Happy New Year!

Pray that God will fill the Slavic believers with a hunger for His Word: "Desire the sincere milk of the Word" (1 Peter 2:2), and a spirit of prayer: "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Ask God to call many young men and women to serve Him sacrificially and sincerely in places of leadership. Pray that some will choose to serve in other Slavic countries as missionaries. Intercede for the Christian leadership in Eastern Europe that they will withstand the powers of darkness and remain stable in their spiritual roles.

God has opened to us another year to live and labor for Him. He has granted us another year to share the good news of salvation. God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). He is building His church and asks each Christian to assist in this wonderful endeavor. Let us look at the new things God has given His children in the past, the new things for the present and the new things He will give in the future.

I. New Things in the Past
God has made the believer a new creation.
“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

God has made for the believer a new covenant.
“For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15).

II. New Things in the Present
God has made the believer a new man.
“And put on the new man, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:24).

God has given the believer newness of life.
“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

God has given the believer a new commandment.
“A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34).

God has shown the believer a new way to enter His presence.
“Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20).

III. New Things in the Future
God will cleanse this world and make a new heaven and new earth.
“But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

God will make all things new.
“And He who sits on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. And He said, Write for these words are faithful and true” (Revelation 21:5).

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:10

Pray that the Gospel will reach the millions in the Slavic countries that have not yet heard what Christ has done for them. Many small cities and towns still do not have an official place of worship. Ask God to help the Slavic churches be effective witnesses in their neighborhoods. Pray that souls will continue to be saved, baptized and discipled through the ministries of the church. Pray that the Holy Spirit powerfully and persistently will convict men of sin and lead many to believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.