Good morning on this last Saturday of 2007, December 29th. As we look forward to the start of a new year, I am reminded of the spiritual activities which were part of a new year's celebration in the Old Testament.
(1) It was a time of self-examination during which people carefully inspected their relationship with God and consequently confessed and removed sins from their lives which hindered their relations with the Lord and their spiritual progress.
(2) It was a time of careful examination of their relationship with others which led to their seeking out those whom they had wronged or offended to make things right.
(3) It was a time of celebration of/for the blessings of God in their lives and the lives of their families, especially with regard to their salvation and its benefits.
So introspection, confession, repentance, restoration, reconciliations, praise and thanksgiving were all vital aspects of their new year's celebration and should be part of ours as well. Such a process will surely get 2008 off to a good start in our lives.
Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, Let Us Go On from Hebrews chapter six. I hope I'll see you in church.
Happy New Year,
Mel Brown