Lord willing, this New Year will bring us many wonderful new experiences. There will be new people that we will meet, new opportunities to let our lights shine, new songs to sing, and new memories to be made.
As we close the old year, let us be mindful that we have laid a landmark that we cannot move. Life, as God created it in the beginning, moves forward only. Once we have spoken a word or done a deed they cannot be undone, only recalled by the memory and enjoyed or repented. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17
With each day, month and year that passes we are closer to our eternal home. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23.
Let us all deal justly with ourselves and our salvation by drawing nearer to our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord once asked His disciples if they were going to leave Him, to which Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68.
Who can forget the beautiful words of Joshua so long ago? “…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15. Our homes indicate how our societies will develop. With a deep devotion to the Savior and His holy word, we can guide our homes, congregations, and communities with love, peace, joy and safety toward our heavenly home with God as our Father and Christ as our Brother.
There will be trying times to come. As with every new beginning, we hope to stay ahead of our next challenge. Be mindful that God allows challenges to come and we must deal with them accordingly. With each difficulty there is opportunity for growth. “…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-10. As well, consider how God can work things to His favor and yours (Romans 8:28).
Perhaps this year will see “new” things for the church. Every passing year seems to bring new ideas and innovations to the Divine worship. Only careful “proving” and observance of scripture can protect the Kingdom of Christ from an earthly invasion of spiritual wickedness. The Apostle Paul gives this exhortation, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15. John gives this command, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1.
The Lord Jesus left His friends with these words and we can find comfort in them too as we walk down the strange path of this new year, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Man’s only consolation is found in Christ, no other can give such comfort.
Brother Clint DeFrance and I wish you a blessed and prosperous New Year. May God be with you.
Your Brother in Christ,
Sean S. McCallister, Co-Editor
Tags: blessing in 2009, nearer to Christ, new year's address