January 2021

SAVE THE DATE

JANUARY

1.1 | New Year’s Day

1.22 | Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

PRAYER CORNER

Please join us in prayer for this time of sickness- and its accompanying fear and loss- to end. Please pray for January to be a time of repentance and renewal, to set worthy goals and to have perseverance to see them through. Finally, pray for Inauguration Day and for God’s sovereign choice for president in this new term to lead our country well with policies that are God-honoring. Finally, pray for all people to see the preciousness of each and every human life, including the unborn. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

By Bill Powell

January for me is the time I begin to plan for the new year. I have written many articles about planning and goal setting. I have heard it said if you have no goals you probably will achieve them all. I am convinced that having plans and goals big and small will help you be more productive and fulfilled. Even though I agree that making goals of all kinds is important- and I think you should- my question to you is, are you planning for your eternity?

One of our business sponsors has a motto, “Are you leaving a plan of action, or a plan of confusion for those you leave behind?” Do you have a will? What about your underage children in the event of your unexpected demise? Where will they go? What is your burial preference? Have you made provisions for your spouse? Would you donate your organs, and how would you like to see your assets divided? Have you considered God’s work after you pass? You get the picture on planning for the physical future, but what I want you to think about is, have you planned for your spiritual future?

Have you come to the conclusion you are a sinner? This is probably the most important thing you can do in your life. Have you repented of your sins? Do you have unfinished business in your relationship with the Lord? Do you have a relationship, and have you communicated your whole life- good and bad- to Him? I think the biggest blessing anyone could have is to know the Lord and love the Lord. You cannot love Him if you do not know Him. Do you really know Him? If you do not study the Bible, you cannot really know Him. Have you put enough effort into getting to know the Lord? If you have not, it is not too late.

(Mar 6:12 NASB) And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

(Luk 13:5 NASB) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

(Rev 3:19 NASB) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

(Act 3:19 NASB) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

(2Ti 2:15 NASB) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

(Joh 5:39 NASB) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

(2Ti 3:16 NASB) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Goals and planning are good, but do not neglect your eternity.

(Heb 2:3 NASB) How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Happy New Year,

CAUTION AND ENTHUSIASM

By Chris Johnson

Another year has dawned and for the first time since maybe the year 2000, we are tip-toeing into the new year with a much greater measure of sobriety and caution. 2020 was a transformative year in so many ways and only time will tell the true story of the impact of such a tumultuous year. I don’t know anyone who this time last year could’ve anticipated the chaotic roller coaster of the last journey around the sun, and yet I do know that our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ was marvelously at work continuing to rule from the right hand of the Father on high. The Kingdom of our God is continuing to advance, and the Gospel of Christ must continue to go forward. For all the caution we might bring into this new year, let us be all the more diligent to spread the light of Christ throughout the world the Lord has placed us in. You and I are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation by calling men and women to repent of the sin and turn to Jesus Christ. He is the Light of the World! He is the source of true Joy! He is the one and only Deliverer. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever and we must make him known. What a wonderful stewardship we’ve been given and it’s my deepest prayer that in 2021 the Lord would fill us with greater zeal for His glory and for His kingdom. We’re wise to wade cautiously into the new year, yet let us not be cautious about seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. May the mission of gospel proclamation arrest our souls. May our love for the Scriptures be an all-consuming passion, and may the Holy Spirit use us as instruments in the hands of the Redeemer. Happy New Year!

THANK YOU FOR CHRISTMAS

By Denisha Stearns

With the stresses that this year brought, I found as the holidays began to roll in, that I was singing that peppy musical tune “We Need a Little Christmas NOW”. We needed it, and did you all really bring it! If you participated in our yearly Collections of items for nursing home residents, foster children, and homeless persons, Thank You! Your gifts allowed both the smallest and the largest of the area’s senior living places to have several gifts for each resident. To the resident, it isn’t just a blanket and pair of slippers. It is a message that says, “ You are remembered, you are loved, and you matter”. To the child who was just removed from the only home and life they’ve known, it isn’t just another toy. It is a consolation and a joy as they play as children and set aside their loss and fear, if only for moments. To the homeless person, the new socks (and also the hats and gloves) can mean the difference between health and disease.

We give all the credit to our listeners and to the love of Jesus in your hearts that prompted you to be so generous and to encourage others in the community to do likewise. May every recipient feel that they have been remembered. May all good and perfect gifts come from Him and point to Him. Thank you for our Christmas gift- experiencing the love of Christ and the spirit of Christmas with you.

In the 2020 Christmas Collections, you gave: over 175 blankets and shawls, over 450 pairs of slippers and socks, over 150 personal care items, over 160 toys and art supplies, over 25 gifts cards, over 100 bags of candy and miscellaneous items, and over 400 hand-crafted Christmas cards. Praise the Lord!

IN ALL YOU DO

By Christina Hutchinson

Well, 2020 was certainly an eye-opening year. I think we all learned to count each day as a gift and to appreciate the small things such as a hug from a friend or gatherings with loved ones. This year as you set your goals, I pray if nothing else, you set your mind on things above. That you would truly store up treasure in Heaven. Make Christ center in all you do and lean on Him in times of need and in times of thriving. In all you do this year, do it for the glory of God. It’s time to take advantage of the breath we have left in us. We are not guaranteed tomorrow has a place for either one of us. The Bible tells us that God has numbered each of our days here on earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:16 ESV

This earth is not our home, we have a final destination. Are we investing into our eternal home? Are we investing into the things of The Lord or are we spending our time foolishly on the the things of this world that one day will be no more? I have to say these thoughts are quite convicting for myself. I have goals and aspirations, certainly. There is nothing wrong with having goals and acquiring those things. After all, God has blessed us with gifts and we should certainly use them for HIs Glory. So long as those things do not become a distraction from the path we are to stay on.

I hope you all have a Happy New Year and remember to focus on Christ, be His light in this dark world. God Bless.