January is named after Janus (Ianuarius), the god of the doorway; the name has its beginnings in Roman mythology, coming from the Latin word for door (ianua) – January is the door to the year. In Roman mythology, Janus (or Ianus; “archway”) was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings and endings. His most prominent remnant in modern culture is his namesake, the month of January, which begins the new year. He is most often depicted as having two faces or heads, facing in opposite directions. (thanks to wikipedia)
January, the time to open new doors and perhaps close old ones. There are many facets to our lives in which to apply this “rule”, but none is as important as the doors of your spiritual life.
I know many of us make some kind of attempt at New Year resolutions in January. I stopped doing that a few years back when I figured out that it never worked for me. I never could change myself, myself. My attempt at closing doors to the past just never quite worked out, they kept swinging back open. Couldn’t really say when it was that I finally figured it out, but I do know how…prayer…intentional prayer. Of course it took a whole lot of journeying to even get to the point of realizing that Jesus is THE ONE that would change me and that I could reach Jesus through prayer. So if I may just say then that if it is spiritual change you are looking for, then it is Jesus you must seek. Jesus IS THE WAY, Jesus IS THE TRUTH and Jesus IS THE LIFE. This journey I speak of only happens when you are intentional about the change you seek. Be intentional in meeting Jesus face to face and do it now. No more putting off what should have already been done, I promise you will not regret.
There are many places you can meet Jesus face-to-face, places we never expect, places we do expect. If you’ve been to the places you expect to meet Jesus and have found disappointment, then maybe you need to look a bit deeper. It is easy to look at the surface but the shine wears off of the surface pretty fast. Let me speak frank here. I’ve been there when Jesus was a part of my vocabulary and somewhat a part of my life. I might attend church when I felt like it, kept thinking one of those times that preacher just might say something that “moves” me (or maybe the music) and then I’ll be in. Just waiting on that ole preacher to inspire me. Well I kept going in and out those church doors, never seeing Jesus face to face. At some point I decided to get intentional about my spiritual life and realized that it was what I failed to give that kept me swinging those doors.
Bible Study must be intentional. One cannot know Jesus, cannot develop that relationship with Jesus until one has decided to become intentional in learning who He is, what He has to offer and what He expects of you.
It’s time to quit swinging the doors. Wednesday Bible Study this year will be a variety of topics and scripture. Most will be what you have asked to study. Make this the year you meet Jesus face to face.
The first scripture we will study is John 14:6. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
January 13 at 6:30p-8:00p. You do not need to sign up. Just come. No commitments to every Wednesday, just come when you can, bring your Bible and expect to meet Jesus face to face.
