start fresh! What will you do to make this year a year of "new beginnings"?
Did you make a New Year's resolution?
Some of the more popular Top 10 Resolutions that we make are:
~ Spend more time with family and friends
~ Commit to a new diet and eating choices
~ Give more to charity – time and money
~ Learn something new
~ Make time for fitness
~ Get out of debt
~ Get organized
Most people resist change, but I say, "Change is good!"
Isaiah 43:18-19 says this: “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
As Christians, we are new creatures in Christ. We have a new beginning. We can establish new habits that are godly and useful. We can find new inspiration and a fresh new revelation as we read and study God’s Word. Who doesn't like the idea of a clean slate – a chance to start over?
The Apostle Paul instructs us to know Christ in a new intimate way. That kind of spiritual intimacy caused him to, “…press on and lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:10-12). We have a revelation from Christ that brings a fresh, spiritual comprehension, which in turn gives us apprehension to live out our Christianity with boldness.
Our confidence cannot be in our flesh, but in the power of God. Look to Him with the expectation of what He can do in us and through us. As Paul states in verse 13-14, “but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
In the book of Revelation, John tells us that those worshiping before the throne of the Lamb will sing a new song. In his vision he gazed upon a new heaven and a new earth.
What a great lesson for the "new YOU" and our new life resolutions.
Look forward, not backwards.
Keep your eye on Jesus and the heavenly goal. Pattern your new ideas and habits on what the Word teaches. Model yourself after your Maker and Master. Fix your gaze upon Jesus…He is all you need to walk in the newness of life.
So - take this new year ahead with a grain of salt... Look it square in the eye and face it with boldness and great faith that your Creator has a plan in place for you and yours...
Frances Ridley Havergal wrote the hymn Another Year Is Dawning in 1860 as a celebration of
New Year’s Eve and looking forward in faith to God’s blessings.
What a beautiful tribute to what a New Year can hold in store for us…
Another Year Is Dawning
Another year is dawning:
Dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with Thee;
Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.
Another year of mercies
Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness
In the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning
Upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting,
Of quiet, happy rest.
Another year of service,
Of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training
For holier work above.
Another year is dawning:
Dear Father, let it be,
On earth or else in heaven,
Another year for Thee.
What are you facing this year? Do you wrestle with a looming financial situation? Are you dreading a changing family dynamic? Do you anxiously await a medical report or future surgery? Is your marriage looking like something out of a horror movie? Take heart... Jesus specializes in new beginnings!
Here’s to a new year full of hope and anticipation in what
God has in store for you!
The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)
Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.
Visit http://www.Godmissionpossible.com
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