For many people, the new year represents a new
beginning, a new hope, and new possibilities. Some people tend to greet it with
relief, particularly if the previous year was extremely hard or stressful. It
is also a time of reflection, both on the previous year and on the coming new
year. We don’t have to wait for a new year to arrive to have a fresh start.
We are thankful to our Lord God Almighty every day for
all the blessings that He has bestowed upon us and for bringing us through each
and every year. Every breath in our mouths is a gift given to us by our
Creator. At times, we are facing uncertainty, but through faith, we rejoice
because every day is a blessing from God.
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 KJV
Before you think about or
write down your goals for the new year, maybe it’s a good idea to examine
yourselves internally first. Begin the new year with a repentant heart,
admitting that you've sinned against Almighty God by breaking His laws (the Ten
Commandments).
Have you ever lied? (Revelation 21:8)
Have you ever stolen
anything regardless of its value? (Exodus 20:15)
Have you ever used God’s
name in vain? (Exodus 20:7)
Have you ever looked at a
person with lust? (Matthew 5:27,28)
Have you ever hated
someone? (1 John 3:15)
If you’ve answered yes to
these five questions, by your own admission, you’re a lying, thieving,
blasphemer, murderer and adulterer at heart. We’ve only looked at five of the
Ten Commandments; that’s how God sees you; nothing is hidden from His holy
eyes. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
To repent is to ask for
forgiveness for the sins you have committed (knowing what is right but not
doing it) and to be sorry for who you are and what you are. Change your mind
from the rejection of Jesus Christ to faith in Jesus Christ, and recognise that
He is indeed Lord and Saviour.
Therefore to
him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
James 4:17 KJV
He that
believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son
shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 3:36 KJV
Believing and trusting in
the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ alone to save you from the wrath to come
through His death, burial, and resurrection, and His precious blood that was
shed on the cross at Calvary, God will cleanse you of all of your sins, and He
will fill you with the Holy Spirit, granting you the assurance of eternal life.
You will then be born again with a new heart (spiritually) and have a desire to
do what is righteous.
In whom we have
redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Colossians 1:14
KJV
And I give unto
them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck
them out of my hand.
John 10:28 KJV
As a new creature in
Christ, each day is a chance to turn the page on an old way of life and embrace
a new one through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore if
any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold,
all things are become new.
2 Corinthians
5:17 KJV
The idea of completely surrendering
ourselves to God while depending on Him to bring those goals about according to
His will means that we entrust our future not to ourselves but to God.
Commit thy
works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Proverbs 16:3
KJV
When God is at the centre
of our lives, abiding in Him means our goals can succeed; if it is God’s will
for something to be fulfilled, it will come to pass.
I am the vine,
ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth
forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5 KJV
The new year should also
be a time of renewing old commitments under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Asking
God to help us to:
Increase our prayer life
(1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Read, study, and meditate
on the word of God every day (2 Timothy 2:15).
Overcome temptations to
sin (Romans 6:6).
Be a part of the Great
Commission (Mark 16:15).
Fasting (Matthew 17:21)
The proper response to
the past year, whether good or bad, is not "I made it through" or
"Look what I achieved." It is "Thank You, Lord God Almighty."
Happy New Year to
everyone!
Blessings in Christ,
David & Gay
https://onewaytograce.com
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