January, 2004 Newsletter

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“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, NIV)

Now, it’s on to 2004! Time flies when you’re having fun. But it’s equally true—time flies even when you are not having fun. Moses was wise to pray, “Lord, Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (NLB)

So much has happened so fast that sometimes it’s hard to keep track. News that dominated the front pages earlier in the year are buried under piles of new news. However, the only good news that lasts still come from the Bible. Most of the other news have fingerprints of hopelessness. In California, we’ve had fires, earthquakes, mudslides, and the Governor recall—all in the past few months. Silicon Valley continues its slowdown with the shifting of US high-tech jobs to foreign lands.

The past year was a memorable year. Yet, we’ve had news about losing another space shuttle and its crew, the SARS scare, a US-led war in Iraq, and finally finding Saddam in a rat hole. Is there any hope in what appears to be a repeated cycle of hopelessness? The Bible offers God’s way out to give you hope when you make plans with Him.

He is concerned about where you are headed. God wants you to make wise plans with Him by prayer and applying Biblical principles. Have you a plan for your family; a plan for finances; a social plan; a career plan; and a Spiritual Growth Plan? Have you a reading plan for the Bible? What is your spiritual goal? God promised His people, “I will give you every place where you set your foot.” (Joshua 1:3) What bold plans have you to set your foot on in each one of these different areas?

As you make your plans, the single most important lifestyle plan from God is spelled out in Joshua 1:7-8, “Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.” The message still stands true today even after 3,400 years! Thousands have tried it and found it still works! Don’t get sidetracked from doing God’s best for you. Think, Talk, and Act your life plan based on Biblical principles and you'll always have hope for tomorrow!

— Pastor Jim Sakurai

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