Chances

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Philippians  3:13
Here it is the first day of 2017 and many are ready to let the past year go and move on to what lies ahead. That is what believers are supposed to do. Out with the old and in with the new. 

I always look forward to a new year. A chance to begin again. A chance to make things right. A chance to forgive and forget. A chance to be loving. A chance to right wrongs. A chance to learn new things. A chance to nurture friendships. A chance to KEEP resolutions. A chance to give without expecting anything back. A chance to do something outstanding for someone.  A chance to watch what you say and think. A chance to learn to be grateful. A chance to stop complaining. A chance to love those who don't love you back. Add to this list.

Does ushering  in a new year makes you joyful?  You can look forward with hope expectantly to what God is going to do in your life and the lives of your loved ones. Make up your mind to work on your weak areas and to spend more time with Jesus. Now that should make you smile!

PRAYER: Thanks so much for yet another day of life and a new calendar and new year. You have great things in store for those who love you. Help me Lord be intentional in working for you and putting you first. Truly! In Jesus' name. Amen.

On The Sidelines Or In The Game?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Happy New Year! Today is traditionally the day for Rose Parade(I am there in person this year😃), Rose Bowl game, traditional food such as pork and kraut in our family, and making New Years resolutions.  Football though,  seems to overshadow it all. Even a non football fanatic family like mine watches the Rose Bowl game.

The theme of football lead me to ask the all important question in life and that is "are you sitting on God's sideline or are you in the game?" Sideline sitters are important parts of the team but get little action unless the primary 'star' gets worn out or injured. The sidelines of a Christian life would be living a ho hum existence. Maybe too into 'religion' and denominations and not so much into Christ. Maybe you feel the sidelines is just fine and will keep you from being too fanatical. Guess what? I am proud to be a team player and fanatic for the Lord. How about you? 

Are you content remaining on the sidelines or do you want more of Jesus in your life? 

PRAYER: I want more of you in my life. I know Satan is the nasty culprit who tries to keep me down and make me believe the lies of this modern culture. I choose to stay on the team. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: Click link to begin 2016 with a worship song.

http://youtu.be/FrCDh3wizQk

HIP HIP HOORAY!

 I do not know about you, but I love the New Year. It is a chance to start all over. New Year's helps us turn the clock on bad things and make up our mind that now is the time to let things go and start new good habits. Similar to how I feel in spring when plants and flowers are budding is the same way I feel in early January. It is a time on the calendar when fresh things can "bloom" in our lives.

I say "hip, hip, hooray" to 2014! Forget what things bothered you and "purpose" in your heart to do something new. Phillipians 3:13(NIV) says 'Brothers and sisters I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it, but one thing I do, Forgetting what is behind and straining forward to what is ahead.'

Are you able to forgive someone who has hurt you? Are you able to stop holding grudges? Can you let bitterness go? What a fantastic opportunity we have been given simply by a new year rolling around to get off to a right start. Change attitudes if necessary and commit to putting God first in 2014!

PRAYER: You have given me another day and another year to do things differently. Help me not look to the past but to look ahead. Guide me Lord to where you would have me be. In Jesus' name. Amen.

STARTING OVER

Happy New Year! A chance to start new things and make resolutions. A time of new beginnings often brings hope for things you wanted to accomplish but did not. At the end of the old year and ringing in the New Year it is nice to have that chance to say "this is what I plan to do" and why not add "with God's help". 

Have you added any spiritual things to your resolution list? Often a big one might be read through the entire Bible. If that is your goal make sure you pray and ask God to reveal himself to you as you read and do not do it to simply check a block. As you go along make it into a study. Perhaps ask God to fill you with a desire and hunger for the things of the Lord. 

Another spiritual goal could be something like go on a mission trip if you have never done that. It does not have to be overseas but can be right in your own back yard so to speak.  

Do you find yourself complaining or judging others wrongly or being unkind to people? Then a super resolution is to ask God to give you His love for all people. 

The most popular resolution is usually dieting. If this is yours and has been over and over and over again why not put God in the equation and ask Him to make you see your body as His Holy temple and to treat it properly. Pray for discipline and self control and the ability to make this area a true priority this time. 

A good verse to memorize this year is Philippians 4:13( NIV) 'I can do all this through him who gives me strength.'

PRAYER: I thank you Lord that through you I have the power to do all things. I do not have to let the enemy drag me down and cause me to give up. Guide me as I seek to be faithful to the resolutions I have made. In Jesus' name. Amen.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Happy New Year! Well another year is coming to a close. A time to turn from bad things and start turns toward new things. New hopes, dreams, possibilities. A time to let go of hurt, pain and anger and embrace good. 

I always love making a list of new years resolutions and do my best to keep them. This past year, out of ten, about five were kept. It is a good time to purpose in your heart to try something new or change something bad. 

Isaiah 43:19( NIV) says 'See I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and springs in the wasteland.' 

Are you ready to let the Lord have your past and do something new?

PRAYER: Today is the end of a year or successes and failures of joys and sorrows but also a chance to start new and make right the wrongs and focus on you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.