Mat 2:1-2  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him

My wife & I always try to go to the store after Christmas looking for some discounted Christmas cards & we noticed that they already had Valentine’s day stuff out. Wow, they don’t waste any time. Christmas isn’t even over yet & we’re already forced to think about next year. 

-But you know its not a bad idea to start thinking about next year. I mean the wise men thought ahead. They had to plan ahead. The Bible says in Prov 4:26 to ponder the paths of our feet & all our ways will be established”. That means we should think about the direction were going with are life, the decisions,the priorities were making before we act on them.SO what direction are going to go next year or as Hollywood use to say what star is your wagon hitched too?

Jesus said it in a different way in Luk 12:34  For where your treasure is, there will your (what) heart be also. I want you to think back thru this year. What was your treasure this year? what kind of things was your heart set upon? Because whatever direction you’re going now is the same direction you are going to go into 2025. Unless you are willing to repent & turn to God & allow him to set the plan & direction for your life. Actually, that’s what the word repent means, Not just confession of your sins before God, but stop the way you are going & changing direction. Your treasure will determine your direction & your direction will determine your pattern of life. It will form your goals & dreams. 

There were some wise men in Matthew chp 2 that knew where their treasure was & they knew where there destination. They may not have always known the exact direction, but they knew if they kept their eyes upon the right star in the sky, they were going to end up going in the right direction. They were Wise men. We need some wisdom in our life. Seek him until you Found Him. Let me ask you, are you willing to do what it takes to seek after Jesus Christ? Are you willing to sacrifice to really know him? That was the wise mens desire. They sacrificed a lot to travel over 1200 miles across dangerous territory to seek Christ. Paul said in Php 3:7-8  But what things were gain to me,  those I counted loss for Christ..for whom I have suffered the loss of all things.that I may win Christ, That I may know him.. 

O Christian, what have you been seeking in your life? What have you been working so hard  for in 2024.

Mat 13:44  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a  man hath found, he hideth,& for joy thereof goeth & selleth all that he hath,& buyeth that field.  What kingdom r you seeking this morning? What dominates your time? Your world?

Mt 6:33 says “seek ye first the kingdom of God”…We spend so much time seeking the kingdom that we forget the kingdom of God. These wise men were willing to sacrifice to seek out Jesus Christ. They studied the prophecies. They traveled for over 2 months. They weren’t going to back until they found Jesus Christ. Did they know everything? No. They had to trust in God along the away but they kept going. I’m sure they got discouraged but they pressed on. We need to press on. Keep seeking him. Keep praying. Keep studying & reading his precious Word. Keep believing. Keep going to church.

What about you in this new year? In your homes, work, at school, will you commit this morning to seek him out? If you cant find him then somethings wrong. If he’s not in your home, if he’s not the reason you go to work, if he’s not the reason you get up every morning, if he’s not your destination every day, then your not going the right direction. 

Ponder the path of your feet. Our you going in the right direction. Our you following the right star? 

Joh 14:5-6  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Matthew Spoonhour is pastor of First Baptist Church, Monroe.