If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and then turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
                                                                                                            II Chronicles 7:14

As we enter into a brand new year, what a great opportunity we have to turn over a new leaf in life -- to put the mistakes and the failures behind us.  Start fresh!  In the year 2006, I've had some failures in my life.  Today, I'm going to turn the page on 2006.  I am going to open up a brand new chapter and look forward to a new day with Christ.

As a church we have fought many battles in the year 2006.  Some may have been watching us from time to time.  They may have made this statement, "If you have to go through all that, I am not sure I want to be a part of your church."  The advantage we have is we have a Helper -- right, Church?  We had Jesus.  The world doesn't have access to the help that God provides His people.

"If my people, which are called by My name"  -- Christians.  The word "Christian" means Christ-like.  We are not Christians because we joined the church.  We are not Christians because we were baptized.  We are called Christians because we live as close to being Christ-like as we can be.  Our blessings are based on our walk with God.

Pride is a very ugly emotion that people are caught up in.  They say, "I don't need Jesus.  I am doing just fine without Him."  However, I will tell you something.  I need Him more today than I did yesterday and I will need Him more tomorrow than I do today.  I need to know He is going to be there when I lay down at night.  I need to know He's there when I wake up.  I need to know He is there when I go to bed.  I need to know He will be there when I sit down to lunch.  Without Him we have a big fat "NOTHING."

We have a Savior who is willing to forgive us.  If we seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, He will forgive our sins and heal our land.  Confess all to God, not to me, JR Fields.  All I can do is become embarrassed and wipe sweat.  God hears, forgives and heals.

Sherri sings a song "Healing Rain".  We all need that healing rain from time to time with family problems, emotional and physical problems.

"I will heal their lands."  God wants to heal your heart, whatever the need, whatever the problem.  Let us start the year 2007 out on this note -- if we do our part, God will do His.  If we call upon His name, He will be there to hear, forgive, and heal.


Brother JR Fields........December 31, 2006

Sermon edited by Mary King