I have always felt inadequate to being the “light of the world”. How are we, with our continual struggle with sin (1 Jn.1:8) meant to “shine like stars in the world” (Phil.2:15)?

You see, friend, the day we were baptized into Christ, we put on Christ (Gal.3:27). But are we “wearing Christ well”? If, like me, you feel the need to do better, then try the following 4-H Method.

• With your HEAD determine to “take every thought CAPTIVE to obey Christ” (2 Cor.10:5).

• With your HEART escape sin by CHOOSING “the way of escape” that God “will provide” (1 Cor.10:13).

• With your HAND act on your CONVICTIONS. “So, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17).

• Then to stay spiritually HEALTHY consider making a COVENANT with God to remain “faithful unto death” so that He may “give you the crown of life” (Rev.2:10).

To get the most out of this “4-H” method read it aloud, in front of a mirror, every morning for 21-63 days. If possible, repeat it often during the day.

“With my HEAD I take every thought CAPTIVE; With my HEART I choose His escape route; With my HAND I act on my CONVICTIONS to do right; And for my SPIRITUAL HEALTH I COVENANT to remain faithful unto death.”

You just finished an 8-hour workday, but you have to sit in traffic while making calls and making sure that your Kroger pick up order is ready. After you finally get home at 5:32, you must change clothes and help make dinner for your family – hot dogs and mac & cheese to go. It’s no three course meal, but it will have to do because you must leave in time to pick up Olivia early from band practice so you can make it to Tommy’s football game on time. You wish that you could watch the whole football game, but Olivia and Jacob need your help with homework before they go off and play; so, you and your spouse take turns watching the game and quizzing your kids on the quadratic formula and United States’ Presidents.

Such is life. Even with a multitude of modern conveniences, we are busier than ever. It’s no wonder we are unable to pray regularly, have a Bible reading routine, and visit other families. We are pulled in every direction, and we are lucky to make it through the week without dropping the ball at work or at home. We may be tempted to skimp on sleep to get ahead on some home projects you have been putting off, to start on that assignment from work you have procrastinated at doing.

Such business or workaholism is neither healthy nor godly. The psalmist writes, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved sleep” (Ps 127:2). And although we do not keep the letter of the mosaic laws today, the Lord created the Sabbath for man’s benefit. Before you or your children take on yet another responsibility, be disciplined and say no. Perhaps, if you are blessed, you can even cut back on some responsibilities that are of low priority so that you can grow mentally, physically, and spiritually healthier.

I often hear hurting souls express a total sense of hopelessness. They often think their situations are unique. It is at these times that I am reminded that we were not created for this world.

The Garden of Eden was what we were created for. But, alas, sin changed all of that. From that moment survival became the goal in the minds of those who were battling God’s will. Genesis 4:14 (ESV) — ¹⁴ Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

But, for God’s people there has always been a better choice. His Family – the church of Christ. It is in this Body of Believers that we, the broken vessels of humanity, survive.

In humility we recognize our need for God – “but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ (Lk.18:13; cf. Ps.34:18).

With empathy we help fellow broken souls. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (ESV) — ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

And God uses our brokenness to change the world. By using Stephen’s crushed body God changed the churches #1 enemy from Saul to Paul the Apostle.

Dear Friend, if you don’t know what to do, let me suggest becoming part of a family where you will find safety and love – the church of Christ.

We love stories of God’s mercy and grace. We love John 3:16’s notion of divine initiative in the plan of redemption. We love the disjunction “But God” in Eph 2:4 that signals a message of hope for redemption through God’s mercy. We love the story of Jesus forgiving Peter in John 22 after Peter had denied him thrice.

We do not love the stories about God’s judgment and condemnation near as much. We shudder at the story of Pharaoh, where we see God harden
Pharaoh’s heart and take away Pharaoh’s ability to repent (Exod. 9:12; Rom 9:17-18). We wince when we read that God hardens the hearts, eyes, and ears of Israel so that they cannot repent (Isa 6:9, 10). We are troubled when we see that the God, who readily forgave David for his murder and adultery, did not give that same chance to Saul when he sinned by sparing king Agag’s life and sacrificing to God (1 Sam 15). We are disturbed that the God who is, “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin” is also the God who “will by no means leave the guilty unpunished” (Exod. 34:6, 7).

The story of Saul is especially clear. Even though God may anoint us as kings and co-rulers with Jesus and give us his Spirit (Rom 8:17), this does not mean that God does not have the right to take away his Spirit from us. We can lose our salvation (Heb 6:4-8). We are completely dependent upon God’s grace at every moment. When we sin, God can choose to harden our hearts so that we are not able to repent.

While these passages do disturb me, they do not make me anxious. I have learned to live with the constant tension in Scripture that we serve a terrifying and gracious God. If you are sinning against God without thinking about how serious it is, I hope that this has changed your perspective. If you are constantly in fear of God’s judgment, I hope that you can be comforted by the many passages that talk of God’s willingness to forgive.

I am not a fan of new year’s resolutions. They are either quickly forgotten, and therefore useless, or they are not met and lead to needless disappointment. Instead, I believe in setting intentions and expectations, rather than specific goals or resolutions, and to set them daily rather than annually.

Nevertheless, there is something useful about this annual milestone of a new year to take inventory of what you set out to accomplish. Did I live my most authentic life this year? Did I achieve my personal health goals? Did I achieve my professional goals? Did I follow through on my intentions?

Much like birthdays and anniversaries, the turn of a calendar is an opportunity to “renew” your intentions and expectations. As you look back over last year, do you see a process of change for the better in your thoughts, attitudes, and actions?

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT) “²²throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³Instead, let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.²⁴Put on your new nature created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.”

Our old way of life before we believed in Christ is completely in the past. We should put it behind us like old clothes to be thrown away. We are not to be driven by desire and impulse. We must put on the new role, head in the new direction, and have the new way of thinking that the Holy Spirit gives. This is both a once for all decision when we decide to accept Christ’s gift of salvation and a daily conscious commitment.

Living the Christian life is a process. Although we have a new nature, we don’t automatically think all good thoughts and express all the right attitudes when we become new people in Christ. But, if we keep listening to God, we will be changing all the time. Although change may be slow, it comes as you trust God to change you.

Psalm 23:3 (NLT) “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.”

Have you noticed all the different types of hands? A baby has small, soft, and chubby hands. But then you get a professional basketball player with huge hands.

Now, I want you to think about the hands of Jesus. Can you see him as a baby in a manger? Can you see His gentle, soft, innocent little hands? But keep looking and you will notice his hands change. They become the rough, tough, and calloused hands of a carpenter. But finally, you will notice His hands become that of a healer.

Matthew 8:1 (ESV) When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus STRETCHED OUT HIS HAND AND TOUCHED HIM, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Coming out of COVID I have a slight understanding of what it would have felt like to be isolated because of a highly contagious and deadly virus. But even in my isolation I always had access to those hands. Except, now they were different. Now they bore the marks of Calvary’s cruel nails.

Today is the first Sunday of the “New Year.” Today is January 2, 2022.   Have you made any resolutions?  Why don’t you start the new year out with your brothers and sisters? Today is our first fellowship meal of the new year, let me extend an open Invitation to have lunch with us this morning, instead of going to Frisch’s or Wendy’s.  If your resolution was to diet, I brought a big salad!  Don’t feel bad if you didn’t bring anything because we usually have plenty of food, so that we are able to invite our visitors.

Summit’s theme for this year is Family.  We want everyone to feel at home at Summit and to be part of our family.  Let’s start today to be a bigger part of each other’s lives, to know each other better. We all have different gifts and abilities!  As a family we need to know each other’s weaknesses, strengths, and abilities. That cannot be accomplished unless we spend time with each other.  Joining us for the fellowship meal today is a good way to start.  If we look at the group of believers in Acts 2, they had everything in common with each other and “ATE” together.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  Psalm 133:1

We had a great new year eve’s get together at the Guin’s (thanks for your hospitality) we played games and got to know each other better througg fellowship.  Then we started the new year together in song and prayer to our Lord and Savior. 

Brothers and Sisters, Let’s start the new year out right.  Challenge yourself to speak with someone different each service you attend.  Call or text someone in the congregation and let them know you are thinking of them, praying for them.  Make plans to meet for coffee or invite them to dinner.  Let’s keep 2022 on a great path!

You can start TODAY by eating with your church family!

You Are Officially “INVITED”

With the New Year approaching, many traditions will take place to celebrate the upcoming year. Some will watch the Time Square Ball Drop in New York City. Others will watch the Rose Bowl. One of the most common practices that will take place will be New Year Resolutions. Every year people will establish goals they want to accomplish for the upcoming calendar year. Some people plan to lose weight. Others may want to read more. There could be a goal to develop a new hobby. There is a level of enthusiasm and energy to accomplish the goals. What can happen with many people is that same enthusiasm and energy that existed at the beginning of the year tappers off. Sometimes people may not see the results they want. They may lose interest. As a result, the resolutions become an afterthought. The same thing can happen to us as Christians. When we get baptized, there can be a certain level of enthusiasm. It is a new start for each of us. Do we sustain that same energy we had when we put on Christ in baptism?

As Christians, has there ever been anything that has affected our faith? Anything that has left us discouraged? It can be easy to get distracted in a world with so many temptations. It can be easy to lose focus and get off the right path. Paul in Romans 8 discusses the importance of our mindset. Romans 8:5 says, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” Jesus, in Matthew 6, also emphasized the importance of where we need to set our sights. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

It is good to have goals. Since many will set goals, there will be an emphasis on accomplishing them. While this will be the mindset for many, let us not lose sight of what is relevant in our lives. Let us draw closer to God and become who we need to be for Him! 

Kindness is the main ingredient for building a peace-loving community. It is also good for the heart in that it reduces anxiety by giving a sense of control and providing what we all need.

We should also be kind because it is what God requires of us. Micah 6:8 (ESV) — ⁸ He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Kindness is what distinguish us from being a child of Christ or Satan. You see, it was kindness that causes Jesus to empty himself, take on the form of man, and to die on the cruel cross of calvary. If we are to carry the same DNA as Christ, we would … “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3–4 ESV).

Friend, what act of kindness will you choose today? Are you able and willing to help with the devastation of the latest natural disaster to hit our beautiful Kentucky? (Photo by Jeannette P Maxey).