Alexander City, Alabama, United States
Pastor's Wife
Message from Mrs. Sandra Stark
A New Year’s Message
Welcome 2023
“Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness; and Thy paths drop fatness.
They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness; and the little hills rejoice on every side.
The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.
Psalm 65:11-13
A New Year 2023! And the closing of a chapter in our lives, 2022!
The Lord is the Giver of New Beginnings. We all love a fresh start! A “wiping the slate clean” and the opportunity of doing more for Him. He divided time upon this earth into seasons and years. The first mention of years is in Genesis 1:14 (the very first chapter of the Bible!)!
He says to us:
“Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years.”
I think the God Who created us knew that we needed measurements of time – a beginning and an ending. We have each day. We can reflect on “How our day went”. But we also have the year – an accumulation of days allows us to see the bigger picture – the direction we are going.
A time for reflecting on all of the wonderful blessings of the previous year!
A time for judging ourselves to see what we accomplished and what we can do this next year for the Kingdom of God.
And He crowns the year!
In Luke 13:16 Jesus says, “Ought not this woman , being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo these 18 years, be loosed from this bond…..?”
And then came the glorious 19th year! Freedom from bondage! LOOSED!
God wants to loose up today from any bondage, infirmity, habit or sin that may be binding us. He wants to loose us to “be about His business.”
I had been thinking about His business and this line “It’s only what’s done for Christ that lasts.”
ONLY ONE LIFE
C. T. Studd
Two little lines I heard one day, traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, and from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in “that day” my Lord to meet, and stand before His judgement seat;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, gently please for a better choir.
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, and to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years, each with its burdens, hopes and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore, when Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep, in joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ;twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh, let my love with fervor burn, and from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes, only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done.”
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all,”
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
