New Horizons for a New Year

A new year is a time for reflection and for thinking ahead. It is a time for lists - best and worst of everything in the past year. It is a time for resolutions - often made before. It is a time for New Horizons - New Dreams - For looking to the future! Our New Horizons Must Always Center on Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:7-11). Though we may be discouraged at our losses, they do not diminish the greatest gifts we have received from the hand of God. Most of our losses are temporal things. For Paul, losing his identity as a chief Jew was hard, but he was willing to throw it away for Christ. The New Horizons we see ahead are focused on faith. The righteousness that comes from God, the Resurrection from the dead, our relationship and identification with Christ ... all are matters of faith in Jesus. The Christian's new year should not be focused on what we can do, but on what He can do. Our New Horizons Always Move Us Forward, Never Backward (Philippians 3:12-14). I'm glad the Apostle Paul said he had not obtained yet that for which he was searching. I know I'm not alone! It's still ahead of us. So why do so many people live in the past? They focus on their broken dreams, broken hearts, and broken lives. God calls us to chase the prize! The calling is heavenward - toward the rich blessings of our Father. Marvin Phillips says that our past may define us, but it does not lock us in. Amen! Stop studying the past and get with the new day .... today ... a gift from God. Our New Horizons Always Reflect Growth (Philippians 3:15-16). Paul's view is not PollyAnna, but it is mature and it is positive. It was hard for him to give up his Jewish stature and trust Jesus to see him through. Our lives have led us through some terrible disappointments and problems. We have come this far, though! Live up to what you have already attained - don’t go backwards! That was my message this morning, and my New Years message to you! God bless you and thanks for reading. Upcoming Speaking Dates: January 8 - Gateway Church of Christ, Pensacola, FL, 6:00 p.m. January 11 - Broad Street Church of Christ, LaGrange, GA, evening Bible class January 15 - Port City Church of Christ, Mobile, AL, morning worship January 29 - University Church of Christ, Monroe, LA, morning Bible class March 19 - University Church of Christ, Conway, AR, morning worship Come out and see us if you're in the area!