They say "Today is the first day of the rest of your life ". That makes so much sense because it is the truth in the simplest way you can put it.
We recently saw the new year come in but do you know what? Every day of our lives is the beginning of a new year and every morning we wake is the start of a new life. I know that is how I see it these days anyway.
I thank you so much dear Lord, not just for a new beginning today , but for everyday you give me the opportunity to celebrate life. I am also so, so very grateful that you gave me a chance to tell you this Jesus, but I really don't deserve your grace after all these years of ignoring you and abusing this life you have created .
I did the math and figured out that my drinking began when I was 17 years old and ended when it almost killed me at the age of 57. That's 40 years! I don't have great knowledge of the Bible but I know that 40 year spans seem to be the time frame for hardships and suffering , and challenging the endurance of mankind's love & faith for God , back in the day.
But today we face similar challenges and it is even more difficult for people to believe and have faith in God. I was guilty of this for a long time. I didn't need God in my life. I had my bottle! That was my pleasure, it was my passion, it was all I wanted and after a while it was the only thing I needed. Literally! I've tried to explain to my pastor how I felt when I was at the peak of my alcohol addiction and what it feels like to hit rock bottom.
It is hard to tell somebody else the feelings of complete, intense hopelessness and despair. I mean I didn't want to die, it just seemed like a better option than living. What a horrible, hellish place to be in. The devil had me in his clutches and I was hanging by a thread over the kingdom of darkness.
Then God pulled me in away from the devil's grip and saved me. Now I can stand face to face with Satan whenever he tempts me and let him know that I now live for Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior and have no time for his evil games because I fear him no longer.
Last night was so great learning about the Bible . It is what fulfills me now and I just want more & more.
It is my new addiction. It is a new year. It is the start of a new life. It is something very good. Last year my next door neighbor asked me to go to ALPHA (the first time ) and I believe that was the beginning of God's plan.
My pastor told me once that he was like a pipe carrying water from a well, the well being the Holy Spirit and the water being God's Word. In that case I would like to fill my cup , and when that gets full, pour the cup into a jug, and when it's full pour the jug into a barrel, and when barrel after barrel get full pour them into a swimming pool. Now, when the pools starts to overflow with knowledge and love I guess there is nothing else to do except dive in.
God bless you!Gino
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