Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and an old one ends,
We contemplate what brought us joy,
And we think of our loved ones and our friends.

Recalling all the happy times,
Remembering how they enriched our lives
We reflect upon who really counts,
As the fresh and bright new year arrives.

And when I/we ponder those who do,
I/we immediately think of you.

Thanks for being one of the reasons I'll/We'll have a Happy New Year!

Q: I'm very scared about the future, especially after all the economic turmoil we've seen in recent months. Are these signs that Jesus is about to return? I understand that things will get worse and worse just before He comes, and it looks like this is what's happening. - R.M.

A: The Bible does indicate that life will become very difficult before Christ comes again: "For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now" (Matthew 24:21).

Are we living in those days? The Bible warns us against setting dates or trying to make precise predictions, and we need to remember that the world has gone through hard times before. But the Bible does give us a number of other signs or events that must take place before Christ returns - and many of these seem evident today. For example, Jesus said that "this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world ... and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14). Never has this been more possible than today, with satellites and the Internet making the Gospel accessible to millions around the world.

Instead of being fearful about the future, I urge you to be optimistic - because of Christ. He alone is our hope, for someday He will return to establish His perfect Kingdom of righteousness and peace. Keep your eyes on Him.

In the meantime, ask God to help you make whatever adjustments you need to during these difficult days, and to trust the future into His hands. The Bible says, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have" (Hebrews 13:5). This may seem hard - but it's the way of peace.

Full Original Serenity Prayer
by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

...then you will be excited. You will be anxious to learn more about Him and experience His companionship. The way to do this is to spend time with Him.

The quiet time you spend with God each day will become a source of inner strength and peace for you. This is the time that brings order and meaning to the rest of the day.

REJOICE!

"Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? -- Matthew 6:25

One of the hardest things to do is 'take a break' without feeling guilty and selfish; or worse, feeling like a failure because everything on your 'to do' list didn't get done. Here's a news flash: there will always be more to do! One of your biggest challenges will be learning the difference between setting high standards for yourself - and setting unrealistic, impossible ones.

We claw our way to success then discover we don't like the pressures that go with it. So what should we do? Learn to walk away! Jesus did. "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done… Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.' So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place" (Mark 6:30-32 NIV). Jesus understood that if you don't take a break - you'll break!

So: (a) make a list of the things that only you can do, then delegate the rest or let them go; (b) learn to take small steps and celebrate small accomplishments for that's what life is made of; (c) don't allow the stuff that's still undone, to undo you. (d) Strive for balance; don't become addicted to what you enjoy; (e) don't allow overachievers to put you into overdrive. You're in for the long haul. You win when you pace yourself; (f) take time for the people who matter, otherwise you'll lose them. Busyness is a destroyer of relationships. All the success in the world won't compensate for the joy and treasure of your family and your loved ones!

45Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

From Godswork Ministry Email I bring a little something to you, with our list in need of salvation in mind.  The fields are white unto harvest!

We who have put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ to be our Lord and
personal Savior have received a gift that will last forever.  The Lord
saves us from death to life and from eternal darkness and damnation to His
eternal light and joy.  This gift is not meant to be kept to ourselves, but
is to be spread to all people sharing with them the treasures that the Lord
Jesus possesses in Himself.  He is the gift that we receive when we come to
Him in repentance and in exchange for our sins, He gives us His forgiveness
and peace that surpasses all understanding.  If you know of the joy that I
speak of, then it is a mandate on your life to share with others what you
know in your heart is true. (Philippians 4:7-8) (Romans 10:13-15)

I hope you are both challenged and inspired by today's message to share
the gospel of Jesus Christ with all those who don't know Him in truth and
realize that your intervention if accepted will be appreciated for all
eternity by the receiver.


JUDGMENT DAY

I was standing at the seat of judgment, waiting for my turn
Thinking of the houses and the treasures I would earn
Thinking of how I'd lived my life just as a Christian should
Thinking of how I'd always done what was right and what was good.

I knew that when my turn would come with the Father and the Son
They would look at me and my life and say to me “Well Done”
I knew that I was sinless, and my life beyond reproach
I got more excited as my time began to approach.

But just then I looked around and who should I see,
But the lady that I worked with, just down the hall from me
We always passed each other with a wave and a smile
And when the time would allow we would chat for a little while
We would talk about our jobs, our kids, and various little things.

Our conversations always pleasant and laughter it would bring
Just then she looked up, and her teary eyes locked with mine
And my smile faded when I realized she was in the other line
She began to speak the words that broke my heart in two
It pains me now to remember as I share these words with you.

She said “Why didn't you tell me about the God that you do know,
You went to church each week but never invited me to go?
You never told me of his saving mercy, that he died on the cross
And now it is too late for me and my soul's eternally lost
I see you saved yourself and that you are among the chosen few,
But tell me, couldn't you have made an effort, to try and save me too?”

Just then I sat straight up in bed, my heart pounding in my chest
Thank God it was just a dream, but my spirit still couldn't rest
I realized that I couldn't keep my God a secret among friends
But that I must learn to always share the hope that the gospel lends.

So I encourage you not to wait until it is too late
Go and tell everyone you meet that your God is so, so great!

Author Unknown

Q: Why do so many churches have problems and conflicts? In our case, it comes from older members who don't want to welcome some of the new people who've moved into our area, but it could be almost anything. Why is this? -- Mrs. N.D.

A: Not all churches have problems and conflicts, of course; in my experience, most are marked by love and peace, and are far more harmonious than most secular institutions. The Bible says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace" (Colossians 3:15).

Why do conflicts, however, sometimes occur in churches? There may be many reasons (at least on the surface). Whatever the immediate problem, however, the real cause is usually a failure to put Christ and His will first. Sometimes, for example, a person or a small group of people will try to control everything that takes place, instead of seeking God's will or being sensitive to the concerns of others. They have forgotten the Bible's command to "serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:13).

But there is a deeper reason why churches sometimes have conflicts. It is this: Satan knows that one of God's most effective tools is a church that is committed to Christ and is actively doing His will -- and the devil will do everything he can to block God's work and bring confusion to His people. The Bible warns, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

Don't become disillusioned with your church. Instead, ask God to make you a peacemaker, and to help others catch a vision for reaching their neighborhood -- and our world -- for Christ.

Tonight I share with you a devotional from the Vine for you to ponder: