Pulpit to Pew by Pastor Richard Eckman, Jan. 1979:
“I resolve to read my Bible daily.”
I’m a New Year’s resolution left over from last year and the year before that. Really I’m still in good condition because I’ve had very little use. Two years ago when I was made, my resolver followed me faithfully for several weeks, then I was crowded out by many other things: Special TV programs, a need for more sleep, “more interesting” material to read, too much snow to shovel, etc. – A year ago I was resurrected and set forth once again but not with as much exuberance. Last year I lasted only a week. Then the Bible was placed on a shelf, buried under other magazines and books and I was soon forgotten. I wonder if I will even come to mind this year. I hope so, for God has said “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed…” and “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.”
Testimony by Marge Kammeraad:
I was saved on May 5, 1970. I had always thought I was saved as a child, but I realized that night that I was really trusting in my parent’s salvation and not an experience of my own. That night we had a youth activity at Gebhardt’s farm. While in the barn, Pastor led me to the Lord. Three months later I was baptized in a lake on the same farm. Presently I am a student at Maranatha Baptist Bible College and I am majoring in Bible and Elementary Education. The Lord willing in a year and a half I will be teaching somewhere where He leads – getting married too! The Lord has been good to me and dealt bountifully with me!
Children’s Church by Trina Podgornik:
Christmas has come again and brought with it decorated trees, gifts and cards. However, in Junior Church we try to teach the children that Christmas is not boxes and bows, trimmings, trees or Santa Claus. Christmas is a day set aside on which we celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The children hear stories of how the Babe of Mary was lain in a manger and more importantly, how He grew up, gave His life on the cross for our sins, and then rose again to be our eternal Savior. This Savior is God’s “Christmas Gift” to us. Won’t you receive God’s gift to you for the New Year?
WORDS OF FAITH FOR THE NEW YEAR
As you look forward to a new year, sit down with your Heavenly Father. Under His loving eye think through this spiritual checklist. Ask God, by His Holy Spirit, to reveal your lack of faith and make real to you His abundant provisions through Jesus Christ. May your prayer be: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer.” -Psalm 19:14
- No longer need I talk of fearbecause God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
- No longer need I talk of weakness because Jesus said all things are possible to him that believes. (Mark 9:23) No longer need I talk of unworthiness because He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- No longer need I talk of defeat because God always causes me to triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
- No longer need I talk of poverty because God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
- No longer need I talk of failure because this is the victory that overcomes the world, even my faith. (1 John 5:4)
- No longer need I talk of insecurity because safety is of the Lord. (Proverbs 21:31)
- No longer need I talk of discouragement because I can do all things through Christ Who strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)
- No longer need I talk of cares and worries because I can cast all my care upon Him, for He cares for me. (1 Peter 5:7)
- No longer need I talk of loneliness because He has promised, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)
- No longer need I talk of discontent because He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalm 107:9)
- No longer need I talk of ignorance because His Word says, if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God Who gives to all men liberally without reproach and it shall be given to you. (James 1:5)
- No longer need I talk of death because Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
- No longer need I talk of hate because the love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost which his given unto me. (Romans 5:5)
- No longer need I talk of condemnation because there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
I said to a man who stood at the gate of the year; “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied, “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way.”