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

Five Things We Can Learn From the Resurrection Aftermath

Resurrection Sunday has come and gone. Christians world-wide celebrated the fact that Jesus’ power was on full display as He overcame death.

In the natural realm, what would the empty tomb represent?  "Empty" denotes void, barren, forsaken, depleted, and lacking. 

The disciples had just witnessed a level of devastation and grief they most likely never knew before. They were confused, lost, and scared....

For some, emptiness represents unfulfilled dreams, dashed hopes, and unmet expectations.  

Do you have an empty place in your life that requires a miracle?  Is your marriage on the verge of a collapse?  Is your child wayward and faltering in the world?  Do you struggle with acute physical pain and limitations?  Jesus can minister to you in whatever circumstances you face in life.

Here are five things we can learn from those closest to Jesus after the resurrection...  (John 20, 21; Luke 24; Mark 16)

1.  Our expectations are not always met.

When Mary approached Jesus' tomb she wasn’t expecting it to be empty. She had come with the other women bearing spices in order to anoint Jesus' body. The thought of a bodily resurrection had not crossed her mind - not yet of course.

2.  We generally don’t like surprises. 

We like things to stay relatively calm and predictable. Mary had already had her world turned upside down. Now she was fretting over the fact that her Lord was missing.

      3.  We often don’t recognize what is right in front of us.

Mary mistook Jesus for the gardener. Her grief and pain clouded her perception. It wasn't until Jesus called out her name that she realized it was indeed Him. She didn't expect to receive that level of personal tenderness and compassion in her fragile state.

4.  We have an inherent propensity to doubt.

Thomas was missing in action when Jesus presented Himself to the disciples. We don't know why he wasn't there - but he wasn't buying any part of their story. He put conditions on his belief and lacked faith in their eyewitness account. He was in effect saying, "prove it!".

       5.  We frequently go back to old habits.

Peter had been in that empty tomb. He knew Jesus was raised from the dead. He saw Jesus when they had assembled in prayer and He showed Himself to them. Days later, Peter was feeling somewhat dejected and told the others he was going fishing. They also went with him, and after fishing all night, caught nothing... just as it was when Jesus found him on the shores of Lake Gennesaret.

So what does all of this have to do with us?  Well... everything. 

We often struggle when we forget that Jesus is alive and still in control.  How can we be so ignorant of those facts when His Word is replete with encouragement and hope?

The examples above end in victory for each one of them. They all became overcomers through the power and person of Jesus Christ. He will do the same for you.

Here is another post from the past to encourage you:   Turn Your Devastation Into Regeneration

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.

Five Things We Can Learn From the Resurrection Aftermath