The end of one year and the beginning of a new one is the time of both reflection and inspiration.

We look back on what has been and in faith believe for greater things than the next.

This practice should be used in our spiritual life as well.

Will you purpose to grow in your faith, love, and knowledge of God in the upcoming year?

Today, Scott Pauley shares with us thoughts from God's Word that will help us make the New Year count for Christ.

Thank you. will help us make the new year count for Christ. When you come to the close of a year or the beginning of another,

typically you're thinking about goals.

Lots of people set ideas about what they hope to accomplish and certain objectives that they have in the coming year.

It's a reflective time.

And I don't think that's all bad.

Reflection can be very good.

In fact, in Scripture, we're told to examine ourselves, and I think that's helpful.

I would say to you that sometimes reflection can be so much introspection

that we get our eyes on ourself and off of the Lord. And the caution that I would give is that as

we're reflecting on the previous year and as we're preparing for a new year, that we not simply

get wrapped up in our thoughts, that we get

wrapped up in the Lord, that we turn our affection and attention to God and to spiritual

realities. I want to talk to you, if I may, from the book of Jeremiah, from Jeremiah chapter

number 17, because in Jeremiah 17, there is a most unique expression.

It is, if I might say, one of the real interesting phrases in scripture that describes a year.

Let me read just a few verses, beginning in Jeremiah 17 in verse number five, where the Bible says,

Thus saith the Lord, cursed be the man that trusteth in man,

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