Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

	The Purpose of Our Existence
[Quran 51:56] I did not create the jinns and the humans except to worship Me alone.


	God's Infinite Mercy
[Quran 39:53] Proclaim: "O My servants who exceeded the limits, never despair of GOD's mercy. For GOD forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful."

[Quran 2:153] O you who believe, seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.


Each new year, in fact each new day, is a new opportunity to devote ourselves to God alone. If we find ourselves having fallen away from the path, we can repent to God (Quran 66:8, 4:146, 2:160, 5:74) and devote ourselves to doing better. God says He will surely forgive those who repent, believe and lead a righteous life (Quran 20:82, 39:53). And if we are already on the path of worshiping God alone and observing His commandments, we can steadfastly persevere in that journey.

We don't know how many more new years we have before our time is up, so we must grab the opportunity to live a righteous life now while we still have a chance.

New Year's reflection: What can I do today to grow closer to God?


References:
Why Were We Created? https://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix7.html or watch video at https://youtu.be/LKrk3v00r80
Friday Sermon of Dr. Khalifa (1 Jan 1988), https://youtu.be/E5wzQ_-6_bg?t=1453
Road To Happiness: Seek to Please God, https://www.masjidtucson.org/submission/perspectives/happiness/roadtohappiness.html

Peace.