By Michael E. Brooks

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7).

Many have observed, "be careful what you ask for, you might receive it." Perhaps the best known illustration of this principle was legendary King Midas, whose wish for the "golden touch" turned into tragedy.

I observed a real life example a few years ago in Nepal's Chitwan National Park. Several groups of tourists made daily excursions into the jungle looking for some of the native plants, birds and animals preserved there. Especially prized were sightings of the endangered one horned Asian rhinoceros. Such sightings were made more easily and with much greater safety from the backs of domesticated elephants, but each day groups also hiked the trails, looking for rhinos.

One morning our group returned from a different activity to find some of the day's hikers in a mood of great excitement. They had seen rhinos! But they had not just seen them; they had actually experienced a mother rhino's charge, when they came upon her and her calf and got too close. To say they got more than they had hoped for is undoubtedly a great understatement. Fortunately there were no injuries, but the situation was one of great danger.

Wishes are often rashly and hastily expressed. We want something, but do not consider all the ramifications of what the gratification of that desire will be. Young couples want a baby, often without really making the commitment to financial responsibility, discipline and the nurture and guidance that the child will definitely require. Young people desire to "grow up", but again without thinking through the responsibilities of adulthood.

This is the beginning of a new year. It is traditionally a time of goal setting and resolution. Have you thought through all your goals, all your hopes for the year? Are you prepared for the responsibilities and consequences which achieving them will entail? Remember, our Lord promises that we will receive that for which we ask him. Setting goals and making resolutions is a good thing, but only if we do so thoughtfully, responsibly, and with the commitment of which the goals are worthy.

by Tim Hall

Dorothy Fletcher didn't realize what a good decision she had made as she boarded her flight. By the end of the day, however, she owed her life to that decision.

Dorothy, according to an Associated Press article from December 31, is a 67-year-old resident of Liverpool, England. She was on her way to her daughter's wedding when she started experiencing difficulties. A flight attendant quickly asked the passengers if there was a doctor on board who could help. Fifteen cardiologists, all bound for a conference in Orlando, stood and offered their services. After spending two days in intensive care in Charlotte, NC for a heart attack, Dorothy was able to make her daughter's wedding.

Not every flight has such expert medical care on hand. Dorothy's decision to board this particular plane was not made with cardiology care in mind, but it turned out to be a wonderful perk.

Standing in the terminal of life, each of us must make our decisions about which direction to take. Many flights bid for our attention, promising exotic and exciting destinations. One flight stands out for its simple promise: "Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the Lord has promised good things . . ." (Num. 10:29, NKJV). This is not a pleasure cruise kind of flight. But something about its up-front style of advertising appeals to us. We decide to board this flight called Christianity.

Along the way, we experience difficulties. Other flights can't furnish the help we need; they can only land at the nearest airport and leave us seeking out help on our own. The Lord's flight, though, is blessed with the constant presence of the Great Physician. He can provide expert care for whatever needs we experience.

Look more closely at the advertising: "Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs, I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you" (Isa. 46:4). Here's another statement of the Lord's offer: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. . . . I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance" (Lk. 15:4-7). The captain of our salvation (Heb. 2:10) is able to help us - and He is always willing!

The flight before us is long. There are bound to be hard times in store for each of us. Having the right help available when we need it can be the difference between life and death. Let us choose wisely. Let us make sure that we get on the right flight.

by Mike Benson

Fishing was their livelihood. It put food on their table and a roof over their heads (Mark 1:29). 1/ Fishing “paid the bills.” But these two brothers quit their boats and nets and immediately followed Jesus (Mark 1:18).

Remember also that Simon and Andrew not only left their jobs, but their families as well (Mark 1:30; cf. Matt. 19:27; 1 Cor. 9:5). It was kind of like being in the army reserves and receiving a call to serve in Iraq (cf. 2 Tim. 2:4). The brothers were already acquainted with Jesus (cf. John 1:35-42; 2:1; 2:13, 17, 22; 3:22; 4:1-27, 31, 43-45; Luke 5:1ff), but some time later He summoned them to active, permanent duty (cf. Luke 22:28).

Vocation. Close relatives. Simon and Andrew walked away from both. “So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him” (Luke 5:11; cf. Gen. 12:1). Read those words again slowly. Let them sink down into your heart. “...They forsook all...”

Would you quit your job at a moment’s notice? Would you close your business on an impulse, pack your bags, and then bid farewell to your loved ones for an undisclosed length of time? No? Simon Peter and Andrew did.

Now stay with me for a moment. Don’t get lost.

Could this be why some of us never set and attain genuine New Year’s resolutions? Could this be why many are unwilling to pursue real change in their lives? Could this be why goals are often little more than lofty “pie-in-the-sky” wishes? You see, following Jesus means leaving certain things behind (cf. Mark 10:28; Luke 5:28; 18:28). It means forsaking our nets and walking away from the lazy comfort of the status quo. For children of God, it means constantly changing our “spiritual street address” (cf. 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18) and venturing into unknown territory (cf. Heb. 11:8). For Simon and Andrew it meant surrendering familial bonds, shutting down their "seafood restaurant" and living out of their suitcases (Luke 9:3). (It’s one thing to do a weekend gospel meeting in another state; it’s another thing entirely to become a full-time, traveling missionary). Where would they sleep at night? /2 How would their meals be provided? There were no welfare programs to help the brothers find housing during their "tour of duty" in Palestine. The Roman government certainly didn’t offer food stamps to itinerant Jewish preachers. They couldn’t depend on monthly social security checks to “make ends meet”. They just left; “...they forsook ALL...”

Maybe that’s why so many of us shun the opportunities afforded by the new year. Maybe we reject the promise of self-improvement and growth because 1) resolutions require legitimate change—i.e., leaving, 2) change means uncertainty, and 3) uncertainty scares us. The fear of the unknown is so paralyzing that we never leave our boats and nets for the real "trophy catch" (Phil. 3:13-14):

<blockquote>.   Starting and maintaining a regular exercise program demands self-discipline (i.e., sweaty exercise sessions, calisthenics, etc.).  Uncertainty whispers, “What if I fail and even gain more weight?”  

.  Curbing a hot temper requires much more than an empty promise at the start of January.  Fear inquires, “What happens if, in a moment of weakness, I ‘lose it’ again?  Then what?”

.  Learning to teach an adult auditorium Bible class means leaving the quiet confines of a padded pew and standing in front of people who sometimes know more Scripture than we do (cf. Heb. 5:12-14).  Are we really willing to "forsake all" in the interest of the maturation of our faith (Gal. 5:22-23; Col. 3:12-15; 2 Pet. 1:5-11) and the good pleasure of our heavenly Father?</blockquote>     

What about you, dear Christian? Are YOU willing to forsake all? Can you, like Simon and Andrew, leave your nets and boats and step out in faith for the journey ahead?

The calendar says Thursday, January 1, 2004. I urge you to leave--immediately.

All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.

All to Jesus I surrender, humbly at His feet I bow; Worldly pleasures all forsaken, take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power, let Thy blessings fall on me.

I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

1/ See John MacArthur, "Peter," Twelve Ordinary Men, 37. 2/ Hospitality was a sacred duty in this NT culture.

by Barry Newton

I suspect that when most people go to visit someone in a hospital bed, they anticipate trying to minister to the ailing one through their presence, words, and prayer. They probably do not expect to walk away having received words of wisdom.

A few months ago, my expectations were turned upside down as I visited a fellow Christian in the hospital. As we talked, our conversation turned to the scriptures. It was not long before she interjected into our conversation:

"You don't work to be saved, you are saved to work."

How aptly spoken! How beautifully faithful to the Scriptures! What a wonderful thought to guide our perspective toward serving God in the new year!

This simple expression steers us away from a number of pitfalls which God's people can easily fall into, as it directs us toward a healthy perspective of our spiritual life. May we live up to the calling God has given us as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12; Eph. 4:1).

by A. A. Neale

December 31st is a special day to me. It means I have finished up one more year of life chocked full of love and blessings and family and friends. The Lord has been good to me in every sense of the word, and I can't complain about a thing.

Oh, sure, I've had a lot of bumps and taken plenty of wallops in my time. But every good road has a clod now and then, so I'll not complain of the ride because of it.

January 1st is a special day to me, too. It means I have stuck my foot into a new year, and, though only the good Lord knows how far I'll make it, it gives even an old codger like me a chance to learn new things, spread around a little of my limited wisdom, and head a soul toward eternity together with God.

And that's where I want to land today. I want you to make double- triple- quadruple-sure that your life is right with God today.

You may be a Christian who is not faithful to God's call. You can make that right, here and now.

You may be a religious person following tradition because your parents or aunt or uncle did. Please know, my good friend, that you're walking a dangerous trail. Throw away any teaching that denies, contradicts, or cancels out the commandment of God (Mark 7:1-13).

You may have no spiritual commitments at all. You may be what they call a seeker, or melon-thumper, but haven't made up your mind yet. This is a perfect time to jump whole-hog into the life with Christ.

That means your next step is to put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and follow him to the cross, by turning from sin to serve God, publicly acknowledging him as your Master, and plunging into a pool of water where he has said you will meet the blood that gives life. (See Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Luke 24:46-47; Rom. 10:10; 1 Pet. 3:21.)

The writer of Hebrews pitied those poor Israelites who offered the same old sacrifices year after year and never got a clean bill of health. "But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year" (Heb. 10:3, NKJV).

God's people today have a weekly reminder, nay, a daily reminder of the One Final Sacrifice that took care of all sin for all time. (Instead of remembering sin, they remember forgiveness!) But I find the new year a great time to celebrate as well, much like the old wino who took any little reason for another swig.

I'm swigging on the forgiveness of Christ, and I'll take any little time marker or personal reason of yours or mine to celebrate. More than anything, I want to enlarge that celebration and include as many folk as I can. That means you, too.

So let's hit January 1st, if the Lord lingers that long and you and I make it to the new year, as a special day given to the Lord, because we are saved by the blood of the Lamb. Make it right, make it sure, make it certain.

This is one thing we can't afford to mess up.

Let's make it a happy new, new year.