While much of the world is partying, I would like to encourage each of us to spend the time in prayer!
Even though Jan. 1 is an arbitrary date chosen to represent the beginning of a new year, yet we do count our time based on that system.
Every time the old year rolls out and the new year enters it does cause us to reflect on the past and think about how we want to spend the future. In a sense it represents a new beginning. Yet, every day represents a new beginning. And the best "new beginning" is when with sins confessed, to realize Christ has forgiven our sins and invites us into a newness of life in a close walk of fellowship with Him.
I want to spend this coming Year in an ever closer relationship with my Creator, Savior, Lord, and Friend.
"Already has the new year been ushered in; yet before we greet its coming, we pause to ask, What has been the history of the year that with its burden of records has now passed into eternity? The admonition of the apostle comes down the lines to every one of us,"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves." God forbid that at this important hour we should be so engrossed with other matters as to give no time to serious, candid, critical self-examination! Let things of minor consequence be put in the background, and let us now bring to the front the things which concern our eternal interests. . . . {LHU 15.2}
No one of us can in our own strength represent the character of Christ; but if Jesus lives in the heart, the spirit dwelling in Him will be revealed in us; all our lack will be supplied. Who will seek at the beginning of this new year to obtain a new and genuine experience in the things of God? Make your wrongs right as far as possible. Confess your errors and sins one to another. Let all bitterness and wrath and malice be put away; let patience, long-suffering, kindness, and love become a part of your very being; then whatsoever things are pure and lovely and of good report will mature in your experience. . . . {LHU 15.3}
What fruit have we borne during the year that is now past? What has been our influence upon others? Whom have we gathered to the fold of Christ? The eyes of the world are upon us. Are we living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men? Do we follow the example of Jesus in self-denial, in meekness, in humility, in forbearance, in cross-bearing, in devotion? Will the world be compelled to acknowledge us to be the servants of Christ? . . . {LHU 15.4}
Shall we not in this new year seek to correct the errors of the past? It behooves us individually to cultivate the grace of Christ, to be meek and lowly of heart, to be firm, unwavering, steadfast in the truth; for thus only can we advance in holiness, and be made fit for the inheritance of the saints in light. Let us begin the year with an entire renunciation of self; let us pray for clear discernment, that we may understand our Saviour's claims upon us, and that we may always and everywhere be witnesses for Christ (Signs of the Times, Jan. 4, 1883). {LHU 15.5}
Lift up Jesus, you that teach the people. Lift Him up in exhortations, in sermons, in songs, in prayer. Let all your efforts be directed to pointing souls, confused, bewildered, and lost, to "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Bid them look and live (Review and Herald, Apr. 12, 1892).
And the best "new beginning" is when with sins confessed, to realize Christ has forgiven our sins and invites us into a newness of life in a close walk of fellowship with Him. I want to spend this coming Year in an ever closer relationship with my Creator, Savior, Lord, and Friend.
While much of the world is partying, I would like to encourage each of us to spend the time in prayer!
Even though Jan. 1 is an arbitrary date chosen to represent the beginning of a new year, yet we do count our time based on that system.
Every time the old year rolls out and the new year enters it does cause us to reflect on the past and think about how we want to spend the future. In a sense it represents a new beginning. Yet, every day represents a new beginning. And the best "new beginning" is when with sins confessed, to realize Christ has forgiven our sins and invites us into a newness of life in a close walk of fellowship with Him.
I want to spend this coming Year in an ever closer relationship with my Creator, Savior, Lord, and Friend.
Amen sister,
And it has been a very eventful year! Pope Francis and the world at large seem to be driven toward disaster with most of the population trusting in governments and industries to care for them.
I had watched this video about a week or so ago. This is probably the most powerful video I've seen from Pastor Davis. I haven't watched the message before Jeremiah Davis by Moses Mason though, those two seem to travel together now.
One point I have wondered about ISIS is whether they are even Islamic? You never see their faces. I believe this is the Image of the Beast at work.