Things I Know About 2017

Things I know about 2017

Acts 4:5-22

Happy New Year everyone! I trust that you had a great time with family and friends over the holidays. Here we are in 2017 a brand new year and a fresh start for us all.

A New Year can be a difficult thing for some folks. It carries with it the uncertainty of not knowing what lies ahead. Some folks are really put off by not knowing things. Do you know anyone like that? Folks who just need to find out what’s going on in your life or someone else’s? These folks seem determined to know all the details no matter how trivial.

“I’m reminded of a lady who had called the hospital to inquire about a patient’s condition. She called the nursing station and asked…”I want to know whether a patient is getting better or worse or will be released from hospital can you help me”? Why yes said the nurse can I have the patient’s name?

I’m calling about Sarah Finkel in room 302.

“Let me see her chart, yes it says Mrs. Finkel is doing very well. In fact she had two full meals today, her blood pressure is fine, and her test results look normal, she’s going to be taken off the monitors in a couple of hours and we expect that Dr. Cohen will be sending her home on Tuesday at twelve o’clock.”

The caller said… “Thank God!” That’s wonderful to hear! Just fantastic news!

The nurse said “by your reaction I suspect you are a close family member or a very close friend?”

“Not exactly said the caller “I’m Sarah Finkel in Room 302. Nobody here tells me anything!”

Source: Jokes, Quotes and Anecdotes pg.40 by A. Daniel Goldsmith www.xulonpress.com © 2010

Well God is not keeping us out of the loop in 2017. He has made His plans very clear for all us. We need not be frustrated or perplexed or alarmed or even afraid about what the New Year will hold for us. Instead we can be confident and assured that everything will work out just as God intends it to. In fact we can share with others the things that we know for certain just as Saint Peter did in our scripture passage for today. Acts 4:5-22

We know things in 2017 that are just as true today as they were in St. Peter’s day.

We know that Jesus loves us. John 3:16-17 NIV

“ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

We know Jesus came to save us from our sins.

Luke 19:10 New International Version (NIV)

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

We know that forgiveness is available to any and all who call on Jesus and put their faith in Him.

Mark 2:10 New International Version (NIV)

10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”

We know that what St. Pete said to the religious leaders of his day is true today.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Jesus said…

John 14:6 New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Peter shared what he knew to be true, that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel and the Saviour of the world. That by putting our faith in Christ we do not need to fear tomorrow because we can trust all our tomorrows to Jesus. Jesus has a place for us in Heaven.

John 14:2-3 King James Version (KJV)

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

We are living in a world of political correctness instead of a world of spiritual correctness. The result is that what Jesus taught us to believe in is at odds with the world. Just as what St. Peter shared nearly 2,000 years ago was at odds with the leaders of his time. We may face rejection and even persecution in 2017 for what we believe in and for how we express and even repeat the scriptures that are the foundation of our faith. But don’t let that intimidate you.