A New Year

 

A new year. A new calendar to open and start fresh. An opportunity to live for God more than we have last year…to do more for His kingdom – praying more, witnessing more, fulfilling our callings, making those things a reality that God put in our minds to do that we never acted on.

A new year. An opportunity to make positive changes in our life. To make clear our focus on what is truly important. To focus on that which is eternal, letting go preoccupation with that which is temporary. 

There is great satisfaction knowing that we have spent our time well. 

Our spiritual life is eternal. Knowing Jesus, His wisdom, His ways, is of infinite value. 

Bringing the gospel of Jesus to the world – the knowledge of His gift of repentance with forgiveness of our sins through His name Jesus in baptism, and the ultimate gift of His Spirit – is truly eternal and the greatest blessing we can share with anyone.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God [because of all he has done for you], that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, [let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think] that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God [Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect]." - Romans 12:1-3

We are here for a purpose.

 

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended [I have not achieved it]: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind [the past], and reaching forth unto those things which are before [looking forward to what lies ahead], I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13-14 

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV