Another New Year

This week we will turn a page on our calendars. A new year will begin. Someone said an optimist stays up until midnight to greet the New Year. A pessimist stays up to be sure the old year departs. There are other differences between optimists and pessimists. Most churches have both in their membership. My question for both groups is: Is there a word from God for a new year? As a matter of fact there is and it comes from an ancient source. A transition was taking place. As Moses stood on Mt. Nebo and gave his farewell address, Joshua became the leader of God’s people. It was Joshua, not Moses, who would take them into the Promised Land. The Old Testament book of Joshua begins with a message from God to Joshua and continues with Joshua’s message to a people in transition. Joshua’s words are fitting for a new year with all its excitement and uncertainties, its reasons for optimism and for pessimism. “Joshua said to the people, ‘Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you’.” (Joshua 3:5) As the calendar turns, what do you need to do to “sanctify” yourself so the Lord can do wonders in and through you in 2009?

Let’s close this year praying for these global concerns:
• Pray for Joe as he transfers from Kazakhstan to the country of Georgia.
• Pray for T and J and their family. A local newspaper contained a letter against them and their church. The aim of the letter was not only to get them kicked out of the country but also to provoke extremist to harm them. The letter gave their home address.
• Pray for S and A as they seek to raise the last 1/3 of their support to serve in North Africa.
• Pray for the Missionary Kids (MKs), who will be attending the MK retreat this week in Western Europe.