Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: The Old Year Ends, A New One Begins!

Hello, and welcome to Saturday Scripture Gold!

First of all, I would like to wish you and your families a safe and wonderful New Year! 2011 was a blessed year for the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry, and we are looking forward to being blessed with another God-inspired year in 2012!

As a New Year begins, I am reminded of the fact that we are one year closer to the day of our death, or the day the Lord returns. In other words, that day when we shall stand before the Lord in judgment (2 Corithians 5:10). That is the day when He will either say, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34) or "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).

Since we are one year closer to that day when our final destiny will be forever determined, let me use this opportunity in a couple of ways. First, to provoke your thinking as to how you have used this past year, and second, to suggest some resolutions for the coming year.

I suppose you could say that my goal today is to encourage us to make better use of the time we have left, and to prepare us for the day of reckoning that awaits us. With this in mind, perhaps it would be a good idea to ask ourselves the following questions, about the past year, before we get to the resolutions. First off, "Has our relationship with God and Christ improved?" Have we drawn nearer to God (cf. James 4:8)? Bearing in mind that a close relationship depends upon good communication.

Have we been faithful in listening to God through His Word? Another year has gone by; did we read through the Bible this year? If not, and especially if we never have, can we honestly say that we are taking our relationship with God seriously? Have we been steadfast in talking to God through prayer? After all, any effective communication requires a two-way street. Therefore fervent Bible study should be joined with fervent prayer, Has our degree of prayerfulness increased or decreased this year?

Here's another question, "Has our relationship with brethren improved?" Has our love for one another increased this year? (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10). Are we any closer to one another than we were a year ago? For example, have we been in the homes of brethren?; have any of them been in our homes?; do we even know who our brethren are? Each year brings new members into the family of God. Have we made the effort to know them? Even by name?

My last question is, "Has our relationship with those in the world improved?" As people of God, we have an important responsibility toward those in the world (cf. Matthew 5:13-16). We have a responsibility to be a positive influence ("You are the salt of the earth") and to demonstrate a better way ("You are the light of the world")

In addition to the above, have we made progress this year in developing meaningful relationships with people in the world? Enough so that the light of Christ can be seen in our lives? So the gospel of Christ can be communicated to them? Or are we like most "neighbors" in this day and age. Living next to each other, but not really knowing each other?

Dear readers, the questions I am raising can be summarized in this way: "Another year has gone by; have we made good use of the time the Lord has given us, or have we wasted it?" It is likely that all of us in some degree have not made good use of the past year. But at this point, let's apply the words of Paul: "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

Now, with this attitude of pressing forward, allow me to suggest the following resolutions...

1. For the year ahead, resolve to draw nearer to God and Christ! How? You could have a daily reading program of God's living and abiding Word (Hebrew 4:12). Read the Old Testament this year (cf. Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:14-17). Read the New Testament, too! (James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:2) Become more diligent in prayer (Hebrews 4:14-16) Let's be a thankful people (cf. Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18) Perhaps Daniel's custom of praying three times daily would be worthy of emulation! (Daniel 6:10)

2. Resolve to become closer to the brethren. How? A good start could be by making it a point to learn every one's name (cf. 3 John 14) Get a directory, and each week, connect a couple of names and faces until you learn them all! Another option could to have a different person or family in your home each month (cf. 1 Peter 4:9)Remember, it doesn't have to be a fancy dinner, just a simple visit to become better acquainted. You could even visit a different person or family each month! It might not always be convenient to have people in your home. But you can arrange to visit them in their home (if you are alone, take someone with you).

3. Resolve to get to know non-Christians better. How? You could have one new neighbor or co-worker in your home each month (cf. Galatians 6:10); or visit one new neighbor or co-worker each month. It doesn't have to be a fancy meal or formal visit. It is amazing how far simple hospitality and neighborly kindness can go to build meaningful relationships in which opportunities can be created to share the gospel!

In closing, these resolutions may sound simplistic; but if implemented, they go a long way to producing the kind of lifestyle that is becoming of Christian. And to increasing closer relationships with God, our brethren, and the lost. You will find that these relationships will not only bless our lives, but be a blessing to the church and our community, which in turn will create a clearer conscience next year at this time!

Time is a precious commodity, given to us by God. It is truly like a vapor (cf. James 4:13-15); and needs to be carefully redeemed (cf. Ephesians 5:15-16) I hope that these suggestions for resolutions for a new year will help you in making better use of it!

I would like to end this last message of 2011 by sharing the following poem with you:

"A New Year, A New Beginning"

The old year ends, a new begins
With pages clean and new;
And what is written on each page
will now depend on you.

You can't relive the year that's past,
Erasing every wrong;
For once a year - or day - is spent,
It is forever gone.

But don't give up in dark despair
If you have failed some test;
Seek God's forgiveness and resolve
Henceforth to do your best.

Resolve each precious day to do
Things good and kind and pure;
Though days and years may pass away,
These things shall still endure.

You know not where your path may lead
Nor what's beyond the hill;
But know that God walks at your side,
If you will do His will.

All things are possible with God,
Though days be bright or dim;
So do your best and know that you
Can leave the rest to Him.
- Author Unknown

May your New Year be blessed!

Bibi