[The Mayor]

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December 31, 2009

Point Of No Return

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READ: Deut. 11:7-12

The eyes of the Lord your God are always on [the land], from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year. —Deuteronomy 11:12

Longtime California pastor Ray Stedman once told his congregation: “On New Year’s Eve we realize more than at any other time in our lives that we can never go back in time. . . . We can look back and remember, but we cannot retrace a single moment of the year that is past.”

Stedman then referred to the Israelites as they stood on the edge of a new opportunity. After four decades of desert wanderings by their people, this new generation may have wondered if they had the faith and fortitude to possess the Promised Land.

Their leader, Moses, reminded them that they had seen “every great act of the Lord which He did” (Deut. 11:7) and that their destination was “a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year” (v.12).

On New Year’s Eve, we may fear the future because of events in the past. But we need not remain chained to our old memories because we can move ahead focused on God. Just as the Lord watched over the land and His people, so His eyes will be upon us.

God’s faithful care will extend to every day of the new year. We can count on that promise.

God holds the future in His hands
With grace sufficient day by day;
Through good or ill He gently leads,
If we but let Him have His way. —Rohrs

The “what” of our future is determined by the “Who” of eternity.

Bible in One Year: Malachi 1-4; Revelation 22

[WayzataJOHNN]

Winter Dawn

Dawn breaks with soundly joy, in tones of pearl and rose
the air is filled with subtle hints that tease my cold nose
Crisp the air and chill the moment of the breaking dawn
as I stand here, on the snow draped landscape of the lawn

The stars fade, into the glow of yet another bright day
as I stand listening to life, with its own unique way
The crunch of my steps and the wind in bare trees sing
the soft distant tones of church bells that still ring

A car passing soft, and laughter of children at the bus
this is a moment to treasure, so listen without any fuss
capture the moment, and hold it so tight in your heart
for dawn is a wonder, in which you are more then a part

[jaycee]

God’s faithful care will extend to every day of the new year. We can count on that promise.

What a wonderful statement to begin our New Year with, Mr. Mayor. Thank you for this message today.

[geologist]

“On New Year’s Eve, we may fear the future because of events in the past. But we need not remain chained to our old memories because we can move ahead focused on God. Just as the Lord watched over the land and His people, so His eyes will be upon us.

God’s faithful care will extend to every day of the new year. We can count on that promise.”
___________________________________________________________

thought for the day.

Thank you, for the dedication of posting the devotionals everyday.

[JustAmy]

Good morning, Rus.
Thank you for sharing God's Word again this morning.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year.