Embrace Opportunities In The New Year

Prayer: Father God, Lord Jesus, hallowed is Your holy name; thank You for supplying our needs (Your endless love, a renewed heart, family and friends, a roof over our head, clothes on our back, and food on our table). Thank You for forgiving our sins and encouraging us to forgive others. As we transition into a new year, we pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ, unbelievers, and enemies. Lord, we thank You for sustaining us and blessing us with the opportunity and ability to walk and talk boldly under the guidance and counsel of the Holy Spirit. As we step confidently into a new year, guide us to become more physically, mentally, and spiritually fit. In this New Year, guide us to do Your will and live each day accomplishing Your purpose. Let Your will be done through me as I re-position myself in the spiritual world to be a living sacrifice. With all love and obedience, I am ready to go; send me! May the words from my mouth be pleasing to You and food for Your people. Amen!

Message: What was this past year like for you? I testify that it was a mixed bag filled with joy, peace, anxiety, and stress. The beginning of the New Year is a time to evaluate what was (past actions), examine what is (current happenings), and plan what is coming (a mixture of the known and unknown). Looking back over our lives, we will probably find a testimony to help someone.

We need to remember that everything does not have to be smooth sailing to be a testimony. We learn from trials; this is where the most remarkable victories come from because we learn patience and perseverance. When we struggle to deal with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, we learn patience and perseverance because our desire to live eternally with God is more significant than man-made diseases and empty philosophies.

Scripture instructs you to examine yourself and test your work. So, do what the Word of God says and “examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5, NIV). We cannot develop new habits unless we identify old habits and analyze why we do what we do. We must evaluate those old habits and diligently resolve to change what needs to be changed. For example, continuing to make the same promises about exercising that we have spoken about for the past ten to fifteen years is being dishonest with ourselves and God. Maybe we do not need to do more but be more focused and diligent about identifying what needs to be done. Do not be like the man or woman who looks in the mirror and only sees their old self. We must look deeper (behind the reflection) and be more mindful to see the God in us.

The time is now, and the future demands that we humble ourselves and find ways to be peacemakers. “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matt. 5:9). We, children of God, have an innate desire to be peacemakers, so we must try harder to mend broken relationships. Reconcile with that brother, sister, or friend concerning that dispute that happened hours or years ago. The length of time is irrelevant because, as the song says, “It’s in my heart to serve the Lord.” If you are a servant of the Lord, you know “He has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19, NIV). Tell it!

There are too many ways to communicate, not to reach out and try to resolve a situation. Make a phone call, send a text or email. Sometimes, a kind post on Facebook will get attention and encourage someone to contact us. On Christ’s behalf, we implore you to step forward and be the ambassador God called you to be (2 Cor. 5:20).

Like God, time is never-ending. We have the same time (24 hours a day) as everyone else to get right with the Lord. We may think it moves slower or faster at given points in time, but that is our imagination. God has given us enough time; what we do with our time is our choice. In his prayer to God, Moses testified, "Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty if our strength endures” (Psa. 90:10, NIV). No matter our gifts or abilities, we do not control time or the length of our days. However, we can control what we do with our time.

The fact that our time is unlimited and limited is a challenge but not a problem to those who believe. We must use our time wisely because we cannot retrieve what we waste. As we enter a new year, embrace the opportunity to make a change. Let us strive to gain more Spiritual Knowledge and Wisdom. Let us place more emphasis on using our time wisely. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Prov. 1:7). We cannot emphasize how much we need Godly wisdom as we cross the threshold of every new year!