Happy New Year!

By Pastor Mark McAdow
Last Sunday, on New Year’s Day, we addressed the question, “What is God’s Will for me in 2023?”  by looking at Romans 12:1-2 and I Thessalonians 5:18-22.  The core was three simple things:  (1) Be joyful always!  (2) Pray continually, and (3) Give thanks in all circumstances.  Why?  "… For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – I Thess. 5:16-18.

I love it when God’s will is so clear! We also discovered that the real question is not “What is God’s will for me in 2023?” but simply “What is God’s will?”  If you ask the wrong question, you will get the wrong answer.  We discovered in our Experiencing God Bible study this fall that the focus is never to be on us, but on Him!

Jesus never failed to do the will of his Heavenly Father.  He never sinned.  Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing.  For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things.  For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works than these so that you will be amazed” – John 5:19-20.  Our opportunity is to see what The Lord is doing around us and to join Him!

As we begin this new year, please pray with me that we will see what the Lord is doing clearly and we will join Him in his mission in Enid and beyond!  We’re hosting an all-church prayer meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. to further discern God’s will together.  I pray you will be present if able.

If you’re blessed to be married, our first ministry after Jesus is to our spouse.  Author Sally Albright suggests The Top New Year’s Resolutions for Couples. It seems timely, so I’ve included it here for your prayerful consideration:

10:  Exercise Together – Exercising together as a couple can make getting more exercise fun, and you and your spouse can truly have a “healthy” relationship.
9:  Cook Together – Cooking dinner together is a great way to spend time together.
8:  Play Games Together – Take the time to have some fun with your spouse by playing games together – especially in the colder winter months.
7:  The Little Things – Sometimes, it’s the littlest things that really do matter. Something as simple as setting the coffee machine to brew in the morning or opening the car door for your spouse can really show how much you care.
6:  Get Romantic – The types of romantic gestures you do really depends on what your spouse considers to be romantic, whether it be bouquets of flowers or cuddling together and watching a football game on TV.
5:  Listening – Truly listen. Keep in mind that your spouse isn’t always in search of answers and may not want to receive advice. They just want your ears all to themselves.
4:  Fewer Arguments – Make a New Year’s resolution to argue less. Pick your battles wisely. Most importantly, learn to compromise.
3:  Compliments – Taking the time to compliment your spouse shows them that you do still love them, you appreciate them, and you still find them attractive. Surprise your loved one with compliments during appropriate times, such as when they have dress up for a dinner out, do a job well done, or the way they handled your child’s misbehavior.
2:  Dates – A little alone time with your spouse can be all that you need to feel reconnected with them. Having a special date night at the end of the week can give you and your loved one something to look forward to.
1:  Saying "I Love You" – Say it often, say it with meaning. A simple "I Love You" can melt someone’s heart.
 
Just so you know, I love you too!  You are some of my all-time favorite people! Happy New Year!

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Mark

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