Sunday Class @ 9am; Worship @ 10am & 5pm
Articles
The New Year
The New Year comes, the old year goes, and thus we journey on.
’Tis but a little while we know till we shall all be gone.
How swiftly pass the years along, yet silently and sure;
And none can but a little while the strain of life endure.
How careful then ought we to live and to the spirit sow,
For we shall never pass again this way of life we know!
While many are the sad mistakes we’ve made in days gone by,
Let’s bury now the bitter past and look toward things more high.
Our Father’s ready to forgive and make us great and good,
If we but do His will divine as everywhere we should.
Why not resolve to make this year of all the very best
By doing well our duty here that others may be blest?
We may not gain so much of wealth, but what is better far,
Is just to know our record’s clean when we shall cross the bar.
--------
Preacher’s point – Here we are in another year. In some ways it seems like just yesterday that we had to remember to write 2016 on everything, and now we have to remember to write 2017. How time flies!
We need to regularly examine and test ourselves to see where we stand “in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5), and the beginning of a new year serves as one good time for such soul-searching. As you look back and reflect on the past year, in what ways have you grown spiritually? Are you closer to or farther away from God and your fellow brethren? How have you changed?
Also, we need to always make sure that we are properly prepared for the new year. What preparations are you making for the year ahead? In what ways do you hope to improve by the end of the new year, and - just as important - what steps are you taking now to achieve those goals? Are you preparing to “press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called (us) heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14)? Now is the time.
Have a blessed new year (Matthew 5:3-12)!
