"The story is told of a little boy who fell out of bed. Asked what happened, he said, 'I guess I just stayed too close to the gettin'-in place.' That is exactly why many people fall away from God after their conversion - they stay too close to the "gettin'-in" place and do not grow to maturity. It is no shame to be a baby, if you were born a few months ago. But if a person has been a child of God for several years and has not grown, he has a problem. Everyone needs to grow as a Christian, and everyone can grow, if he/she simply applies the Bible principles of growth." ~ David E. Pratte

Welcome back to Monday here on this December 30, 2019. I'm not too much into new year's resolutions. I would imagine my wife could come up with a long list to help get me started. I am very much aware, even at my age, I am still a work in progress. And, that implies the reality that I have not arrived, but, He, the Lord God of heaven, well, as the children's song puts it, "He's Still Working on Me."

He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me

He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me

There really ought to be a sign upon my heart
Don't judge him yet, there's an unfinished part
But I'll be better just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master's loving hands

He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me

In the mirror of His word
Reflections that I see
Makes me wonder why He never gave up on me
But He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He's the potter, I'm the clay

He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me

He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me

Written by the late Gospel songwriter and singer, Joel Hemphill

That, my friend, is my testimony, and I really can't deny it. Therefore, I am thankful He hasn't given up on me and since I am still here, I know He has more work for me to accomplish. I can identify with the sentiment expressed by an old-time preacher man, the late Dr. Havis McBride when he described the nature of the believer's development by calling us all, "fellow strugglers". The good news is how God has provided for us in this ongoing conflict, " You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1st John 4:4) Some Christians seem to think that struggling is beneath them. The Apostle Paul had this to say about his own personal situation, "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." (Romans 7:19) Some read that and want to throw in the towel. Fortunately, the Apostle did not leave this as our lasting legacy because he in the same passage gave the key to how we can achieve growth and make progress, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25)

You didn't need a sermonette this morning. Good! I don't have to look far to find someone who did. Right! You guessed it the first time. "It's me, it's me, it's me Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer." Amen. .....More later.