Some Thoughts in Light of the coming Year

My annual tradition of giving a book to each who gathers along with a note is on track. The nature of the book for the year will help lead us, hopefully, to learn to live more above the fray of such a fast furious pace of life which we see every where. To wait on the Lord and to rest in Him takes practice and development through years of spiritual warfare. Many of you are learning to wait on the Lord. It is wonderful to gradually get to a place in our lives that we are less and less rattled by the ever changing circumstances of our lives. All about us are events that can unsettle our spirits at any moment. 
We must learn to be silent. We must learn to trust the Lord. We must learn to keep our minds stayed (leaning) upon Him. We must learn to rest in the Lord. We must learn to experience utter dependence on Him. We must learn that He is able to do all things. That He only does all things! And as we gradually learn this, we can have peace in our minds and souls no matter what is going on in our lives, homes, the church, and world in which we live. All things do and are working together for good for them who know and love Him and are called according to His purposes. So brethren, slow down and walk after the Spirit. Wait on the Lord.  Look to Him. Cast your cares on Him. Leave your burdens with the Lord. He will sustain you. Then arise and enjoy the Lord, do His bidding and make known His wonderful works!  Further, it is the life of His church to see some things happening. We are greatly affected when we see conversions, confession of sin, changes in lives, reconciliation between parties and love increased noticeably. Nothing stirs up a church more than a new life in Christ.  Some one who is born again. Therefore, let us pray and labor during this coming year that we might see this. What else are we living for as believers? Is there any thing more satisfying to our souls that to see true conversions, changes and increased love? I think not. Living for anything else above this will lead to vanity, disappointment or carnality which results in wasted lives. No, we want to spend our time here on earth doing His will. And His will is to know Him, glorify Him, love Him and to serve Him.  We are brought back to this time and time again. It is the purpose for which God made us. Let us, then, be at it. One thing that stands out more and more in seeing this is the need to learn to pray and cry out to the Lord. There has been an increase in prayer in the church lately. This is noticeable and a good thing. May the Lord increase our tribe! May we pray the prayers that are earnest and effectual.  May we as a church experience specific answers to specific prayers increasing this coming year. May then, brethren, it be a year in which we experience living our lives above the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye and the pride of life. A life lived in His presence. A life of perfect peace no matter what is happening around us. And may we, as we wait upon the Lord, work as never before for fruit that will remain for ever and ever. And may this year’s labor result in the salvation of many souls for Jesus’ sake!