Church family, “Happy New Year!” The holiday season is a great time to celebrate with friends and family and to remember the peace and joy brought through the birth of our savior.
We just came to the close of year three of THE WELL journey of reading through the Bible a chapter a day. I trust you have been faithful in your readings this year and are ready to begin year four. If you haven’t been reading through THE WELL, it’s not too late to start. Just pick one up and start reading. Join a D group or a Sunday School class that is using THE WELL for their Bible Study guide. It has the power to transform your life, I promise.
We started the 2023 year reading Deuteronomy and seeing God’s love for us, how much He has done for us and all He expects is our obedience. Be mindful of those around you and how the impact of your actions may affect them. Psalms 51:10 was our memory verse for the month of January, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”. Luke taught us that when God calls us, He gives us the power and equips us to do His work.
We ended the year in 2 Kings where we see the line of kings that continue to do evil in the sight of God and in spite of all that God still loves us and calls us to be His children. Psalms 100, according to one source is “a timeless reminder of God's unwavering love and mercy and encourages us to serve the Lord joyfully. Acts is one of my favorite books in all the Bible about the great journey of the early church and how the gospel was spread to all the world by our early church fathers through our commitment and determination to follow the Jesus. The charge Jesus leaves us in Acts 1:8 is our ministry statement.
As we leave 2023 and step out into 2024 with fresh new opportunities and challenges in our service to God and the church, let me encourage you to “Reflect” on last year, to celebrate the joys and learn from the struggles, knowing it is all part of this great journey God has us on. Then, “Refocus” on the year ahead and consider how your life will be different, what will excite you and motivate you, what are some of your dreams and ideas, who will you disciple and where will you serve.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” Ephesians 3:20
Wishing you all the season's best, may it be one that you feel blessed. We hope the holidays were joyous ones for you.
Dr. Bill Webb
Associate Pastor