Msg#2552 A Challenging New Year

Msg#2552 A Challenging New Year

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan’s Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

We came through 2025, are stepping into 2026, and two old sayings come to mind, “The best laid plans of mice and men” and “Go with the flow, like a twig on the shoulders of a mighty stream.” I don’t know where either saying came from per se, but the Bible reflects it,”When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knowest my path” (Ps.142:13a). There are a trove of Bible verses dealing with God directing our path (Prov.3:5-6), God ordering our steps, and his slip-prevention (Ps.37:23,31). “He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly, he preserveth the way of his saints” (Prov.2:6-9). “Show me the path of life,… Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my foot slips not” (Ps.16:11,17:5). Our personal plans go awry, but God shines light on a better way. Medical hurdles step up, but God is a buckler. Church growth dwindles, but “God is our refuge and strength” (Ps.46:1). On the national scene, Make-America-Godly-Again has seen opposition, but it has stirred an awakening of sorts.

To God be the glory, we are stepping into a whole new year with challenges and oppositions to overcome. Three steps come to mind: 1) Renew your personal and family altar with a good, out-loud Bible reading schedule; two laps Genesis to maps is our goal; 2) Don’t go out to buy gas, food, or things, go out to tell an attendant, cashier, or Best-Buy-Guy what the Lord Jesus Christ did for you, and while you’re out buy gas, food, or things; 3) “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed” (Heb.12:12-13,cf14-16). Have a Happy New Year.

An Essay for week #52, Dec 28, 25

A Memorial www.gsbaptistchurch.com/audio/Evang_Mike_Patterson.html
A Systematic Theology www.GSBaptistChurch.com/theology
Israel Tour Journal www.GSBaptistChurch.com/israel22
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