2. Past year had its share of difficulties  Nationally  Congregationally  Individually

3. In the new year, let us lift up our eyes Psa. 121:1, 2  Dwelling on problems doesn’t change them  Look to the Lord for help

4. Blessings  Family, Prov. 18:22; Psa. 127:3  Brethren, Psa. 133:1  Creation, Psa. 19:1

5. Hardships, Job 14:1  Health problems, Mk. 1:30  Death, Lk. 7:11, 12  Separation, 1 Thes. 2:17, 18  Temptation, Jas. 1:14, 15

6. Look unto Jesus, Heb. 12:1, 2  Example, 1 Pt. 2:18-24  Strength, Phil. 4:10-14  Raised in Him, 1 Cor. 15:20-22

7. Look unto heaven, Col. 3:1-4  Fill your mind with pure thoughts, Phil. 4:8  Older Christians, 2 Tim. 4:6-8  Younger Christians, Phil. 3:12-14

8. Look unto the fields, Jn. 4:35  Spiritual food, Jn. 4:32-34  Joy over repentance, Lk. 15:4-7  Reward now & later, 1 Thes. 2:19

9. Strives to distract us, Mt. 13:22  Material possessions, Mt. 6:24  Works of the flesh, Gal. 5:19-21  Pursuits that dominate our time

10. Wants us overwhelmed with grief  Judas, Mt. 27:3-5  Man at Corinth, 2 Cor. 2:7, 11