of months. Few are those who keep hope alive and their eyes set on reaching the goal.

But we should all go beyond poetically writing a couple of “New Year’s resolutions”; and we should take a prudential time to meditate in our hearts and evaluate our life in the light of our “life manual”. What is that “life manual”, some may ask? Well, the only “life manual” that every human being has and should have is the Bible.

For some, the Bible is unfortunately already an obsolete book, of yesteryear, worthless in the era in which we live. For others, the Bible is almost an “amulet”, they enjoy having it as a wonderful ornament and sign of “good luck” in one of their rooms. But happily, for many others, the Bible is truly the Word of God, it is the “life manual” that the Creator has given to His Creation and even more so to those who are His sons and daughters.

And the Word of God tells us  “ yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14 – ESV)

And yes, the life of the human being is so fleeting. It’s almost a dream as parents raise their little ones, watch them crawl, walk, run, and almost disappear into adulthood – their studies, their businesses, their commitments, their new families. “Time flies” say some; and in truth it is so. What is 70 – 80 years old? In some cases, perhaps much less or perhaps a few more years. But what are a few decades compared to eternity? Time flies, earthly life is really fleeting.

2023-engThe Psalmist David wisely tells us: “Teach us to understand the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 – NLT). And it is that no one has a guaranteed tomorrow; however, while the grace of our Creator allows us to be on this planet, we must yearn to live a life full of wisdom, love, grace and service to others.

And perhaps everyone who reads this article can say, I live that life! But I must be very clear, no one lives, nor will they live, a truly wise life, without having personally met the Giver of life and the Source of wisdom, Christ Jesus.

For this reason, at this beginning of the New Year 2023, I invite you to evaluate your life and refocus it if necessary, so that the Creator of Heaven and Earth, of the entire universe, may not be only Your Creator, but you may also allow Him to enter into your life and embrace you as only a Father knows how to do it.

And for this, you only need to recognize 3 simple but profound things at the same time:

  1. We are all sinners – None is righteous, no, not one, the Bible tells us (Romans 3:10).
  2. I can’t do anything on my own to cleanse myself of my sins. There is no human effort that can erase the evil that is in the heart of man (Jeremiah 17:9).
  3. I recognize that only the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross is the only thing that cleanses me from all sin and that by accepting Jesus as my only Savior, it is the only thing that brings me from death to life, from darkness to light. It is the only way to go from “creature” to “son or daughter of God” (John 1:12).

As 2023 begins, I encourage you to make the biggest decision of your life, if you haven’t already. God, your Creator is waiting for you with open arms – accept His invitation, don’t put it off until tomorrow, because tomorrow may already be too late.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:16-17)

New Year – new life in Christ Jesus!

hand holding wooden block with text 2023 NEW YEAR NEW YOU on tab

NOTE:  If you would like to learn more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please contact us.

 

Light beyond Christmas!

“The incandescent Christmas lights will soon go out… Jesus, the Light of the world, will never be extinguished.”

Cecy Yépez

There is almost no place in the world, in which during this time the cities are lit and illuminated. And in the largest metropolises, this is tremendously evident. Intense and colorful lights adorn parks, shopping malls, large buildings, and certainly residential neighborhoods. Throughout the month of December, this is the most common experience around the world.

And yes, this custom probably brings joy, enthusiasm and lifts the spirits of many; forgetting for a moment the tremendous challenges, difficulties and obstacles faced throughout the year. But how long will your enthusiasm last? The lights will eventually go out probably at the start of the new year.

However, there is a light that will never go out – Christ Jesus, the real reason for Christmas who did not come to illuminate a certain time of the year. More than 2000 years ago, Jesus, God Himself, came to this world with a special purpose, to give His life as a ransom for many, for you and for me; so, that recognizing that we are sinners, that we are not righteous in ourselves, we would realize the great need for a Savior. Let us then recognize the great need to be brought out of the darkness into His marvelous light.

Don’t we live in a world awash in darkness? A world full of evil – violence and abuse in all forms, corruption on a grand scale, deception on all levels, depression, and self-destruction; and this just to name a few elements of this vast world of evil.

TE-Christmas-2021The incandescent Christmas lights will soon go out and just hold out for a few more weeks. Jesus, the Light of the world, will never be extinguished. He desires with all His heart to come and dwell in your life and illuminate it from today and forever. He longs to bring you from death to life, from darkness to His marvelous light.

Please, decide today to leave behind the world of darkness that has surrounded you until now; and open your heart to Jesus Christ, who tells you: “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)

If you do so, you can genuinely celebrate your first and true Christmas!

Christmas in prayer!

“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people…” 

 

This Christmas, at “Towards Excellence”, we will take time to pray for our faithful readers around the world.

And we pray that the peace of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, the peace that surpasses all understanding, may be poured out in the lives of each of our readers. May Jesus, the Prince of Peace, be manifest in their lives, even in the midst of the turbulence and uncertainties that may be surrounding  them this Christmas season.

For those who already have the privilege of having a personal relationship with Jesus, may that relationship be even more strengthened, may each person set his or her gaze on “things above” and not on earthly things; that in the midst of the confusion that this world lives, their gaze may be placed on the Throne of God, a throne that is immovable. May their trust be in the King of kings, Jesus, and not in the ephemeral governments and systems of this world.

And for those who still do not know Christ and have not established a personal relationship with Him, we pray that all spiritual bandages will be removed from their eyes, and that they may recognize in the depths of their hearts that they are sinners, like everyone else because the Word of God says that “There is no righteous person, not even one”; and that they may come to repentance and to understand the need of salvation for their lives. May Jesus Christ supernaturally reveal Himself in their lives and bring them salvation, peace, joy, and His marvelous light in the midst of the darkness that they are surely facing.

We pray that the miracle of the first Christmas, more than 2000 years ago, will be an extraordinary reality this Christmas, in the heart of each person who decides to dispose his or her heart, as the manger was arranged, to receive the Messiah, the Savior of the world who yearns to be the Savior of their lives.

It is our prayer that we are all willing to listen to the sweet voice of our beloved Jesus, who is knocking today at the door of our hearts; so we clearly and confidently listen: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people…” (Luke 2:10).

We pray thus in the Name which is above every name, in Jesus Christ!

A Very Special Gift!

“The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.”                                                                                                                                                                (James 5:7b)

 

This year 2020, Towards Excellence celebrated 7 years of service to the global community. Our purpose has been to bring a word of deep reflection to the lives of each of our readers. A word that penetrates their hearts and transforms lives so that they produce fruits of excellence and abundant fruits.

In appreciation to our readers, we want to share with you the brochure “Seek the Kingdom of God” for free.

We are convinced that this special gift has the power to bring a new perspective in your life and in the lives of those with whom you want to share it freely.

We live in difficult times, of great tension, fear and even hopelessness. The pandemic and other related factors have disrupted human life. But, there is hope in the midst of uncertainty! It is possible to see the light in the middle of the darkness! On the road to damnation, we can be rescued and saved!

Totally free, download Seek the Kingdom of God.”

Your salvation is just around the corner, do not waste this opportunity! Don’t waste this special treat!

The Vision of His Glory – Revelation

“Communication is vitally important in developing a personal relationship with anyone, including God. Could it be that lack of communication, or even miscommunication, could be one reason for your relationship with God seeming to be distant, formal, and impersonal?” 

Anne Graham Lotz

 

On this occasion “Towards Excellence” is pleased and honored to recommend you a valuable material from the author Anne Graham Lotz, President of AnGel Ministries.

It is a Bible Study based on the book of Revelation, which includes: The workbook, plus a series of 6 videos.

We trust that this study, either individually or in a group, will help you develop communication and especially a personal relationship with God.

The Vision of His Glory will teach you how to read and study the Bible. And being based on the book of Revelation, a book that “discloses what was previously unknown”; we trust that Jesus Christ Himself, the One true God, will be revealed in your life or in that of the group with whom you will share this study; and then you may be filled with the glory of God, as you develop an intimate communion with your Creator and Savior, throughout this study.

“The Vision of His Glory” [English version] is available at:

“The Vision of His Glory” [English Version]

And for Spanish speaking people, one may access for free to “The Vision of His Glory” [La Visión de Su gloria] at:

La Visión de Su Gloria – [español]

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John”. (Revelation 1:1)

 

Copyright © 2020 Anne Graham Lotz (AnGeL Ministries) Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved www.annegrahamlotz.org.