And I will say again, Happy New Year!

How are you planning 2023? Think at the end of this year we will be talking about inflation, politics, Russia/Ukraine, too many shootings, natural disasters or will we be discussing the hope, joy, love, and peace that we have given thanks for during Advent? Is it a toss-up? Maybe; however, let’s look at some areas of our faith journey that we can look to with great hope in the coming year.

Isaiah 40:31: but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Even the strongest people get tired from time to time, but God’s power and strength will never diminish. Count on His strength to be your source of strength. When you feel all life crushing you and cannot go another step, remember that you can call upon God to renew your strength.

Romans 8:31: What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? A good way to look at our life with Christ is to know that He is for each and all of us. On the cross, Jesus knew us and died because we needed Him to die for our sins. Yes, Satan mounts an attack against us each and every day, yet Jesus defeated Satan on our behalf – Yes, God is on your side as you enter 2023.

Believe we should be reminded that humility should never be overlooked by anyone. Micah 6:8: 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? People seem to try all sorts of ways to please God, but in this verse, God makes His wishes very clear. Why not spend some time examining these areas of your life on a regular basis. Are you fair in your dealings with one another? Do you show mercy to those who harm you? Are you learning to grow in humility? Job 8:7 tells us: Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be. (For you Star Wars fans, kind of sounds like Yoda.)

And remember, we as a church are beginning a new journey. We have departed from our historical roots as United Methodists (and before that as Methodists and United Brethren). 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! The time is here for our fresh start as the McCutchanville Community Church, joined with the Global Methodist Church. We still carry the Great Commandment and Great Commission in our ministry together.

I would suggest that you might go back and read the Ten Commandments – Exodus 20:1-17.

Be childlike in your faith – John 1:12: Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. You are sons and daughters of the living God – be energized, be joyful.

Final piece of guidance from Philippians 3:13-14: Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. For me I typically land on the book of Philippians. Like Paul, most of us should leave behind and forget our sins of the past. We have all done things we are ashamed of; however, we can let go of the past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become in 2023.

Happy New Year!

Pastor Greg