Yesterday, as we began our Winter Revival at Lancaster Baptist Church, a soloist sang a song that stated, “The heart of the problem is a problem of the heart.” It is my prayer that God will cleanse, purify, and fill my heart and the hearts of our church family members during this revival meeting. In Psalm 85:6, the psalmist said, “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?”

Today, too many Christians are without joy. This is why the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:30-32, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Last night’s message spoke to my heart regarding the fact that false doctrine and sin always seem to creep in unawares. It involves a process of rationalization and lethargy that sometimes seems to hide the reality of our trend away from God. We certainly see this on the national scene, but it is also something to be aware of personally.

Please join me today in prayer for revival!

Yesterday, as we began our Winter Revival at Lancaster Baptist Church, a soloist sang a song that stated, “The heart of the problem is a problem of the heart.” It is my prayer that God will cleanse, purify, and fill my heart and the hearts of our church family members during this revival meeting. In Psalm 85:6, the psalmist said, “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?”

Today, too many Christians are without joy. This is why the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:30-32, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Last night’s message spoke to my heart regarding the fact that false doctrine and sin always seem to creep in unawares. It involves a process of rationalization and lethargy that sometimes seems to hide the reality of our trend away from God. We certainly see this on the national scene, but it is also something to be aware of personally.

Please join me today in prayer for revival!

Tonight I attended the Lancaster Baptist High School Varsity basketball game. I enjoy basketball, and I love being with our church family. I especially enjoy watching our youngest son, Matt, play in his senior year.

One of the things that always strikes me in basketball is the “Momentum Factor”. Momentum swings from one team to another so quickly in high school sports! Ultimately, however, it seems like momentum stays with the athlete or the team that remains focused and diligent in their disciplines.

I believe the best way to maintain momentum in the Christian life is to keep our focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. There are plenty of “loud” bystanders and unfair “referees” in life, but if we remain focused on Christ, we are sure to experience victory!

Hebrews 12:1-3 says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

It was fun to see Matt win a victory tonight, but the great joy will be seeing Matt and his teammates stay focused on Christ in their lives. As we seek Him, He will help us to run the race set before us!

Someone once said, “Opportunities are seldom labeled.” However, I have always felt that every New Year is a new opportunity to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a new opportunity to move forward along life’s journey and to make one’s life more eternally meaningful.

Because I believe 2007 is a new opportunity for the Lord, I have spent much time in prayer, Bible reading, and goal-setting for this year. I trust that you, too, have set some goals and are trusting the Lord to use you in a greater way!

It has been said, “He who aims at nothing hits it every time!” I would rather try and fail than never try to do the things God lays upon my heart. Let me encourage you to step out by faith in this New Year.

For me and for the church family where I serve, it is my heart’s desire that everything we do will be for the honor of Christ and for the furthering of His faith in this world. We are challenged to live “for the faith” and it is my prayer that generations to come will talk in the faith because of the goals and prayers that have been established already this year.

A pastor by the name of Walter Schoedel once prepared a list of resolutions for the New Year. He called his list “The Seven Ups.” This had nothing to do with the soft drink, but had everything to do with attitudes toward the New Year.

The first is WAKE UP – begin the day with the Lord. It is His day. Rejoice in it.

The second is DRESS UP – put on a smile. It improves your looks. It says something about your attitude.

The third is SHUT UP – watch your tongue. Don’t gossip. Say nice things. Learn to listen.

The fourth is STAND UP – take a stand for what you believe. Resist evil. Do good.

The fifth is LOOK UP – open your eyes to the Lord. After all, He is your only Saviour and He has promised to return!

The sixth is REACH UP – spend time in prayer with adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplications to the Lord.

And finally, LIFT UP – be available to those in need, serving, supporting and sharing with each of them.

Whatever your goals for the new year, it is my prayer that God will bless you and use you for His glory!