May This New Year Be Filled With Blessings of Peace

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 KJV; New Year’s Day 2025; Be blessed with peace as you are reconciled to God in Christ Jesus. 

Ambassadors for Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 KJV; Sunday of the Baptism of our Lord; baptized into the Body of Christ we have been made new and reconciled to God; therefore, we are now not just children of God; but, ambassadors for Christ.

A New Year And A New Path To Follow!

Isa 43:16, 18-19 KJV; As you make plans for changes in the new year; include the will of God in those plans!

A New Year In Christ

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 KJV; Celebrate the new year for in Christ you have been made new. You do get a new start every single day!

A New Day; A New Year, With Peace

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

                                                                        (2 Cor 5:17-19 KJV)

May God bless this new year richly for each and everyone of us!  I believe that he will. The old has gone away so let us not cling to our old ways.  This year let there be reconciliation with God and with one another for all people. Let there be peace.

The last two years have seen an influx of crime; of hate, in this country. It is time to stop living in the darkness and relish the good things that God has provided us with. Such an old saying; but, "Take time to smell the roses!"

In Christ we have been forgiven our sins so why do we continue, in so many cases, to willfully sin?  Just, why!! As Christ has forgiven us, let us forgive one another and live in peace!

May God help each and every one of us to strive to live reconciled to one another in peace in the coming years. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

A New Year; A New Day, Is Dawning

Psalm 139:9-10

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jer 29:11 KJV)

I believe that God has a plan. Humankind also seems to have a plan and the powers that be don't always seem to have a very good plan for us. It does not really matter in the larger scheme of things. 

No matter what we think about the hand that we were dealt in 2020 we do not have to continue to live in the darkness nor the isolation that the past year so many people experienced. Go and stretch your wings. Every day in Christ is a new day. Every day in Christ is an opportunity to live life! 

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Cor 5:17)

Yesterday is gone. We cannot get it back. But, we can begin again this day and tomorrow and the day after. Step out of the darkness and live in his marvelous light.  Darkness is death and life is the light of Christ. As a new year dawns live life according to the good and gracious plan of God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Changes For The Glory Of God

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.  (Psalm 90:12 KJV)

It is never too late to change. Then again, it may be too late. We can never know when the number of our days runs out and there is no more time to live life; to enjoy life. 

When the number of our days comes to an end what will we have contributed to humankind? Will we have contributed to the well being of others or have we been a detriment to the life and growth of others.

Jesus did not live and die for himself. He lived and died and lives again for the sake of humankind. He did not think about himself before he willingly sacrificed himself for us. He sole purpose was to save us from ourselves; from our own sinful ways.

So what shall we do as Christians? Shall we live solely for ourselves and our own gratification or live life to the glory of God following in Jesus' footsteps to the cross?

It is the beginning of a new year, maybe it would be wise to take stock of how we have lived our lives and maybe make a few changes that we might live life more fully in the presence of God.

Let us all pray for the wisdom of God that we might live our lives to the glory of God in thankfulness for what Jesus' has done for us. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Count The Cost This New Year

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

                                                 (Luke 14:27-28 KJV)

It is a tradition as each new year arrives to look back a bit and evaluate what was good and also what may have been better in our lives. Then we sit down and make a few plans for the upcoming year(s). As we plan for any future changes in our lives it is only wise to count the cost of those changes we desire. Are they feasible? Can we afford them financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually? 

This year we sold one home and bought yet another. It required a lot of praying for direction as the home we purchased had been foreclosed on by HUD. The financial cost was doable. However, this morning my body is aching pretty good. As with many foreclosed homes there is a lot of damage and a lot of work to be done. After a couples of weeks we finally got hot water into the house yesterday so my granddaughter Ashley and I started shampooing carpets and washing walls last night. My shoulders did not care at all for all that reaching up to get the cobwebs out of the corners! After a couple more days of cleaning, I do believe my body will adjust. 

As Ashley and I were digging a trench for wiring last week, she wanted to know why anyone would buy a home if you had to dig trenches before you could live in it. I am so accustomed to having to repair homes that we've purchased that I never considered that digging trenches would be out of the norm! But, her question made me think about whether young people today have a grasp of what it means to be willing to pay the whole price for anything. When they say they are going to get something that they want have they truly counted the cost? There is indeed a cost for the decisions we make because there are consequences, either good or bad, for both what we choose to do or choose not to do. 

As young people plan for their futures after High School are they figuring in their ability to accomplish what they are planning? Many school counselors have pushed for everyone to go to college and to set as many youth on a college bound track for quite a few years now. However, not all students have the gifts needed or even the desire to go for a four or more year degree. Many are more suited to a particular trade which can be accomplished through trade or technical schools.

Other youth might plan to join the Armed Services. I have reminded many young people that they need to count those costs. Not everyone is equipped to served in the military. Military service requires not just physical endurance; but, mental and emotional well being as well. 

Prayer (communication with God) and planning go hand in hand. With His help we can much better grasp what our gifts are and if we can pay the price of whatever it is that we are about to commit to.

Prayer (communication with God) will also help us to know how to take up our cross and follow Jesus. The gift of life and salvation are free gifts from God. But, when you decide to follow Jesus there is a cost. The path; the way of Christ, you follow will not be understood by everyone. Some will even despise you for taking up your cross and following the path that Jesus leads you on. It will not be easy. But, Christ is with you as you journey on the path that he has prepared for you. 

May the peace of the Lord be with you as you journey with him through this and future new years.

God's Peace - Pr. J.