"And Jehovah spoke unto Moses, saying, 'On the first day of the first month shalt thou rear up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting..."' (Exodus 40:1,2). God gave Moses this commandment in the second year after the children of Israel came out of Egypt. I don't know why God chose the first day of the first month for construction of the tabernacle. Perhaps it was for Israel's benefit, to make the work more memorable for them. Whatever the reason, it is well to begin a new year by evaluating our priorities and appraising our spiritual conditions. As we do this, let us examine ourselves, not engaging in the common practice of faultfinding and excuse-making, but looking for those things "we" can do to serve God better. In Joseph's day, The chief butler said, "I do remember my faults this day" (Genesis 41:9).

Realize that time is precious. David prayed that he and the people might realize they did not have a perpetual lease on life. He prayed, "So teach us to number our days..." (Psalm 90:12). No moment can be recalled or reclaimed... It cannot be put back on the clock or calendar. Peter said, "for all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass, the grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away" (I Peter. 1:24). James described our lives as "vapors that appear for a little time..." (James 4:14). The conscious apprehension of approaching death and the brevity of time makes one more careful; sobers one's thinking about the seriousness of sin (Ezekiel 18:20) and the opportunity to serve (Matthew 25:14-46). Of a certainty, we are appointed both to die and to account for our sins (Hebrews 9:27). Paul commanded us to "redeem the time" (Ephesians 5:15-16), literally, to buy up the opportunities. We have time and opportunity NOW (2 Corinthians 6:2). Now is the time to teach our children, to worship and serve God faithfully. If you knew you would not live beyond this year, would you change anything?

Would you change the way you think? Certainly, this is a challenge! Paul warned the saints at Corinth "lest your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3). When the mind is corrupt, the whole being becomes contaminated (Matthew. 15:19-20). We are to control our thoughts and think on the right things (Philippians. 4:7-8). We must set our minds on "things above" (Colossians 3:1,2), and "bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). "For as a man thinketh in his heart. so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).

Would you change the way you worship? Christians are commanded to assemble together to worship God (Hebrews 10:25). Early Christians came together "on the first day of the week" to remember the Savior and to pay homage to the God of heaven (Acts 20:7). Even during intense persecution, the Lord's disciples met together under adverse circumstances to escape the wrath of the emperor. Their adoration was truly from the depths of their being. They realized the sacrifice Jesus made when He offered up His life's blood on the cross. They were glad when it came time to assemble with other Christians. David of old expressed it, "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:1).

New Testament Christians met regularly, on each week's first day, to receive the encouragement and challenge they needed to go forth throughout the week in service to God. Oh, how we need to change--to change our thinking about assembling together with the saints. Beloved, our assembling together is just the beginning point. From it, we gain incentive to engage the enemy and accomplish God's great work. Let us prayerfully use the moments we worship together as spring-boards for action in service to our Master and King.

Would you change the way you study the Bible? Lack of knowledge has always gotten God's people into trouble. Hosea said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). The frightening fact is that very few people (and this includes members of the church), really study God's word. A host of presumptuous sins arise from ignorance. Jesus rebuked the Sadducces, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29). Peter charged that it was the sin of ignorance that crucified Christ (Acts 3:17). We are commanded to "study to present ourselves approved unto God..." (2 Timothy 3:16,17); yet, many fail to realize this is the only road to the knowledge of God's will. Numerous Bible classes are offered, and many materials are available to assist with our study, but the effort to learn must come from each individual. Will you change and avail yourself of such opportunities, that you might "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). If you knew you were going to die this year, would you be consistent about coming to the Bible classes, ON TIME, with MINDS and LESSONS PREPARED, to study God's word?

Would you change those with whom you associate? Christians need regular association, aside from the scheduled church assemblies, with other Christians. We need each other for strength and encouragement. It is unlikely we can survive alone. Over 100 times, the New Testament writers use the term one another--love one another, comfort one another, exhort one another, serve one another, use hospitality to one another, etc. Christians should make friends with those in the world for the purpose of evangelizing, but our closest friends should be those in Christ! When Christians select, as their closest companions, those of the world, it is to their own spiritual ruin. Paul stated as a matter of FACT, "be not deceived; evil companionships corrupt good morals" (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Would you change your attitude toward the lost? How horrible it is to be lost, separated from God because of sin (Isaiah 59:1,2; Ephesians 2:1,2). We sing the song, Into Our Hands... "Millions are groping without the gospel, quickly they'll reach eternity's night; shall we sit idly, as they rush onward? Haste let us hold up Christ the true light...Into our hands the gospel is given. Into our hands is given the light. Haste let us carry God's precious message, guiding the erring back to the right..." Indeed, we have the gospel, the precious message of salvation. How many did you teach during the past year?

Would you ask "Lord, what will you have me do?" Will He be satisfied with the same job you did this year? May God's rich blessings abide with us as we strive to serve Him faithfully in 2000. Let's try to make the changes necessary to make this year the best year ever in our service to God? Will you join me? (edited KG)