#1 Mend a Broken Relationship

Colossians 3:12-13

#2 Actively Seek Out to Help the Poor, Homeless, and Needy Matthew 25:34-40 

34Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

#3 Improve Your Physical Well-Being  

1 Corinthians 6:19-20  

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

#4 Consciously Set Aside Time to Spend with God

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

#5 Loving God = Loving Others (Resolution 1-4 rolled into one.) Mark 12:29-31  

29 Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

 

(Jedley Manimtim, 5 Bible Verses for New Year's Resolutions, Yahoo! Contributor Network)

 

Pastor Andy Keltner

Spiritual Growth 

God has called us by name. He has declared us righteous and prepared a place for us in the eternal kingdom. He richly and daily provides for all our needs. In the Small Catechism the Explanation of the First Article of the Apostles Creed Luther states that God "does this purely out of fatherly divine goodness and mercy."

 

We cannot come to faith by our own reason or strength. But "we are called by the Gospel enlightened with gifts".   This is from Luther's explanation of the third article of the Apostles Creed. God has called us by name and he has given us the gift of faith.

 

St. Peter in 1 Peter 2:2, St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:2 and the writer of Hebrews chapter 5 verse 12-13 talk about milk Christians. Then they tell us how we grow. We grow as we study God's Word, we pray and we use our gifts to serve others.  

 

I would encourage each one of you in your families to daily read the word of God. The Portals of Prayer, available in the back of church is an excellent daily devotion resource. There are devotional resources available at lcms.org. You can follow links on this site, under resources, to the Lutheran Laymen's League and Lutheran Women's Missionary League websites for devotional material.

 

I would encourage you to grow spiritually by participating in a weekly Bible Study with other Christians. As you meet together in worship centered on the Bible you grow spiritually. Then look for opportunities to serve others. I have a friend who tells me that each day they have a goal to do one nice thing for someone else. When we serve others in the name of Christ we grow spiritually.

 

Many of you will make New Year's resolutions.   I pray that all of you will resolve to grow spiritually as you read, mark learn and inwardly digest God's Word the Bible on a daily basis. Then I would encourage you to devote time daily for prayer, God hears our prayers. Finally look for opportunities each day to help someone else and share Christ by your service.   The writer of Hebrews, St Peter and St. Paul encourage us to mature spiritually. I pray that God will guide your path as you mature in your faith and grow spiritually.

 

 

 

 

       Pastor Andy  

 

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Another thank you to all the people who bought poinsettias.  They make the church look so pretty.  If you haven't pickup up your poinsettias yet please do so.  If not picked up after the 1st of January I will take care of them.

There are new flower charts in the front.  If you know of a special date that you would like to have reserved put it one the sheets or let me know.  As always you have two options - You can provide them but they must be at the church by the 8:00am service.  Even if you do provide them, let me know so I won't worry about the Altar.  If you would like me to get them for you, the cost is $15.00 or if you want something extra the cost is accordingly.  I must know by Thursday of that week.  My number is 913-837-2997.  Make your check payable to Sandy Barsh.  Thanks for your help.  Please give me a

call if you have any questions. 

Sandy