Let us Start the New Year Right!

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

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Today you can make the decision to start this right. Take the initiative; call the pastor of a nearby church where Christ is honored and His Word is preached. Start this week, and make plans to attend regularly. I have come to realized that staying in touch with other Christians take my focus off of myself. What is a good church? It isn't the church your entire family goes to for years or the church where you are well-known. It is the church that stands on the word of God, where sound doctrine is taught. It takes courage to part ways with something you are accustomed to but when it comes to the walk with God, no sacrifice can ever be too great. God LOVES you and created you to know Him personally. He sacrificed His son for your salvation. Giving up the wrong church for the pursuit of spiritual growth and to develop a serious relationship with God should be a choice that you are willing to make.

Spiritual growth results from trusting Jesus Christ. "The righteous man shall live by faith" (Galatians 3:11). A life of faith will enable you to trust God increasingly with every detail of your life. You can join me in starting 2009 right by adding the following to your New Year Resolution:
Allow the Holy Spirit to control and empower your daily life and witness (Galatians 5:16,17; Acts 1:8)
Trust God for every detail of your life (1 Peter 5:7).
Witness for Christ by your life and words (Matthew 4:19; John 15:8).
Obey God moment by moment (John 14:21) Read God's Word daily (Acts 17:11)
Go to God in prayer daily (John 15:7).

Friend, Jesus Christ is declared to be Lord by God in the Scriptures. He is worthy to be Lord because of who He is, not merely because of what He has done. Although Jesus is Lord, sadly, He does not hold a preeminent place in the heart of every believer. Various areas of the believer’s life may not be subject to the control of Christ. The Christian should submit these areas to Christ and continue to recognize that Christ’s control of his life is for his own welfare and joy. This year, make an effort to submit every area of your life to the Lordship of Christ and be blessed.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 120

I call on the Lord in my distress,
    and he answers me.
2 Save me, Lord,
    from lying lips
    and from deceitful tongues.

3 What will he do to you,
    and what more besides,
    you deceitful tongue?
4 He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,
    with burning coals of the broom bush.

5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek,
    that I live among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I lived
    among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace;
    but when I speak, they are for war.

Psalm 122

 

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 Our feet are standing
    in your gates, Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is built like a city
    that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up—
    the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord
    according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
    the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your prosperity.