Front Page, Jan. 2015
Expository Files, 22.1
A New Year, A New Book
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With this delivery, we begin our 22nd year of Expository Files. Jon and I are grateful to God that we’ve had this privilege. And we are consistently aware that an undertaking like this requires more than compatible co-editors. Our wives have played a vital role in helping us with the work, and in some cases other family members have helped (thanks Nathan!). Our writers supply the “food” we serve up each month. Our readers and their comments spur us on to keep this going and sometimes offer valuable criticism.
Jon and I have committed to publishing one book each year, so long as we are able. This month, our third book is being released. CHRISTIANITY IN TWELVE WORDS is a simple, devotional type book covering some of the core subjects presented to us in the New Testament. If you are reading this on a device that recognizes hyperlinks:
Click Here To View Then Purchase
The Print Version Of This New Book
( Kindle Version Will Be In Pre-Release Until Jan. 1)
Click Here To View Then Purchase
The Kindle Version of This New Book
As 2015 begins, Jon is the lead editor for our next book. See the final page for his teaser. Keep reading. Send us your comments. May God bless you in the new year. Back to Table of Contents
What does the Lord have in store for me this year? You’ve
probably heard the old saying, “The Lord helps them that help themselves.”
Actually, that particular statement is not found in the Scripture, but the
principle is indeed found there. In fact, prayer itself is based upon faith
that God hears and provides, but praying to a God who hears does not take
away from our own individual need to act responsibly.
For example, the Christian is told to work to earn a living and thus support
himself and his family, as well as to place himself in a position to be able
to help others in need (Eph 4:28). On the other hand, we are told to pray
for our daily bread (Matt. 6:11). So where is our food to come from? From
our work, or from our prayers? The answer is “From both!” Every good thing
comes to us from God above in one way or another. Prayer recognizes this,
but it would be incorrect to pray for food and then not to
work for it; or to pray for good health and then not practice good health
habits. Doing such is what Jesus called “tempting God.”
I am confident about the upcoming year. This confidence has nothing to do
with various indicators that most people consider when trying to discern
whether or not it will be a good year. The word of God tells us that “this
is the confidence that we have before Him, that if we ask anything according
to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14). Certainly much of what God does
and how He does it is far beyond our comprehension, but we have confidence
that He hears us and intervenes according to His purpose when we ask
according to His will, and this includes accepting our own responsibilities
as His people.
God will direct history according to His purpose, and in whatever
circumstances I find myself, He will provide what I need to make this a
successful year. I can glorify Him in every situation. That is what I choose
to do.
