"A Fresh Start"
- Derek Staples
- | Jan 5, 2009
- | Series: Monday Morning Manna
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"A Fresh Start"
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5: 15-17)
What a great time to be a believer. We have embarked upon an incredible journey as we approach 2009. I came across a list of things to ponder this year that I thought you would enjoy:
1. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk I have a work station.
2. Can atheists get insurance for acts of God?
3. If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it FedUP?
4. What hair color do they put on the driver's licenses of bald men?
5. Tell your kids that there are 400 billion stars and they'll believe you. Tell them a bench has wet paint and they have to touch it.
Many of us look for a fresh start as we approach the New Year. I wonder how many of the "Top 10 New Year's Resolutions For 2009" are on your list of priorities:
1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
2. Get Fit
3. Tame the Bulge
4. Quit Smoking
5. Enjoy Life More
6. Quit Drinking
7. Get out of debt
8. Learn Something New
9. Help Others
10. Get Organized
The trouble comes when new resolutions collide with old habits. As I pondered Paul's admonition to "walk carefully and spend time wisely", I made a list of "Resolutions" for our church family. I shared these yesterday to begin our "Fresh Start" message series. If each of us would make these a priority in our lives, our impact would be immeasurable. Here's the list:
1. Make sure you and your family know Jesus personally.
2. Read your Bible daily. (I Peter 1:23 - 2:2)
3. Know and embrace our vision statement. Our eight-word vision statement: "Connecting People to Christ and to One Another."
4. Seek intimacy with Christ through prayer. (James 5:16)
5. Pray for our church each week.
6. Be committed to weekly worship.
7. Be part of a connection group.
8. Serve on a ministry team.
9. Be faithful to give generously. Billy Graham says, "If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life."
10. Share Christ with at least one person this year.
11. Look for opportunities to be on mission. Our Honduras Medical Mission Trip is June 27 - July 4, 2009. The cost is $1450.00. In case you are interested in helping with certain items for the trip, here are just a few: small toys, hard candy, hand/paper towels, toilet paper, old purses, and baseball hats.
12. Make a commitment to The Signs of Life, May 15-17. We will be turning our church "Inside Out" with about 50 mission ventures right here in Jacksonville. Mark your calendars now!
13. Help make our church one of irresistible influence. We are called to be "salt and light" in our community. The key is influence. We have been given an incredible opportunity to impact our community for Christ.
A fresh start awaits us this year. I cannot control the stock market, the slowing economy, high health insurance premiums, or the price of gas. But there are some things I can control: my attitude, my opportunities to honor Christ, and my influence for Christ in my community. I want to challenge you to look past the doom and gloom of current economic times and focus on the incredible opportunities our Heavenly Father has placed before you. Together, let's make a fresh start in 2009.