Text Box: January 1, 2010 marks the start of a new decade. In the past ten years, we lived through Y2K, 9/11 and the war on terror. In addition, so much has changed in technology and culture. The truth is that much has also stayed the same in that people need a Savior, our hearts are still drawn to sin, and we face daily choices between good and evil. I have read or viewed a number of reflections on the events of the past year or the past decade. I would like to go back to a Psalm from 3,000 years ago to aid us in a reflection on issues of time. Psalm 90:4 says, For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Remarkably, God is outside of time. He is the author of time and not restricted by a clock. God knows what will happen tomorrow and is never surprised by current events. One of the benefits of being a person of faith is that we need not be anxious about the future because in the language of King David, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” If we build a value system that is dependent on temporal things like wealth, beauty or knowledge, we live life on the verge of disaster. If our value system is rooted in our faith and hope in heaven, we are better prepared for life’s challenges and disappointments. Psalm 90:10 says, The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away When the Psalmist wrote this 3000 years ago, people did not have access to medical care that we have today. Even if we stretch the years a little to 90 or 100, the Text Box: second half of the verse is still true, life is filled with ‘trouble and sorrow.’ The Christian faith is uniquely suited to strengthen us for the struggles of life. The core event of our faith is that Jesus was unjustly killed at age 33. Nothing we suffer is as unfair or painful as what Jesus went through. The good news is that Jesus not only understands our suffering, he brought victory out of suffering when he rose from the dead. Death has been swallowed up in victory. Psalm 90: 12 says, Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. We all make hundreds of choices every day. Will we live to please ourselves or think about the needs of others. Will we allow fear to immobilize our lives or will we go to the other extreme and live a reckless life. Will we make choices that God will be pleased with or will we have no regard for God’s opinion of our life. The Psalmist prays for God’s strength to make choices that will lead to a life of wisdom. May we pray the same for ourselves in this new decade. A final verse from this chapter is Psalm 90:14 which says, Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. God’s love for us and our joy in Him are a gift from above. The Psalmist asks for God’s blessing, knowing that times of God’s displeasure is also a possibility. I pray that all of us have a great 2010 because God shines His favor upon us. I look forward to continuing the journey of faith along with you in this new year. -Pastor Rick Text Box: Reflections on Time Text Box: January 2010 Text Box: Fort Lee Gospel Church 1625 Palisade Ave. Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (201)947-1465 Pastor: Rev. Rick Spenst Web site: www.fortleegospel.org E-mail: fortleegospel@juno.com

Members Class

2

Youth Group

2

Prayer Meeting

2

Faith & Reason

2

January Events

3

Women’s Study

3

Leadership

3

New Year’s Resolution

4

Gospel News