Orders Remain Unchanged.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

One of the most fascinating sites to visit in Washington D.C. is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. For 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, a platoon of 30 honor guards protects the tomb through rain, snow and even hurricanes! It's been guarded every minute of every day since 1937.

A single sentinel takes his post guarding carefully, walking exactly 21 steps then pausing for 21 seconds before turning around and continuing his duty. The number 21 is in reference to the 21 gun salute which is the military's highest honor given to a soldier. When the changing of the guard takes place, the orders are passed from one soldier to the next – "Orders Remain Unchanged."

As we get close to another New Year, let us continue to stand guard, watching and being ever alert of the times in which we live; and never forget that our "Orders Remain Unchanged!"

Dear Lord, we pray that we would stand guard as we get ready to enter a New Year.  Help us continue to take our orders from You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Have you made the big switch?

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

He soared to the top of recording charts, but one incident changed his life's course.

Tony Fontane was a popular American recording artist during the 1940's and 1950's. Born in Michigan, he was the son of a railroad worker who had converted to Christianity and moved the family to North Dakota where he operated a mission and lived in poverty. As a result, Tony hated religion. Singing was his passion, and he eventually flourished. He even celebrated notoriety on several television shows.

But life changed on September 3, 1957. Having just finished a television rehearsal, Fontane was driving to his California home when another driver ran a red light and plowed into his sports car. Rescue workers labored for several hours before successfully extricating him. He was rushed to the hospital where he remained in a coma for 30 days.

Fontane later wrote that it was while in a coma that God appeared to him in a vision and gave him one more chance. And he took it. He switched from atheism to Christianity and began a career in gospel music where he refused to sing anything else. As a result of a lawsuit with the William Morris Agency for breach of contract, he lost everything. But he actually gained it all when he made the big switch.

And this is true for anyone who chooses Christ. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. "The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

My old things passed away at nine years of age-not totally in practice but completely in God's sight. He took away the old sinful nature and gave me a new one with fresh wants, desires, and ambitions. No longer am I after what I or the world offers; I simply hunger to be obedient to him. Even if it costs me everything.

What better way to begin the New Year than in a relationship with Christ. Have you made the big switch?

Dear Lord, give us the courage to choose You over anyone and anything else that comes our way in this life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

10 Steps for a Great Year

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

While it's a good idea to take a look at your spiritual walk throughout the year, January 1st is often a time of renewal. A New Year, a New Start. So, instead of setting regular resolutions like losing weight, exercising etc., why not try to set goals to improve your relationship with God? Here are 10 ideas.

• Improve Your Prayer Life

Simple enough, right? Just get better at praying. It's not that easy. A lot of Christian make this resolution and soon fail, because they take too big a step at first. If you're not used to praying often, jumping into an active prayer life can be a daunting task. Maybe start off praying each morning when you get up, or even while you brush your teeth. Start off giving five minutes to God. Then maybe try adding another five minutes. Soon you'll find that you'll start going to God more often and for more things. Don't worry about what to talk to Him about, just talk. You'll be amazed by the results.

• Read Your Bible in a Year

Getting into the habit of reading the Word is also a common New Year's resolution for many Christian. There are plenty of Bible reading plans out there that guide you through reading your Bible in a year. It just takes discipline to open up the book every night. You may not even want to read the entire Bible, but rather use a year to focus on a specific topic or area of your life that you want God to help you improve. Find a reading plan that works for you.

• Help Other People

God calls on us throughout the Bible to do good works. Most churches have outreach activities or you can even find local volunteer opportunities in your comunity. There are so many people who just need a bit of assistance, and helping others is a great way to set a Christian example.

• Get Involved in Church

Most churches have small groups or Bible studies geared toward every Christian. If not, why not be the one to get a group together? Start your own Bible study or put together an activity that some of the others at church can enjoy. A lot of groups meet one day a week, and those meetings are a great way to meet new people who believe and can help you grow in your walk.

• Become a Better Steward

One of the most challenging issues for Christian is the idea of stewardship, which is the process of tithing. God calls on all Christians to be good stewards. In fact, money is mentioned far more often in the Bible than many other topics.

• Use a Devotional

Reading your Bible is an essential part of anyone's Christian walk, because it keeps your head in God's Word. Still, using a devotional helps you take the concepts in the Bible and apply them to your everyday life. There are numerous devotionals available,  so you should be able to find one that fits your personality, interests, or your place in your spiritual growth.

• Plant Some Seeds of Faith

How many times have you shared your faith with friends or family. Make it your goal this year to talk to a certain number of people about your faith. While it would be great if someone converted or "got saved" through your discussions, don't get too caught up on that number. You'd be amazed how many people will end up believers from a discussion you have about what God has done in your life. It just may not happen while you know them. Also, use platforms like your Facebook, twitter and Instagram profiles to demonstrate your beliefs. Plant many seeds of faith and let them grow.

• Get to know your family better

One of the most difficult relationships can be between parents and teens. Teens are at a time in their life when they are entering adulthood and want to start making their own decisions.  Teens need to remember they will always be their parents' child. Your different viewpoints make for some interesting conflict. Yet, God dictates that children should honor their parents and parents should not provoke their children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. So take some time to get to each other a little better. Do things with them. Share bits of your life with them. Even a small amount of quality time with your family will go a long way in helping your relationship.

• Go on a Mission trip

Not all mission trips are to exotic places, but almost all mission trips will change you forever. Between the spiritual preparations before you leave on your trip to the work you will do on the trip itself, God works through you and for you as you see people eager to hear about Christ and as you hear their appreciation for the things you are doing on your trip.

• Bring Someone to Church

A simple idea, but it takes a lot of courage to ask a friend to come to church. Faith is something most Christian have difficulty discussing with non-Christian friends, because it is often something very personal. Yet, many Christians would never have come to Christ without that one friend who asked them to come to church or talk about their beliefs. For every person who might shoot you down, there are two or three other people who will be curious about why your faith is so important to you. Taking them to church or church activities can help show them why.

Dear Lord, we thank You for the New Year you are giving to us. We pray that we will take the advantage of the New Year to become more like the people You would have us to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Conclusion: Myth Busted

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

In 1523, an English animal trainer named John Fitzherbert said, "The dog must be trained when he is a whelp, or else it will not be [trained]; for it is hard to make an old dog [find a new scent]." Today, we've summarized his insight into this well-known adage: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." It sounds good, but is it really true?

One of my two sons’ favorite shows on Netflex is a show that originates on the Discovery Channel called Mythbusters.  The goal of Mythbusters is to take timeworn adages like this one and see if they're true or false. So MythBusters' hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage decided to go after this one, too. They found a pair of aging Alaskan malamutes who didn't know a single trick in the book. Malamutes are known for their stubbornness. As 7-year-old canines, siblings Bobo and Cece were equivalent to a couple of 50-year-olds in dog years, arguably qualifying them for the "old dog" category. After four days of training, Bobo and Cece proved Fitzherbert flat wrong. Each could heel, sit, lie down, stay, and shake upon command from Jamie and Adam.

Their conclusion: Myth busted. You can teach old dogs new tricks.

As we head into the New Year no matter the rut you find yourself in you can make a change for the better. Take a minute today and ask God to give you the encouragement and strength to change from the old tricks and start new ones that will make you more like God wants for you to be.

Dear Lord, We thank You for the New year we are fast approaching. Help us to make that changes that You would have for us to make so that we would be more like You, so others will see You in us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

No Excuses in 2014

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

This is an alleged New Year’s letter written from a church member to the pastor of their church.

Dear Pastor:

You often stress attendance at worship as being very important for a Christian, but I think a person has a right to miss now and then. I think every person ought to be excused for the following reasons and the number of times indicated.

Christmas Holidays (the Sunday before & after) 2

New Year’s (the party lasted too long) 1

Easter (get away for the holidays) 2

July 4th (national holidays) 1

Labor Day (need to get away) 2

Memorial Day (visit hometown folk)        1

School closing (kids need a break) 1

School reopens (one last fling) 1

Family reunions (mine & wife’s) 3

Sleep late (stayed up too long Saturday night) 9

Deaths in family 2

Anniversary (second honeymoon) 1

Sickness (one per family member) 5

Business trip (a must) 1

Vacation (three to four weeks) 6

Bad weather (ice, snow, rain, clouds) 2

Ball games 2

Races 2

Unexpected company (can’t walk out) 2

Time changes (spring & fall) 2

Special on TV (superbowl, etc) 3

Pastor, that leaves two Sundays per year. So, you can count on us to be in church on the 4th Sunday in February and the 3rd Sunday in August unless we are providentially hindered.

Sincerely,

A Faithful Member

As we approach the New Year and everybody is talking about making resolutions from losing weight to getting in shape.  Let’s make a commitment to join together with God’s people at church where we can grow to be more like what God wants for each of us.

See you at church in 2014

Dear Lord, thank You for the new things You give us each and every day.  As we get ready to celebrate the beginning of 2014 help us make it a priority to attend church and be an encouragement to those you put in our path. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.  

Bad Goals Good Goals

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

As we get ready for a new year many people set it their goal to lose weight and exercise. I came across a list of exercises we would be better off staying away from in 2013.

1  Jumping on the bandwagon

 2  Wading through paperwork

  3  Running around in circles

   4  Pushing your luck

    5  Spinning your wheels

     6  Adding fuel to the fire

      7  Beating your head against the wall

       8  Climbing the walls

        9  Beating your own drum

         10 Dragging your heels

          11 Jumping to conclusions

           12 Grasping at straws

            13 Fishing for compliments

             14 Throwing your weight around

              15 Passing the buck

Let me suggest 5 things we can each do to bring us closer to God in the year 2013

#1 – Read the Red and Pray for the Power.

Instead of getting involved in another read the Bible through in a year program how about changing tactics? The reason we read our Bibles is not to gain knowledge. Knowledge alone is not enough and in all honesty, even in Christians, knowledge puffs up. If our intent is to get to know the Savior of our souls better and to grow in a deeper knowledge of the love of Christ towards us, then how about thinking outside the box and this year you make it a goal to read all the words printed in red in a red letter edition Bible? The red letters are the words of Jesus Himself. This can be done easily in 1 month’s time so you can do it 12 times in 1 year. If you read something 12 times do you think you will remember what is said? I do! Along with reading the red, pray that God will enable you by the power of the Holy Spirit to carry out what is written in the red. You can find a Red Letter Bible Here.

#2 – Skip a meal a week and give the money you save to the poor.

We all hear of people making New year’s resolutions to lose weight or eat healthier. Well how about making that goal something that actually has spiritual significance. In Isaiah, the prophet talks about a fast that God has ordained. He tells us to not only go without eating but to give the food we would have eaten to the poor. How about when you decide to eat less, you take that money that you save and give it to your local food bank or a charitable mission’s organization?

#3 – Let God be in control of your appointment book.

Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions to win more people to Jesus. To be more faithful in evangelizing their friends and families. They may start off good and actually speak up, but as the business of the year starts, this goal becomes forgotten in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Instead of making a goal of evangelizing, how about making the goal of starting every morning with the simple prayer for God to make you sensitive to His divine appointments throughout the day? Instead of limiting your goal to just evangelism that “you make an effort about”, make your goal to be more sensitive to “Divine appointments that God is making an effort about”? On your way to work or while taking your morning shower, just ask the Lord to keep you aware of His appointments for the day

#4 – Make biblical prosperity your goal.

Many people at New Year’s make resolutions to get a new job, make more money, buy a house or car, etc. They focus their attention on the world’s view of prosperity. I would like to challenge you to make biblical prosperity your goal. Biblical prosperity centers in on the health and wholeness of your spirit and soul. Make this year a year that you center in on how healthy you are spiritually and emotionally. Instead of getting into more debt where that brings anxiety to your heart, work on getting out of debt. Instead of taking on a second job just so you can have more toys, work on becoming content with what you have so you can spend more time with your children. Instead of taking a job that makes you work nights just so you can get a promotion, how about thinking outside the box and get your promotion at home by being the greatest spouse, parent, neighbor you can beChristian

#5 – Random words of kindness and mercy.

In the book of James, he writes that good water and bitter water should not come out of the same well. He is talking about the words we speak. This year how about making a goal that you are going to say random words of kindness and mercy to 1 person every day. That you will bless or compliment someone just because you can. Whether it be your spouse, your child, your neighbor, or the stranger standing in front of you in the grocery store, you are going to find one person every day that you can bless with words of kindness and mercy. As the Psalmist said in Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, My Rock and my Redeemer.

What better New Year’s goals can be made than a goal of doing something that will be pleasing to our God?

Dear Lord as we look forward to the New Year we pray that it would be in each of our hearts to do things that are pleasing to You. Help our faith and trust in You grow beyond what we can imagine this new year. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

New Years Day

Philippians 3:14 (New International Version)

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

On New Year's Day, 1929, Georgia Tech played University of California in the Rose Bowl. In that game a man named Roy Riegels recovered a fumble for California. Somehow, he became confused and started running 65 yards in the wrong direction. One of his teammates, Benny Lom, outdistanced him and downed him just before he scored for the opposing team. When California attempted to punt, Tech blocked the kick and scored a safety which was the ultimate margin of victory.

That strange play came in the first half, and everyone who was watching the game was asking the same question: "What will Coach Nibbs Price do with Roy Riegels in the second half?" The men filed off the field and went into the dressing room. They sat down on the benches and on the floor, all but Riegels. He put his blanket around his shoulders, sat down in a corner, put his face in his hands, and cried like a baby. If you have played football, you know that a coach usually has a great deal to say to his team during half time. That day Coach Price was quiet. No doubt he was trying to decide what to do with Riegels. Then the timekeeper came in and announced that there were three minutes before playing time. Coach Price looked at the team and said simply, "Men the same team that played the first half will start the second." The players got up and started out, all but Riegels. He did not budge. the coach looked back and called to him again; still he didn't move. Coach Price went over to where Riegels sat and said, "Roy, didn't you hear me? The same team that played the first half will start the second." Then Roy Riegels looked up and his cheeks were wet with a strong man's tears. "Coach," he said, "I can't do it to save my life. I've ruined you, I've ruined the University of California, I've ruined myself. I couldn't face that crowd in the stadium to save my life." Then Coach Price reached out and put his hand on Riegel's shoulder and said to him: "Roy, get up and go on back; the game is only half over." And Roy Riegels went back, and those Tech men will tell you that they have never seen a man play football as Roy Riegels played that second half.

As we enter the New Year let’s look forward to the great things that God has for us. We have each made mistakes in the past, let’s not dwell on them but press on to the goal that God has for us.

Dear Lord we thank You for the New Year that is before us. We pray that we would not get discouraged with our past failures but press on to the goal before us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Are You Ready to Make This the Best Year Ever?

Let’s make this coming year the best year ever. Make it your goal to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time.



• Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories.


• Share a funny story with someone whose spirits are dragging. A good laugh can be very good medicine.


• Vow not to make a promise you don’t think you can keep.


• Pay a debt.


• Give a soft answer.


• Free yourself of envy and malice.


• Encourage some youth to do his or her best. Share your experience, and offer support. Young people need role models.


• Make a genuine effort to stay in closer touch with family and good friends.


• Resolve to stop magnifying small problems and shooting from the lip. Words that you have to eat can be hard to digest.


• Find the time to be kind and thoughtful. All of us have the same allotment: 24 hours a day. Give a compliment. It might give someone a badly needed lift.


• Think things through. Forgive an injustice. Listen more. Be kind.


• Apologize when you realize you are wrong. An apology never diminishes a person. It elevates him.


• Don’t blow your own horn. If you’ve done something praiseworthy, someone win notice eventually.


• Try to understand a point of view that is different from your own. Few things are 100 percent one way or another.


• Examine the demands you make on others.


• Lighten up. When you feel like blowing your top, ask yourself, "Will it matter a week from today?"


• Laugh the loudest when the joke is on you.


• The sure way to have a friend is to be one. We are all connected by our humanity, and we need each other.


• Avoid malcontents and pessimists. They drag you down and contribute nothing.


• Don’t discourage a beginner from trying something risky. Nothing ventured means nothing gained. Be optimistic. The can-do spirit is the fuel that makes things go.


• Go to war against animosity and complacency.


• Express your gratitude. Give credit when it’s due—and even when it isn’t. It will make you look good.


• Read something uplifting. Deep-six the trash. You wouldn’t eat garbage—why put it in your head?


• Don’t abandon your old-fashioned principles. They never go out of style.


• When courage is needed, ask yourself, "If not me, who? If not now, when?"


• Take better care of yourself. Remember, you’re all you’ve got. Pass up that second helping. You really don’t need it. Vow to eat more sensibly. You’ll feel better and look better, too.


• Don’t put up with secondhand smoke. Nobody has the right to pollute your air or give you cancer. If someone says, "This is a free country," remind him or her that the country may be free, but no person is free if he has a habit he can’t control.


• Return those books you borrowed. Reschedule that missed dental appointment. Clean out your closet. Take those photos out of the drawer and put them in an album. If you see litter on the sidewalk, pick it up instead of walking over it.


• Give yourself a reality check. Phoniness is transparent, and it is tiresome. Take pleasure in the beauty and the wonders of nature. A flower is God’s miracle.


• Walk tall, and smile more. You’ll look 10 years younger.


• Don’t be afraid to say, "I love you." Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.


• If you have love in your life, consider yourself blessed, and vow to make this the best year ever.






Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.


-2 Corinthians 5:17 (New King James)






Dear Lord as we enter the New Year help us strive to be what you want us to be. Help us reach out to those around us and show your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.