Someone has said, "Youth is when we are allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve and middle age is when we are forced to." It is certainly the case that most of the time age gives us a different perspective on years past and years to come. Yet there still seems to be a freshness to a new year that is filled with expectation of better things and a desire to implement newly devised plans.

As we look toward the future may we look to give better than we receive. It's better to go through extending courtesy, kindness and respect, than to go through life demanding it of others. The actions we control are our own. The scriptures say, "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men" (Romans 12:17).

As we look toward the future we should indeed look before we leap. Being spontaneous may be fine for matters of little consequence, but in regards to major finical decisions, marriage or even the dissolving of a marriage, or other matters that have major repercussions and long lasting consequences we should consider these with seriousness, prayer and the scriptures in hand. "...I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ" (Philippians 1:9-10).

As we look toward the future let's look carefully and thankfully at the things of the greatest value. Jesus said, "...where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21). The things we invest in speak volumes about us. We may say whatever we want about our heart, but our treasure, whether it be things of this world or the true spiritual goals in which we have invested, will be heard over what we say.

For a free non-denominational Bible correspondence course call 830-833-4884 or email bcc102@gmail.com

Church News: We have Bible classes for all ages on Sunday mornings at 10:00. We are beginning a new class on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., January 5, covering the book of Genesis. On Sunday mornings we have a adult class in our auditorium covering the gospel of John. Singing at the Live Oak Nursing Home each second Sunday of the month after our morning service. Everyone welcome.