The Pastor's Pen - The Zelienople Church of the Nazarene

"The Old and the New"
January, 2005

We come to the close of another year, and we look back at the things that have been part of the days. Some we may regret, because we failed to match God’s promise with the circumstances we faced. We may regret some word spoken hastily; a word that, if given more thought, would not have been spoken. Maybe, there were times when we took the easy way

instead of the way that was more difficult, but it did not bring the joy and blessing the harder way would have given us.

Like the Apostle Paul we, too, must “forget the things that are behind and press toward the mark of the high calling of Christ Jesus.”

A pastor friend of mine suggested that we make a list of all the things we need to do to make our life style as we would want it to be. For instance: List your duties to God and family; add to that list the requirements of your employer. Make another list of the recreational things that attract you. Look over your list and see if there is imbalance. (Too much play, too much work. Too much of anything robs another part of your life.)

After you have made your list, set priorities: What is most important?…..What can be changed?…..Where will what you are scheduling take you? You can’t just let your day happen. You must schedule it, and give it priorities.

Some things that should be high on your priority list are: prayer, Bible reading and meditation. Worship should have priority also. Don’t let the devil rob you of the things that are important to your relationship with the Lord.

The Lord wants the New Year to be better and more fulfilling to you and to the lives you touch day by day.

Joyfully Serving,

-Rev. Glenn Eagle, Associate Pastor