As we cross the threshold into a new year, ask the Lord to give you a new beginning of obedience.

Welcome to a new year. God has been so very gracious just to let us live to see a new day and now a brand new year. Henry Longfellow

was once asked how he managed a long and happy life. He pointed to an apple tree one day and

he said the secret of the apple tree is that it grows a little new wood every year. Well, many

of us are returning to work and school and schedules and demands of

normal life, and I want to suggest to you today that our first goal should be this spiritual growth.

A little new wood this year. It doesn't always come quickly. It comes gradually. A day at a time,

a decision at a time, a decision at a time,

a discipline at a time. I think sometimes we try so desperately to make these huge strides and we fail to take the simple steps. And we have to go back again and again to the basics and starting

right where we are. And so with that in mind, I want to bring you on the first day of a

brand new year to a beautiful story that Jesus gave in Luke chapter number 13. Beginning in verse six,

it says, he spake also this parable. A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard,

and he came and sought fruit thereon and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his

vineyard, behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none, cut it down.

Why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also,

till I shall dig about it and dung it. and if it bear fruit well, and if not,

then after that thou shalt cut it down. And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the

Sabbath. Now, we know, of course, that the Lord Jesus was trying to get a lesson across to the

religious leaders and to the children of Israel. He was saying to these

chosen people, look at all that I've done for you to make you fruitful, all the blessings that I've

given, all the opportunity that you've had, and there's still no fruit. And it's a message of both

mercy and judgment. He says, I'm giving you a little space to repent and

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