Here we are at the beginning of a new day, a new year, a new decade!
At the beginning of each new year my heart's desire is that we each would come to know Christ Jesus in a greater measure. 2009 was a year with very difficult things taking place in so many lives. The question is: "Did they become a stumbling block or where they a stepping stone in coming to know the Lord in a greater personal relationship?"

I am not asking if you know more about Christ Jesus, but do you know Him better? Do you love Him more? Is the fruit of the Spirit more evident in your life? Is your heart like that of the Apostle Paul's in Philippians 3:12-14?
"Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Brethern, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

'...I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of...'
Paul tells Timothy and all Believers,
"Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called..." 1 Timothy 6:12 And "O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledge which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith." Vs. 20-21 Also, 2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

'I press on toward the prize of the upward call...'
Paul compares the Christian life to a foot race and as Believers let us take
heed:
Striving for the prize:
"...Run in such a way that you may win." 1 Corinthians 9:24

Stripping for the contest:
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
Hebrews 12:1

The home stretch and then the prize won: (Paul includes all those who keep the faith and love the appearing of our Lord) "I have fought he good fight, I have finished the course, I have keep the faith.; In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8

So let us each press on toward that upward call, each with the desire to KNOW Christ increasingly more intimately, and we do this as we look to the Holy Spirit "to teach us all things" as Jesus promised.

I close with the Lord's blessing to His people through Aaron and his sons:
"The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance n you,
And give you peace" Numbers 6:24-26

Amen