Where did 2006 go? I don't know, but it is gone! Last year was filled with ups and downs, joys and sorrows, victories and setbacks; but that was last year...now what? How will we face the new year? Will we look back on "the good old days" and pine for what might have been? Or will we turn the page and move on with God's sovereign plan for our life?

The apostle Paul had it right in his letter to the Philippians when he wrote, "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected: but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14). Paul had much in his past to feel both good and bad about, but he was leaving his past behind (not forgetting the lessons learned) and focusing on the opportunities ahead.

I want to encourage you to do as Paul did. Leave your past behind and reach forward to the exciting opportunities God has for you in the new year, in at least these three areas that correspond with the purpose statement of our church...

1) Reaching UP in Exaltation...

Our first and foremost responsibility is to glorify God in all that we do in thought, word or deed. We are to acknowledge Him as our Creator, accept His Son, Jesus, as our Lord and Savior, walk in humble fellowship with Him, and worship Him both privately, and publicly in the local church. Paul's personal goal was that... "Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death", (Philippians 1:20)

2) Reaching IN by Edification...

Our second obligation is to our fellow-believers in the family of God, especially those in our own church family. Scripture says it this way... "Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith", (Galatians 6:10). "Let all things be done for edification", (I Corinthians 14:26). "From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love", (Ephesians 4:16).

3) Reaching OUT by Evangelism...

Our third duty is to seek the salvation of the lost. People need the Lord, and we are to be ambassadors for Christ, sharing the good news of the Gospel to those who have not yet placed their faith in the One who died, was buried, and rose again that they might believe in Him, escape eternal punishment and enjoy eternal life with Jesus in paradise. What an awesome privilege and responsibility it is to share our wonderful Lord with our friends, neighbors, coworkers and loved ones!

Yes, time is running out to serve the Lord. Our life is like a vapor which appears for a little while, then vanishes away. We need to redeem the time and make everyday count for Christ. We cannot do that by looking back, but by reaching forward to the new year. God told Moses in Exodus 14:15, ..." Tell the children of Israel to go forward". May God help us to keep on Reaching ...UP...IN...OUT... in 2007.