Making Changes For The New Year

Making changes for the New Year

Introduction-

This morning we look at the end of 2018 and move toward the beginning of 2019. 2018 has been a challenge for the church in many ways but also has been a blessing in many ways. Individually we have seen many struggles, but we know without a shadow of a doubt that God can change circumstances and make the New Year a year of blessing.

When we say Happy New Year to someone, we are inviting the New Year to be a better year than what we are coming out of.

We are passing on a blessing that we hope will see answers to people’s prayers, improve their health, and have more happiness.

Every year people stay up after midnight to see the old year out and the New year in.

Pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves and an Optimist stays up to see the New Year in.

Here’s something to think about-

If nothing changes, nothing will happen different.

If you do not have a plan for the New Year, the New Year will fast become the Old Year and you will be at the same spot next year.

The great theologian “Oprah” says “Cheers to the New Year and another chance to get it right.”

I agree with her here, we are at the beginning of a New Year and we have a chance to change some things that will in fact change our lives.

Every year people move out of state, change their jobs, make a lot of resolutions, make promises to self and to others and by the end of January they are in the same funk that they ended December with- why? Because nothing changed- they do the same old thing, the same old way, and they wonder why nothing different happen.

Let me tell you something, some things need to be retained, some things need to be removed, and some things need to be remembered. Wisdom is knowing what to do with each thing in our lives.

Retained

Removed

Remembered

God’s Word and God does not change, “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” He means what He said, and will do what He says. So for us to look to the New Year, we have to look at our lives and see where we are at and what or who we put our faith in and are we willing to make the necessary changes that will put us in a right relationship with God.

A believer looking to the future is going to be different than a non-believer.

The believer should be looking at it through the eyes of faith that God knows the plans that he has for us and it is plans to give us a future and a hope based upon God’s promises that He will never forsake us and will walk with us.

A believer looks to the New Year with the truth that he does not have to do it alone, that God Himself will dwell within you and help you.

A non believer is forced to look at the New Year through the eyes of accomplishment and luck.

He/she must base it upon wither life is shining upon him/her and the risk that they may nor may not get a break and stay in the same or worse condition.

Which one are you? And what are you putting your faith in?

We have to do a bit of a checklist to see through which eyes we are approaching the New Year

Will we allow the Lord to be Lord in our lives- Yes or No

Will we be obedient to God’s Word or do things our own way- Yes or No

Will we trust God or are we putting our trust on just our own accomplishments and breaks- yes or No

How we answer those questions will determine what we retain in our lives, what we remove from our lives, and what we hold dear to or remember in those times of trials.

Let’s for a moment look at the New Year as believers and what we can expect-

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

2 Corinthians 5:17-

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

It is easier to look at the New Year with the mind of Christ helping us right?

The future looks brighter when we see the future that God has a plan and He desires not to harm us but give us that hope and a future.