Time for Change - New Year, New YOU

There’s a familiar saying we’ll hear over and over again in the next week: “I’m making a New Year’s resolution to …”

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

~ Begin a new fitness routine

~ Learn something new

~ Get out of debt

~ Get organized

The best time to start a new habit is NOW!

I just love the New Year and what opportunities it brings. I say, “Time for a change - 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.”

It's never too late to start over...

The enemy wants to you think that where you've been and what you've done dictates where you're going. But that is "flawed thinking"! God's grace enables us to begin again. It dares us to take a chance on something new and exciting.

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 a clean slate – a new chance to have a "do over"!

There are four steps to accomplishment: First, plan purposefully; second, prepare prayerfully; third, proceed positively; and fourth, pursue persistently.  (Anonymous)


The Apostle Paul instructs us to know Christ in a new intimate way. That kind of 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). Through God's Word we have a revelation that brings a fresh, spiritual comprehension, which in turn acts as the catalyst to enable us to live out our Christianity with boldness and faith.

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.”

Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.  -Ronald E. Osborn

In the book of Revelation, John tells us that those worshipping 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 Year! We have “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.

The vision to see, the faith to believe, and the will to do will take you anywhere you want to go... (Anonymous)

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.

Here’s to a new year full of hope and anticipation in what God has in store for us!

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.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Time for Change - New Year, New YOU

3...2...1... HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Just like Groundhog Day - it's a replay from the year before... New Year's Eve and all the anticipation that it brings...

We make resolutions, start diets & exercise, begin healthy habits, quit things that we've decided not to do anymore, all in an attempt to start afresh with a clean slate...

So - why do we feel like all the effort never pays off?  What can we do differently THIS YEAR to make our goals and dreams a reality?

Remember, you are in control of your own spiritual destiny with God.  Your mind, will, and emotions play an important part. Your volitional level involves your will (or willingness).  Your emotions and intellect carry out your desire. Make sure you aim for success by making the decision to follow through with your plans.  Here are a few tips to get you started...

First of all ---  Don't stress out!  God's Word declares His mercy and compassion are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).  When we fail (and we will) we know He is a God of fresh beginnings and second chances.  These are two of my favorites verses for encouragement:

Isaiah 43:18-19 “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.”  

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, go give you a future and a hope."

Secondly ---  Map out your overall strategy for the year ahead. Start out with small steps towards your goal. Keep reminding yourself that you're doing better than the previous year. Stay focused on the "big picture" and not on your failures. You will have setbacks and disappointments, so be ready for bumps in the road.  Thank God for your progress and ask Him to help you in your spiritual journey.

Thirdly ---  Keep on keeping on! Don't give up or let the enemy of your soul taunt you. Every day that you set your mind and affection on Jesus Christ is a winning day!  Bask in His Word, keep on praying, and stay in fellowship with other believers. Isolation is one of Satan's greatest weapons. Encourage yourself daily in the Lord.  Ask Him to help you succeed by producing good fruit in your spiritual life (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control).

As we walk day by day through the year 2015, let us be comforted by this great hymn.

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

   Leaning, leaning,

   Safe and secure from all alarms;

   Leaning, leaning,

   Leaning on the everlasting arms.

O, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

O, how bright the path grows from day to day,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

Leaning on the everlasting arms?

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

(Elisha Albright Hoffman)

In this new year resolve to make forward progress towards Christ:

As the Apostle Paul states in Philippians 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.”  

Enjoy two of my favorite New Year's Eve posts from years past:

The New Year - Time For a Change

A Sure Foundation for the New Year

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.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others. 

3...2...1... HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Happy New Year! A Fresh Start...

The New Year is almost here!  A chance to START OVER and begin anew!

The Apostle Paul states in Philippians 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 order to move forward - we must remain unencumbered. No baggage allowed!   

Satan will do his best to remind us of the past, but we need to remind him of his future!

Here are a few Bible verses that can encourage us as we prepare to forge ahead:

Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “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.”  

Romans 8:1 declares, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, go give you a future and a hope."

Psalm 25:4-5 says, "Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day."

Isaiah 54:17 states, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord."

Thomas Kinkade - Millennium Sunrise

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.  Enjoy!

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.

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.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

Happy New Year! A Fresh Start...