Mitchell County

Howdy Folks,

Here we are once again at the start of a New Year. Are you ready for the New Year? We often hear people say, “What happened to the year? It went by so fast.” If we don’t pay attention, this year will pass just as quickly as the last one did.

Have you started thinking about your plans for the New Year? Have you asked yourself how you can make this a better year than last year in your Christian walk with the Lord? I believe it can be summed up in one word—attitude. How we serve God in the coming year will play a big part in how this year turns out.

Take time to reflect and ask yourself what kind of attitude you had last year. Were you thankful or unthankful? Happy or sad? Giving or stingy? Positive or negative? Hateful or merciful? Only you know what type of attitude you carried last year.

You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you. In doing so, you master change rather than allowing it to master you. We must understand that attitude is a small thing that makes a big difference in our lives.

The Bible says:

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
Psalm 100:2–3 (KJV)

We have all had the experience of someone serving us in a restaurant. Sometimes the experience is good, and sometimes it is not. Both servers may bring the food, refill drinks, provide napkins, and present the check—but what makes one experience enjoyable and the other unpleasant?

One word: attitude.

A server’s attitude can be the difference between a positive dining experience and a negative one. It may even determine whether you ever return to that restaurant.

In the same way, our attitude in serving God leaves either a positive or negative impression on those we serve in His name. How we treat others as representatives of Christ leaves a lasting mark. Is it any wonder that the psalmist instructs us to serve the Lord with gladness?

It is not just what we do for God, but how we do it that matters to Him. Serve the Lord today—and throughout this year—with a glad and thankful heart. You belong to Him, and you get to represent His Kingdom in the coming year. Don’t let this year slip by without serving Him.

John Maxwell once said, “The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes.” That is the day we truly grow up.

Happy New Year,
Pastor Steve

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Steve Williams is the pastor of Berry Chapel Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. You can read more good Christian news from Steve HERE.

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