Monthly Archives: January 2018

In 2018 . . .

In 2018 I will “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting” (Psalm 118:1).

In 2018 I will “write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

In 2018 I will “speak, as it were, the utterances of God” (1 Peter 4:11).

In 2018 I will “preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void” (1 Corinthians 1:17).

In 2018 I will “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit” (Philippians 2:3).

In 2018 I will “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).

In 2018 I will “be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6).

In 2018 I will “be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:18)

In 2018 I will “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4).

In 2018 “I shall not be afraid” (Psalm 56:11).

In 2018 I will “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

In 2018 I will “judge not according to appearances, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

In 2018 I will “render to all what is due them; tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7).

In 2018 I will “strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble” (Hebrews 12:12).

In 2018 I will be “contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality” (Romans 12:13).

In 2018 I will “deny ungodliness and worldly desires” (Titus 2:12).

In 2018 I will “walk in the light as He Himself is in the light” (1 John 1:7).

In 2018 “I shall honor my vows to the Lord.”
– by Hal Hammons

For the new year …

It was a sunny Saturday morning, and Joe was beginning his pre-shot routine, visualizing his upcoming shot when a voice came over the clubhouse loudspeaker – “Would the gentleman on the woman’s tee please back up to the men’s tee, please!”

Joe was still deep in his routine, seemingly impervious to the interruption. Again the announcement – “Would the man on the women’s tee kindly back up the men’s tee!”

Joe had had enough. He shouted, “Would the announcer in the clubhouse kindly shut up and let me play my second shot!”

I am very familiar with not being as far down the golf course as I am expected to be after my first shot!  🙂  And sometimes, I’m not as far along spiritually as others think I should be.  There are some others who are not as far along spiritually as I think they should be.

What is to be our attitude toward these “weak” brethren?  Sometimes the situation calls for some words of gentle rebuke (Heb. 5:12-14). Sometimes the situation calls for patient forbearance (Rom. 14:1).  In all things, our goal is to encourage and build up.

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.  Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Rom. 15:1-2).

May we truly encourage one another as we live our Christian lives, with those who are strong helping those who are weak.  We need all the help we can get!

Have a great day and year!

Alan Smith