As we prepare to say goodbye to 2009, I think it is only fitting that we have an inspirational message to guide us as we stand on the threshold of a brand new year. I am so grateful to Dr. Charles Fleshman for graciously agreeing to bring us this timely message. Dr. Fleshman is pastor of First Baptist Church in Ramseur:



A Few Thoughts For A New Year

Oh, the festivities and the splendor of the Christmas. The thoughts of the Advent and the Christ-child's venture to the earth still reminds the world and the Christian community that God loves us. This one event brings a sense of hope as we come to the dawning of a New Year.

With this thought, let us turn our hearts and minds a little closer to what God's Word has to say concerning the coming New Year.

Exodus 14:15 states: "And the Lord said to Moses, Why do you cry to me?" Tell the children of Israel to go forward." NKJV

Here the people of God were in a quandary. Behind them, they were being pursued by the fast approaching mighty Egyptian army.

The Pharaoh was upset because of what God had brought on his people and the fact that he had lost some labor giving slaves.

His intention was to place these people again in captivity. In front of them were the deep waters of the Red Sea.

They were basically trapped looking death or recapture squarely in the face.

Today in our world we are also at such a place. People are in great distress.

Many have lost jobs, erasing the family income.

Other are angry with God concerning other issues in life. This translates into worry and great uncertainty about the future.

The hard question is asked, "Do I take God at His word concerning his faithfulness to me, during this time of great duress or do I withdraw from Him and depend on my own strength to get me through?"

In an earlier verse, Exodus 14:12, the people of God were ready to just give up, accept defeat and go back to being slaves again in Egypt.

Their faith had faltered. It was during this time of tremendous distress that Moses stood boldly for his God and proclaimed in Exodus 14:13 NKJV, "Do not be afraid, Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord."

That same devastating thought held by God's people is consuming the people of God and of the world today.

Our text tells us how we should approach the New Year. The Lord teaches us that we will face difficulties and opportunities during the coming year.

Liken to the children of Israel, we too stand on the threshold of a new beginning.

Our hearts may be aquiver and tremble within us.

However, His message for us to, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord."

Standing still denotes the thought to move forward on our daily pathway with the assurance of God's presence and care.

As God's people, we can never proceed in a victorious manner if we are stricken with humanity based paralyzing fear.

We can know that the "peace of God, which surpasses all understanding (which) will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7) will be there. God will fight for you.

So the children of Israel moved forward with God. They stepped onto the bank of the river and encountered dry land.

How comforting it is to know that even as we enter a new year of uncertainties, God has a path for us to follow.

So the word to us is as we look into the immediate future of 2010, "Go Forward. Happy New Year in the Lord!"

Dr. Charles R. Fleshman is the pastor at First Baptist Church in Ramseur



Pattye Harris of Ramseur shares news of interest from N.C. 49, the Empire Charge area and beyond. She can be reached at (336) 824-8198 and invites readers to call her with information they would like to share.