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God loves a cheerful giver! 2 Corinthians 9:7
Happy New Year!
New Beginnings are God’s gift to all of us. Morning is a gift of a new day. Birthdays are the gift of a new year. Sundays are the blessing of a new week. New Year is the opportunity to start something new. Let’s take a few minutes and think of some new habits to begin this year:
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Reading God’s Word every day. How about accepting the challenge of reading a chapter out of the Word each day? I want to put forth that ACTS is the book to read this year. In 2023, First was challenged to read through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and get to know Jesus more. Now, building on the Gospels, the Book of Acts reveals the Church, it’s birth and early mission to share Jesus with the world.
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Talking to God and Listening to His Spirit. How about spending more time in prayer? One of the things that Jerry Fine suggested in ONE-ON-ONE with God was to tell God you love Him every hour. Try it during January. Every hour that you are awake, take time to tell God “I Love You, God.” See if you can do it every hour, every day, for the month of January. Life has distractions. See how you do?
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Readers are leaders and leaders are readers. How about taking the challenge to read some great Christian books this year. Let me give you a few from the best all time list:
a. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. It is a powerful apologetic about why we should
believe in Jesus.
b. Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This must read shares the radical, unconditional,
self-sacrificing love of the God of the universe for us. It will move you to love with
abandon.
c. Knowing God by J.I. Packer. This classic is a deep look into who God is and how we
can relate to Him in a close relationship through Jesus Christ.
d. The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. This best seller puts for the evidence to defend the
faith in a world of skeptics.
e. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Many churches studied this book and found it
lays out the foundation for why we are here and what really matters.
f. More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell. This evangelistic book puts forth the claims
of Jesus and how you can know that He is the true messiah.
g. Heaven by Randy Alcorn. Alcorn is a wonderful writer and this book has many answers
about our eternal home.
h. Drop by the Church Library and find many more great books to read this year.
4.Love Your Neighbor 2024. How about continuing the challenge of getting to know the people
who live, work, and play around you each day. In 2023, First was challenged to get to know the
8 people who live next door and across the street and behind you as neighbors. Then, look for
opportunities to do something for them. Let’s continue this year and add to it targeting some
neighborhoods with ministry and love. Join the movement of Jesus – Love Your Neighbors!
5.Plan on Going on a Mission Trip. How about taking the challenge to do missions here in
Stephenville and beyond. First will be having a family mission trip, missions for children and
youth, a University Mission Trip, a community mission week, and trips to places beyond. Pray as
a family about participating in one of these mission opportunities. Now is the time to say YES to
God. He WILL work out the details for those who are willing to follow.
The New Year is here. These are just a few suggestions to start each of us thinking about how we can begin this time for God. What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart? Will you say, “Yes, LORD, Yes”?
Blessings in the New Year,
Pastor Ken
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