Posts Tagged ‘ new year ’

Finish Well

December 23, 2010
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Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:12

As we close out 2010 there are many thoughts that caress our minds. Some have lost loved ones; others have had major medical problems. Some have changed jobs and others have seen relationships die. Some have made it through the year without any crisis. Others have fared well in spite of crisis. Some have succumbed to drifting and slipping away from truths taught and practiced for so long.

What is the key to longevity? In physical life it is clean living, good genes, healthy habits and care taken. At the relational level it is clean living, good partners, healthy habits and careful living. In the emotional life it is care taken, proper self-control, kindness given and received, emotional outlets that don’t scar and Spirit controlled actions. In our spiritual lives it is all the above plus the following:

Being intentional rather than drifting. God has built us so that we follow the way we set our minds to. Half-hearted commitment will not last beyond ill-advised New Year’s resolutions. Make them January 1 and forget them January 15. The choice must be made with all the heart, soul, mind and strength. Anything less will fade as the year goes by.

Being committed no-matter-what, rather than committed-as-long-as. What does it take to finish the year as faithful servants to Jesus? When the first temptation comes and we fall, it means that we have not really stepped into this new life for Christ. When we choose to miss being with our church family once, it makes it so easy the next time. Many have made a resolution to service but found it easier to make than to keep.

Being in community rather than lone rangers. A branch disconnected from the root will wither and dry. Branches joined together on regular bases will encourage faithfulness and will help us complete the year as faithful to the one who was faithful to us.

A New Year

January 2, 2010
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Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Matthew 3:8

Welcome to the New Year.  I had just gotten used to writing 2009 and she is gone.  2010 is like a new page in the book of our life. We begin a new year with the page blank and we begin to write our life for 2010.

God is still in the life changing business. He awaits our decision to make this the best year of our lives.  He is not interested in any outward change and resolution that won’t last past the first temptation that comes our way.  He is interested in changing us into the image of Jesus.

Producing “fruit in keeping with repentance”, means that changes in our approach to the New Year are inward. The Pharisees and Sadducees came to John for baptism because they thought it was a popular thing to do.  John would have none of it.

“What do you think you are doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to make any difference? It’s your life that must change, not your skin.” (The Message)

It’s a good time of the year to examine ourselves and make inward changes that can make a difference in our personal lives, family lives and church lives.  What inward change would your need to make to write a good year on the 2010 page of your boo?

As a preacher for 50 years I have always encouraged us to be involved in the local family of God.  Belonging to a church reinforces our faith.  A Christian without a church is like a football player without a team. It’s like a Marine without a unit.  It’s like a family meal without a family.

The Coming New Year

December 27, 2008
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Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord.

James 5:7

As we approach the New Year it is important for us to “make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil”. (Ephesians 5:16)  This time of the year we are more likely to evaluate where we are in our relational, financial, physical and spiritual lives.  If things have gone well we can approach the New Year with confidence.  If things have gone sour for us this year we will look at the New Year with some fear and trepidation.

It is a wise man who knows how to be patient.  Many are there who want everything today and don’t give a hoot about tomorrow.  Some want everything yesterday but can’t pay for it tomorrow.

he times are going to put a strain on us and we may find that it is wise to be patient and fugal as we look to 2009.  It probably is wise to live this way in any and every year.  Those who have lived frugally and have been diligent in their approach to life will fine the new year will turn out right.  Those who have overextended themselves will be found scrambling for ways to meet the demands of the New Year.

There is an old saying that goes something like this:  “All things come to those who wait”. But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

The New Year will have many challenges.  We may be faced with tough decisions about life, family, finances, health, jobs, children and homes.  Those who go into the next year with Jesus as their companion and determined to follow His ways have a better chance of making it through with flying colors. Until the coming of the Lord.

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