Looking back can sometimes be dangerous-"Remember Lot's wife" (Lk. 17:32). However, it can be profitable to look back for the purpose of evaluating our relationship with the Lord and looking for ways that we can improve in our service to Him. Paul said, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Cor. 13:5). With this in mind, let us reflect on the year that is past and consider the new year.

"In The Books": Physical & Spiritual

As we look back at the things that happened to us in the year 2005, we can consider them from both a physical and spiritual point of view.

Births Physically, the past year blessed families of this congregation with children being born. Zandrick Boykins and Landan Willcut came into this world. Both continue to do well. Spiritually, Amber Evans was born anew (Jn. 3:3-5), being baptized into Christ on July 17.
Deaths Physically, although no members of the Eagle Lake church of Christ passed away in 2005, former members and close family of members did. Early in the year, Paul Thornhill passed from this life, along with Lucille Smith, Morris Barton's sister, and, more recently, Randall Jordan. Perhaps the closest one to many of us was William Addison. We knew and loved him, and we enjoyed being with him when he was able to attend. Spiritually, only God truly knows the death rate among us. However, it is sad when we think of those who do not attend regularly and/or who have not darkened the door of this, or any other, church building. We must be concerned about the lost and erring, and we must do what we can to restore them (cf. Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19).

Activities Physically, 2005 was the first full year that we have had the family fun nights. There was also a fishing trip that was planned for Tenoroc, but for some reason, it never came to pass. Maybe this year it will! Spiritually, the Eagle Lake church of Christ was active. Individually, Daniel Cook and the preacher went overseas to do mission work, Daniel in Honduras, and Brian in Ghana, West Africa. The congregation here also appointed the following men as deacons: Jerry Addison, Brian Kenyon, and Steve Walling. The most substantial spiritual activity we undertook in 2005 was starting a Hispanic ministry. Our elders are to be commended for seeing the need and for stepping up in faith to begin fulfilling that need. Our members are to be commended for being supportive of the effort to reach the Hispanic community in our area. Some are even contributing financially above their regular first day of the week contribution to help out the work. We are especially thankful for the Padilla family (Lee, Celina, Jeremy, and Hannah) for coming to work with us. They are sacrificing tremendously to be here. They could still use some more support, and, hopefully, more congregations and individuals will get involved financially with the work.

Marriage Physically, the beginning of Daniel and Karla Cook ended the major activities of the Eagle Lake church of Christ for 2005. The beautiful wedding ceremony occurred December 17 at the Central church of Christ auditorium, Winter Haven. Spiritually, as we think about marriage, may our attention turn toward the marriage in which all of us who are Christians are in with the Lord. Hopefully, we were faithful to Him throughout 2005. If not, we need to repent (cf. Rev. 2:4-5). Let us resolve in our hearts to be faithful to the Lord this year. God does not require our perfection, but He has always required our loyalty (Rev. 2:10).

Making 2006 Spiritually Prosperous

As we start 2006 today, may we determine with enthusiasm to live for the Lord one day at a time. The future well being of the Eagle Lake church of Christ depends on us. Below are some things that will help us, individually and collectively, to prosper spiritually in 2006.

Love the Lord Jesus said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment" (Mt. 22:37-38). If we are to prosper spiritually, we must love the Lord, which means that we will do what He says (Jn. 14:15).

Keep the Lord First In Every Aspect of Life Jesus said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Mt. 6:33). Jesus must be the first priority in our lives. If He is not first in our lives, then we are not "fit for the kingdom of God" (Lk. 9:57-62).

Attend Church Services Regularly This is probably the most neglected area in a weak Christian's life, even if that Christian has been a "member" of the church for several years. How can a Christian expect to grow when he or she does not attend Bible study? Certainly, it takes more than attending church services to be a mature Christian, but attending church services is definitely a start. Do we want to be immature babies in Christ all our lives? Then let us make it a goal to attend all the services of the church (Heb. 10:25).

Get Involved With the Work All members of the Eagle lake church of Christ are a very important part of the body of Christ. Though all of us have different talents, the Lord can use each one of us, no matter how insignificant we think our contribution would be. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body... 14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him" (1 Cor. 12:13-18). Let us use our talents to His glory!

Expect To Grow When we love the Lord, put Him first in every thing, consistently attend church services, and get involved with the work, God will bless us. We control our destiny in the Lord for 2006 (Rom. 8:31-39). Let us choose to make it our best year yet!