January 2003

“Celebrate the Lord!”

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Happy New Year! Is shouted around the world. People from the smallest village in Asia to Times Square in New York City are saying, "Hello" to a brand new year. I love to bring in the New Year. As a Youth pastor, I loved to bring together the youth group for the annual New Year's Eve All Night Party and then sleep through most of the football games on the first day of the year. To be honest, some years I have said "Big Deal" and went to bed at 10:30. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that we can turn this into a time to "Celebrate the Lord!" What a great time to remember the many blessings of the previous year. Psalms 107 proclaims the song, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever." Whether last year brought many shouts of joy or many tears, whether it brought great answers or just more questions, whether you struggled in defeat or reveled in victory, you can "Celebrate the Lord". God walks with us and loves us at all times. His faithful love endures forever!

But not only am I reminded of God's faithfulness on January 1, I am also reminded of God's forgiveness. He is the God we mostly forget or fail at miserably. We hope to make major changes in some part of our life. We are trying to begin again in many ways. But we can "Celebrate the Lord" because forgiveness is through Jesus Christ and not our good works or intentions. He wipes the slate clean as we repent of our sins. In the first book of John chapter 1 verse 9, we celebrate as we learn, "If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." What a great truth to remember as we begin the New Year. So when the count down begins, 10, 9, 8, 7 get ready to Celebrate the Lord.

May God Bless You,

Pastor Craig