Well, here we are at the end of another year - 2024. Can you believe it?! For some, the year couldn’t be over soon enough. For others, it was “It’s going too fast!”. Whatever it was for you, it’s a good time to pause and reflect. All throughout scripture, God’s people have been challenged to consider their ways (cf Haggai 1:5, 7, et al). Please take some time and do this. It will be a blessing for yourself, your family and your church. Your Lord will be pleased, also.
What kind of person were you in 2024? I know that’s a very broad question, but, generally speaking, how did you come across to people? Joyful, helpful, positive? Or distant, grumpy, negative?
Did you address those bad habits? Those nagging weaknesses?
Maybe you’re still hiding that “little sin” of yours? Is it time to bring it out into the light and handle it?
If you are married, would you say your relationship is better now than at the beginning of the year? What do you still need to work on? Are you helping each other grow in the Lord?
What about prayer? Have you been talking with God more as the year progressed? Are you becoming more dependent on Him?
What about your personal Bible reading and study? How’s that going? What truths have you learned which changed your life or just helped you grow to be more like Christ?
What about the assembly and Bible class? Did you make every effort to be there, to participate and to encourage others? When you didn’t make it, do you think God was pleased with your reason?
Were you a servant, or did you wait to be served? How well did you use your gifts, skills and resources for His kingdom?
We could go on.
Please take a little time and read our text from Proverbs. What is the Holy Spirit teaching you? Admonishing you? It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: If I continue down the same path, doing the same things, nothing will improve; nothing will get better. I’ll be in the same place next year, perhaps even further away from the Lord. And that’s not a good place to be. Hmmm?
><> Jeff
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