Praise the Lord for the great things He accomplished in 2007. God has once again proven His goodness to us. I’m looking forward to what He has in store for us in the upcoming year.

It has been said, “Each new year is God’s gift to us; what we do with this year is our gift to Him.” On this final day of 2007, may we each prepare our lives spiritually for the new year.

In Philippians 3:13-14, the Apostle Paul wrote these words: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Before you get too far into the new year, make sure you have what you need to survive spiritually.

1. You Will Need Grace vs. 13
A. Grace to Admit Your Place (I have not yet apprehended)
B. Grace to Release Your Past (forgetting those things which are behind)
2. You Will Need a Goal vs 10
A. To Know Him
- Make “knowing Him” your first priority
- Make knowing His Word your priority

As you make your goals, remember the acronym S.M.A.R.T.

Specific
Measurable
Action Oriented – Not just philosophical
Realistic
Timely

B. To Serve Him
C. To Please Him

3. You Will Need a Guide
A. The Scriptures Will Guide You vs. 15-16
B. The Holy Spirit Will Guide You John 16:13
C. Spiritual Leaders Will Guide You vs. 17

It’s been a tremendous Christmas season here at Lancaster Baptist. Although the month has been busy, I believe God has been glorified through the special musicals, services, and Christmas activities.

Just a few days ago, Terrie and I joined the widows of the church for a Christmas lunch in the Revels building. This has always been a highlight of the season for both me and my wife. I’m sure this time of year could be lonely for these ladies, but as we met with them, the joy of the Lord was evident in their lives.

For the first time ever, the spanish congregation produced a beautiful Christmas musical as an outreach to the community. I know many of the godly families of our spanish ministry labored for countless hours in preparation for the musical. We are thankful to the Lord for how He used this presentation to bring people to a salvation decision.

Tonight, on this Christmas Eve, we will gather again as a church family to remember the birth of our Saviour. I’m looking forward to the music from the choir, as well as to the time we will spend in God’s Word.

Again, Merry Christmas to you and your family. God bless you and give you a happy New Year!

One morning after the service in Germany, Brother Mark Lancaster—another missionary in Germany and the son of Dr. Tom Lancaster—took Terrie and I to the Dachau prison camp. This was one of the prison camp to which Hitler brought hundreds of thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. There was a very sobering feeling that came upon us as we walked into the prison camp. We were led to the site of the gas chamber where men were told they would receive a shower. After walking into the “shower” room, they were locked in and the gas was turned on. The next room over was the crematorium where their bodies were destroyed.

As I walked through the prison camp, I saw places of torture and beating and was told the stories of men who were murdered day after day in that place. I was reminded of the evil of Satan and the depravity of mankind. It is amazing how men can rationalize sin and come to the place of having such hatred.

Unbelievably, anti-Semitism is on the rise again in Europe. Truly, the hatred for the Jews will be an issue until the day of our Lord’s coming. Let us pray for our missionaries in Germany as they reach souls there, and let us be faithful during this Christmas season to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I apologize for the delay in communication the past several days. Terrie and I have had the privilege of ministering to a group of missionaries in Germany and preaching for the Rhine River Baptist Church with Pastor Tom Lancaster. It has been our privilege to see, first hand, the military work of our missionaries Brother Tom Lancaster, Brother Gary Craft, and others. We rejoice in the work God is allowing them to do amongst the men and women who serve our country overseas. Germany has nearly 65,000 US military stationed there and it was a privilege to meet many of these men and women and encourage them in their faith. I’m thankful for the tremendous kindness that Brother Lancaster showed to us. It was humbling to see a man in his late 60’s, serving the Lord on foreign soil with such passion as he does. It was a great privilege to get to know him and his wife better in these past few days.

After the meetings in Germany, we were able to catch a flight to Timisoara, Romania, and participate in the organizational service for the Independent Baptist Church of Timisoara. Timisoara is a city of about 500,000 people and is the place where the revolution against Communism was started, in large part, by Romanian Baptists seeking their freedom. I was amazed at the poverty that exists in Romania. They are well behind other European countries in their economic development. I was more amazed, however, at the great spirit of Tim and Debbie Tyler and their family as they serve in that country.

Tim Tyler and I attended Bible college together. When he invited me to attend the organizational service, I was uncertain if it would work; however, when I combined the opportunity to minister to a large number of missionaries from throughout Europe in Germany, as well as the organization service of a daughter church of Lancaster Baptist, I felt it was a wise investment of time. It was indeed a great privilege to be there.

The Tylers exemplify the spirit of Christ-honoring missionaries. Everything they said about Romania was positive. They spoke highly of the people, the food, and the culture. Their positive spirit was obvious in the hearts and lives of their children. Their son, John, led the singing. Their daughters helped pass out programs and keep the church clean.

It was an amazing time to see many people sign the church charter. The signing of the charter indicates that they have been saved, baptized, discipled and are in full agreement with the doctrine of the church. Several of the Romanians had tears flowing down their cheeks as they signed this document.

Please pray four our European missionaries. Many of them have suffered a great setback because of the devaluation of the dollar. Our missionaries around the world need encouragement and prayers, especially during this holiday season.

For the last several weeks I have wanted to take a moment to jot a note and ask you to pray for America. I recognize there are many people who resent the involvement of Christians in the political landscape; however, I believe Christians need to be involved—now more than ever—speaking the truth in love.

I was greatly disappointed last month when two Christian organizations on the East coast—one a renowned university and the other a television ministry—prematurely endorsed Republican candidates. It was difficult for me to comprehend why a Christian university would endorse a Mormon candidate, and why a charismatic TV network would endorse Rudy Giuliani who, in the past, has endorsed same-sex marriage.

I recognize there could come a time in this political season when we must choose “the lesser of two evils,” but I do not understand making such endorsements while there are still a few better options in the field. Simply, by principle we should wait before we make such statements.

I am certainly not an expert on politics, nor am I an expert on Mike Huckabee; however, I have sensed in my readings that Mr. Huckabee is a committed Christian who stands for the rights of unborn children and the sanctity of the family. Only God knows what will become of his political career, but whenever a man of his convictions is standing in the gap, he is indeed worthy of the prayers of biblically-minded Christians.

Friend, let us pray for America and let us remember that America is only great because America is good.