1. A New Year

2. A New Year Men look back & forward Moses & Israel, Deuteronomy
Peter & the Lord, Jn. 21:15-22
Us with the New Year

3. A New Year What do we observe about the past year? The blessings?
Personal spiritual growth?
Missed opportunities?

4. A New Year
Uncertainty
Plans

5. A New Year Uncertainty Tomorrow is not a guarantee, Jas. 4:13-15
Plans ≠ Future, Lk. 12:16-21
Future in God’s hands

6. A New Year Uncertainty Christ may return this year, 1 Thes. 5:1, 2
His return is a guarantee
Time unknown
Prepare, 1 Thes. 5:4-8

7. A New Year Uncertainty We may die this year, Psa. 89:48 Natural
Accident
Old or young

8. A New Year
Uncertainty
We may live many more years, Isa. 38:1, 5

9. A New Year
Plans
If the Lord wills we will see them realized, Jas. 4:15
Paul’s attitude, 1 Cor. 4:19; 16:7; Acts 18:21
Satan’s interference, 1 Thes. 2:18

10. A New Year Plans We sometimes fall into routines
And need to break out of them
Actions by habit, Rev. 2:4
Apathy, Heb. 2:1; 5:12

11. A New Year Plans For the congregation
Additional elders or deacons, Titus 1:5
Budget changes, Phil. 4:15-17
Support fewer preachers
Fewer class materials
Spiritual growth
Gospel meetings, Acts 2:46
Special classes, Titus 2:1-10

12. A New Year Plans Individually More study, Psa. 119:97
More prayer, 1 Pt. 5:7; Jas. 1:5
Give more, 2 Cor. 9:6, 7
Encourage brethren, Heb. 3:13
Improve marriage, Eph. 5:22, 25
Regular attendance, Heb. 10:24, 25
Help teach another, Acts 8:4
Overcome a weakness, Col. 3:5-10

13. A New Year As the new year dawns, let us realize eternity is closer
Seek a closer relationship with God
Seize opportunities to serve Him
Resist the adversary with greater strength
Find wisdom, peace, & hope in the word
Love the Lord will all that you are