E-Newsletter January 2010
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A Word from the President
I have a friend who asks the same question each time we have occasion to see each other. For over 40 years now, his first words have always been, “So, what’s new?” My answer to these words is as predictable as his question. “Oh, not much.”
On January 1 at 12:00:01 am, you no doubt turned to someone near you and uttered these familiar words, “Happy New Year!” To you, I ask my friend’s question. “So, what’s new?” For billions of people around this world the answer to that question is, “Not much.” It’s just the beginning of a new year but nothing more. Their lives go on unchanged. Pain, depression, guilt, hopelessness, anxiety, fear, hate – these are just some of the words that describe the lives of so many. For them, this new year will be much the same as the last. But what about those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ? What’s new?
Jeremiah wrote: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lam. 3:22-23). Jeremiah affirms that for those who trust in the Lord, His compassion and His faithfulness are experienced new every morning. In fact, the Bible talks about a host of “new” things for believers. For example, there is the “new covenant,” the “new earth,” the “new name,” the “new commandment,” and the “new heaven,” to name a few.
But my personal favorite is found in 2 Cor. 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! This text is a constant reminder to me that what’s new is me. I’m a new creation. It’s not anything I did – but it is everything He did. Because I am a new creation, I get to enjoy His compassion that is new every morning. I now have a new name. I’m obedient to a new commandment. I live under the blessings of the new covenant. I now look forward to the new heaven and the new earth.
“So, what’s new?” For those who have put their faith in Christ, everything is new – not only new at the beginning of a new year, but new every day. And with each new year and each new day, we are blessed with opportunities to make a difference. Opportunities to tell others of this new life we now enjoy.
At Bethany, this new year marks the conclusion of 65 years of ministry. By God’s grace we have come a long way while retaining our focus on ministry preparation. As I reflect on 2009 and years past, I am thankful for God’s faithfulness and provision. Yet, I am aware of the challenges and needs of the year before us.
- We are in need of God to touch the hearts of our faithful supporters so we will be able to end this year with a balanced budget.
- We need God to move in the hearts of many young people and call them to ministry and to ministry preparation at Bethany.
In the face of these and other challenges, I am confident that the God who does new things every day will continue to pour out His blessings on Bethany this new year. May He also pour out new blessings on you this year as you faithfully serve Him.
Arthur W. Maxwell
President
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