WORDS FROM OUR PASTOR
Welcome to the 2008 New Year!
John R. Rice said, “No matter what a man’s past may have been, his future is spotless.” This year is before us with all of the unknown mysteries of each month and each new day. I am reminded of Martha Snell Nicholson’s writing entitled, The New Year: “Dear Lord, as this New Year is born I give it to thy hand, content to walk by faith what paths I cannot understand. Whatever coming days may bring of bitter loss, or gain, or every crown of happiness; should sorrow come, or pain, or, Lord, if all unknown to me thine angel hovers near to bear me to that farther shore before another year, It matters not-my hand in thine, thy light upon my face, thy boundless strength when I am weak, thy love and saving grace! I only ask, loose not my hand, grip fast my soul, and be my guiding light upon the path till, blind no more, I see!
The Apostle Paul said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 NIV). What is your goal for this year? There are different types of goals to achieve. I pray that on your agenda there is a spiritual goal (God); a family goal (others); and a personal goal (self). I am third…is an unselfish way of living one’s life, God is first, others are second, and I am third. Paul was a spiritual giant in the eyes of the Philippians’ saints. He wanted them to know that he had not yet attained his goals. However, he was actively pressing on toward his goals. Paul had by no means reached the final stage of his sanctification. In some ways, we are like Paul in that we have not reached our final stage. Every year, we may say this is the year we are going to wish for or make a change in our way of thinking or living. As I write this article, I am thinking of our church motto: “Fulfilling the Great Commission in Unity” and what this means for our congregation in 2008. I am aware that as I set goals and as we wish one another a “Happy New Year” there are two different things to consider with wishing it and experiencing it. Therefore, do you know your spiritual gifts for your purpose in life to achieve goals? Someone said, “One’s only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose.” Do your goals and purpose include service to others? We can imagine our hearts knowing and experiencing happiness and unity in this “New Year” because of God’s love, faith, hope, and willingness to serve with His help, to help others know this, too. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NIV). We are able to take risks and find joy in serving others because we trust that God is in full control of our lives. John M. Brown said: “No one, I am convinced, can be happy who only lives for oneself. The joy of living comes from immersion in something that we know to be bigger, better, more enduring and worthier than we are. People, ideas, causes... these offer the one possible escape, not merely from selfishness but from the hungers of solitude and the sorrows of aimlessness.”
In 2008, our church must serve and live out the great commission given to us by Jesus in our community, state, nation and world as stated in Matthew 28:19-20 NIV: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” My goal in life is to draw closer to God in my daily living. Also, one of my goals for the church is to expand the ministries according to Jesus’ Biblical teachings on servant leadership. In reading about the Philippians, at the end of each race officials had their heralds proclaim the winner and call him up to receive his prize (in the Olympic games, a palm branch). The prize is the full revelation of Jesus at the resurrection. When all of us see how important it is to get the message of Jesus across to our community, then we will see a change take place in our own life and the church. Throughout 2008, let us press on toward the goal, preserving unity within the Body of Christ. Frequently, in the New Testament readings, people are asked to be faith role-models for others. With all my heart, I pray that we, as Christians of faith, imitate Christ in serving others as we focus all year on His birth, life, death, and resurrection for our salvation. May we run the race in attaining spiritual goals set before us by God using our spiritual gifts while looking to Jesus to inspire us and challenge us to invite others to be faithful followers of “…the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV).
James H. Callaway, Jr., Pastor
First Baptist
January 2008 Newsletter
AWANA
Praise the Lord. AWANA is alive and well and growing. We have a great group of children who want to learn about God. I had one young man inform me he wanted to do missionary work in school but was afraid he would get in trouble. We prayed about this and gave it to God. The children are inviting their friends to come; and in my mind this is missionary work. On December 9, 2007; you know that icy day that was the precursor to the city wide power outage we had 5 children and 5 adults come to Awana. This tells me God is blessing our program and it will continue to grow. If God is talking to you in any way about Awana: listen and do what He wants; because whatever He wants you to do, ultimately you will. That is enough for now. May God bless all of you this Christmas season and may the New Year bring your hopes to fruition. Love in Christ,
ABY
Our youth program will resume on Jan. 6, 2008. The re-scheduled Christmas party will be announced later.
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