From the Pastor’s Desk – January 2023

At the beginning of a New Year, a high school principal decided to post his teachers’ New Year’s resolutions on the bulletin board. As the teachers gathered around the bulletin board, a great commotion started. One of the teachers was complaining. “Why weren’t my resolutions posted?” She was throwing such a temper tantrum that the principal hurried to his office to see if he had overlooked her resolutions. Sure enough, he had mislaid them on his desk. As he read her resolutions he was astounded. This teacher’s first resolution was not to let little things upset her in the New Year. I don’t know how you are doing on your New Year’s resolutions. I do know something that is more important than resolutions, though. How do you see this New Year? Is it one that you approach with anxiety or anticipation?

What are we afraid of as we look toward 2023? Failure? My friends, let me remind you:

Failure doesn’t mean you’ll never make it.
It does mean you have to do it differently.

Failure doesn’t mean you don’t have it.
It does mean you have to make some deep changes.

Failure doesn’t mean you’ll never succeed.
It does mean it will take longer.

Failure doesn’t mean you’re a fool to try again.
It does mean you have the courage to keep making noble commitments and great resolutions.

Failure doesn’t mean God doesn’t answer prayers.
It does mean that God has a better idea.

How about considering these Christian Resolutions for the New Year:
Like Paul, forget those things which are behind and press forward.
Like David, lift up my eyes to the hills from which my help comes.
Like Abraham, trust my God implicitly.
Like Enoch, walk in daily fellowship with my heavenly Father.
Like Moses, suffer rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time.
Like Job, be patient and faithful in all circumstances.
Like Joseph, turn my back on all evil advances.
Like Gideon, advance even when my friends are few.
Like Andrew, strive to lead my brother to Christ.

As always, I welcome your comments.
Happy New Year,
Pastor Cory