NEW YEAR, NEW HOPE, NEW BEGINNING

 

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 

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? 
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8

Have you ever stolen anything regardless of its value? 
Thou shalt not steal. Exodus 20:15

Have you ever used God’s name in vain?

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Exodus 20:7

Have you ever looked at a person with lust?
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28

Have you ever hated someone? 

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal 
life abiding in him.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. 

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be 

good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14

To repent is 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 recognize 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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 12:2).

Be a part of the Great Commission (Mark 16:15).

Fasting (Matthew 6:17-18)

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