Here it is, a year completed.  Wasn't it just yesterday that we wished everyone, "Happy New Year?"  We made resolutions, promised to do things different and generally be a better person than we were the previous year.

 

    My how the time gets away from us and also the things we intended to do.  Time and good intentions are the two commodities that are forgotten about the most.  Another year!  Time - what have we done with it, so suddenly it has come around.  We are another year older, but are we any wiser?

   

    What have I done with the time God has given me in 2005?  Have I encouraged anyone, showed someone the love of God, told a lost soul about salvation, been kind and tenderhearted towards others?  Time - I have spent it, but have I invested any of it wisely? I can never save time - it is always spent.  Did I shop wisely?

   

    I had all of those resolutions that I would do.  My intentions were honorable, and my motives were pure when I made them.  But what happened that I did not achieve what I set out to do?  I can't blame it on the Preacher for he did not know.  Nor can I blame it on the church for it made not the vows. 

 

    Who then must accept the responsibility of this neglect?  The lot falls to me because I allowed other things of life to hamper and defeat the good things I was going to accomplish this year.

 

    The Lord tells us to be careful of this happening in Luke 21:34.  "And take heed to yourselves, lest at anytime your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."  We can get so caught up in OURself that we forget the things that are profitable to man.

 

    Titus put it this way in chapter 3:8, "This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.  These things are good and profitable unto men."  Jesus told them in Matt. 25: 35-46 about the things that were important, and by doing good or evil to others we have done one or the other to Him.

 

    This year let us not just make resolutions and promises to forget them.  Let us redeem the time for the days are evil.  (Eph 5:16) - Redeem as to recover - let us recover ourselves with the desire to do that which we have told the Lord we were going to do.  Lest we be weighted in the balance and found lacking.

 

Your Pastor,

Anthony Krummrey