Lessons

New Year’s Message – Our Hope – The lesson on December 31, 2006 brings a message of hope for New Years 2007. The lesson starts with a nostalgic look at the year of 2006. If you are honest with yourself, you would admit to feelings of regret for something you did or didn’t do. By reminiscing, you find yourself with a focus on the past and not the present. The past cannot be changed. A football coach once said “Well, yesterday is history, and tomorrow is a mystery, but today is in the present and that is what we are going to deal with”. As Christians we should always focus on the hope we always have with Christ each and every day. We read in Lamentations, which was written by Jeremiah when he lamented the condition of Israel which utilizes the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet within each verse and chapter. This book of Lamentations is read each year by the Nation of Israel. Jeremiah demonstrates what we all have faced when he thought the Lord had not heard his prayer. Yet he says in Lamentations 3:21 (KJV) “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.”. Just like Proverbs 1:20-28 says “when they call upon me, but I will not answer.” Another passage is covered from Luke 20:9-19 which shows the leaders of Israel hated Jesus Christ. Is it no wonder that the world hates Christians which are those that follow Jesus. The world is not your friend, it is your enemy. God sent His Son because He is compassionate for mankind. We find in Romans 8:31-32 (KJV) “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” We learn that God is not affected by your circumstances, or guilt, or regret. He only did one thing for you and that was when He sent His Son, Christ Jesus so you could have all those things that are freely available to you. Christ Jesus is our hope! You may also want to listen to other audio lessons on New Years.