Happy New You!

It's a familiar scene every December 31st. Crowds of people huddled together in Times Square, New York, waiting with anticipation for the ball to drop ushering in a New Year. At the end of 2022, there was even more excitement for people to be gathered together after missing out during the covid pandemic. The countdown begins at 11:55 as the ball slowly makes its way down the pole until at 12am, the New Year's sign lights up 2023! The crowd cheers, couples embrace, confetti falls, and there's a renewed sense of hope that the old year is erased and somehow the New Year is going to be better. However, the reality is that although the page has turned on an old year, the New Year doesn't guarantee much in the way of change or even hope. People make New Year's resolutions that are quickly forgotten, there are ongoing wars and conflicts in various parts of the world, our government remains in chaos, and yes, the "c" word "covid" hangs on with new variants popping up faster than epidemiologists are able to keep track. People want to believe that situations and circumstances will improve but the reality is the hope that the world offers can become at times nothing more than wishful thinking. So what is there to look forward to? 

We Can Become New!

The Bible offers a hope that goes beyond wishful thinking. In fact the Bible talks about how individuals can become new. This is not a resolution but a revelation! This is not something that takes place only at the beginning of a New Year but can take place each and every day of each and every year. Paul states in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!" (NIV) In Jesus Christ there is a hope that is permanent, purposeful, and eternal. All of our sins have been forgiven, past, present, and future through the shedding of His blood and His resurrection. We don't need to resolve that we will do better next year, for in Christ we don't have to earn our way to God. In Christ, God sees us as His children and as co-heirs with Christ and gives us His Holy Spirit. Paul tells us in Romans, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." (Romans 8:14-17 NIV) 

God Is At Work

 God has promised us that He is actively in the process of making everything new and we will one day see and experience a new heaven and a new earth and not merely continue on with the same difficulties rolling into another New Year. (Revelation 21:1-5) So as we move through 2023, we will face many challenges ahead of us, some carried over from last year and some new to this year. Jesus tells us, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b NIV) This good news is our real and true hope for the years to come!

Peace and blessings,

Pastor Sheree 

What's On Your Christmas List?

Prior to starting my work day, I like to get up early and exercise. I have equipment in my basement and a CD player where I listen to music while exercising. Since it is the Christmas season, I have been listening to some of my favorite contemporary Christian artists. One of my favorite artists is Amy Grant. She recorded a song many years ago that is still played during the Christmas season. It's entitled, "My Grown Up Christmas List." In the song she contrasts how the things she longed for on her Christmas list as a child changed dramatically as an adult. The refrain states, "No more lives torn apart, That wars would never start, And time would heal all hearts. And everyone would have a friend, And right would always win, And love would never end, This is my grown up Christmas list." Doesn't this refrain echo the feelings of so many of us in this world filled with chaos, hatred, wars, and destruction? In fact the sentiments in the refrain of this song can be repeated year after year. Is there any hope that these song lyrics will ever come true? The answer is a resounding YES! 

JESUS IS THE ANSWER

This reality came true in the birth of the One we celebrate this Christmas season. God sent His Son into the world as the gift of hope for a world in darkness. Jesus' birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection brought purpose to life in the midst of a fallen world and eternal life for all who are committed to follow after Him. In Revelation 21:1-5, God provides an answer to the refrain of the song. "Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." While this vision that John experiences speaks of what is yet to come when Christ finally returns the second time as reigning and conquering King, the Old Testament foreshadows the coming of Christ the first time in Messianic passages such as Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; and Isaiah 11:1-6. Many of the Old Testament prophets like Isaiah were prophesying to the people at a time of great turmoil when it appeared there was no hope. I have no doubt the people at that time could empathize with the refrain of Amy Grant's song. In the New Testament we read about the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies in Christ. 

TRUE HOPE

 So what's on your grown up Christmas list? Does your heart's desire echo the refrain of the song? Do you grow weary in hoping that things will get better with each Christmas and New Year? Do you live a life filled with purpose and hope? It is possible and the words Amy Grant sings in her refrain are made real in Jesus Christ. That is the reason we celebrate Christmas. For our hope does not lie in what this world has to offer but in the One who is the hope of the world! "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV) 

Have a blessed Christmas!

Pastor Sheree

Weapons For War

August 24, 2022 marks the celebration of Independence Day for the people of Ukraine. It is also 6 months to the day since Russia invaded Ukraine and started what seems to be a never ending conflict. One of the consistent requests of Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky from the United States and its allies is for more weapons that will be able to counter the onslaught of Vladimir Putin's army. So far the Ukrainian forces have been able to hold off a total takeover of their country, however the war has taken a devastating toll on Ukraine and its people. Do you realize, we are also in a war? It is a battle that is ongoing and never ending. It's not a war that results in the destruction of material possessions or even displacement to another state or country. It is an unseen battle. A struggle for something more precious than any thing on this earth. It is a spiritual battle for the souls of humanity. 

THE ENEMY IS FORMIDABLE.

The Bible tells us that our opponent is Satan, which is not his name, but rather it means the "Adversary." Peter alerts believers in 1 Peter 5, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8 NIV) The imagery is very powerful! Jesus also warns His followers in the gospel of John, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV) Here again from the lips of Jesus we read some graphic and intense language. The reality is the devil ain't playin'! So, given the gravity of the situation, where do we get our weapons for war? Where are our reinforcements for this unseen battle? Conventional weapons like rockets, bombs, and guns will not be able to fight this battle. The apostle Paul is quite clear about the challenge we face, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12 NIV) 

OUR WEAPONS ARE GREAT.

What appears like a hopeless situation is actually a hope-filled opportunity. For we have the greatest and most powerful ally on our side, the God of the universe! His Presence is our greatest weapon! Paul tells us that God Himself even supplies us with our "battle gear" to take on the challenges we face. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the devils schemes....Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." (Ephesians 10-11;13-18 NIV) The weapons used to fight a visible enemy have the potential to be destroyed or rendered inoperable. However, the weapons God has given us will never become exhausted or worn out. 

GOD IS WITH US.

Our responsibility is to be prepared to use what's available to us by the grace of God to fight each day's battle. The good news is we are not fighting the war alone. God is with us! The Psalmist declares, The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation." (Psalm 18:2 NIV) Today, we as believers can be encouraged with the same words with which Moses encouraged the Israelites when they faced a seemingly impossible situation at the Red Sea, "The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still." (Exodus 14:14 NIV)  I am sure the Ukrainian people are tired of the conflict. Likewise, we as believers sometimes grow weary from the spiritual battle as well as life's challenges. However, we have already won the victory over our adversary through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Moreover, when Jesus established His church, He guaranteed that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:17-19) So take heart and keep "suiting up" every day with the armor of God as we await the return of our King!

Hallelujah!

Pastor Sheree