January 2012

C h a n g e 

     It is a brand new year.  Most of us start the New Year with a resolution.  We make promises to ourselves to make our lives and those around us better.  Some of those promises include, saving money, weight loss, no smoking, no alcohol, no drugs, being patient, more family time, and the list goes on and on.  We live in a community of believers when we are dedicated members of his character.  We are family, in good times and in bad, and we need to connect with each other.  Have you considered what change you can bring to the family of God?  Community is about serving and humbling, allowing others to serve You.

     To help you along on your life’s New Year resolution, I challenge you to write a mission statement for your life.  Ask yourself these questions:

           What do I want my life to be about?

           What passions and desires do I have for my family and my church, and myself?

           How will I serve others?

           Where are my gifts and abilities?

           Will I find forgiveness for others and myself?

     Remember that Paul said that what you build your life with, will either be destroyed or it will last forever.

           I Corinthians 3:10-15 “By the grace God has given me.  I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it.  But each one should be careful how he builds.  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, or costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day (Christ) will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one going through the flames.”

     It’s a New Year!  We have the power, through the direction of the Holy Spirit to make these positive changes happen.  This year is a year of change.  What positive changes can we do?

           Pray often and seek the Lord for direction

           Visit with each other in Christian fellowship

 

           Connect with some spiritually

           Witness to those who don’t know Christ

           Do what is right according to the Bible

           Chose your friends wisely

     God loves us so much.  He sent his only Son to us so that he would be born, suffer and die on a cross so that we ALL would have eternal life.  God’s love for man is the same and will not change.  Let us change in the direction that God has for our lives.  Our church can be a more powerful group of believers by commitment and positive change.

 

HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR!   ~ Rev. Bill