Happy New Year from Redeemer and we pray that this new year will be a blessing to you all as we move and bless many more throughout this year...
I was reading one of my devotions and this verse was used with a simple message about how we are new each and every day and we ought to do something about it.
2
Corinthians 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here!
With that - I'm
sure glad the Mayans were mistaken - aren't you? I can't begin to describe how much sleep I
lost on December 20th as I anticipated waking up to hurricanes, blizzards, nuclear
warfare from a crazy nation, and even the tragic end to One Direction's illustrious career...if you don't have a grandchild or student that talks about them obsessively, count yourself lucky...
Actually I
didn't lose one wink of sleep, because I was way too confident that Jesus
wouldn't let His birthday be cancelled because of some sort of galactic alignment, and
I was more than convinced that if my Savior desired that I stick around for at
least one more trip around the sun, I would definitely be here.
How about
you? Does the New Year bring hope and anticipation of seeing and doing the
mighty works of God? Or do you look on 2013 with apprehension and much trepidation? While on vacation last week I saw a shirt in Nashville that said "10 years ago we had Steve Jobs, Bob Hope, and Johnny Cash and now we have NO jobs, no hope, and no cash."
If you feel like that t-shirt...fear
not, my friends, for I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which will be for
all readers! For unto you this day I will present three small steps to ensure you have your best year yet. If you prayerfully and purposely put these
into practice, the next 12 months will be a journey you hardly thought
possible, because impossibility is God's specialty!!!!!
Step One: Be
Still
"Be still, and
know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the
world" (Psalm 46:10).
When was the
last time you were "still"? School, work, stress, drama, sports,
iPods, iPads, Facebook and Facetime make it *virtually* impossible to heed this
timeless command from God.
But if you
want a great 2013, it will start with quieting your soul and centering your
attention on the fact that God is God and you are not. The word for
"still" here literally means to drop your arms - in other words -
take your weak human hands off His heavenly work in your life! You literally do
not even have control over your next heartbeat, so why not take some time each
day this year to slow your pulse, unplug and let the Lord fulfill His
purposes in your life? His main
purpose in our lives is to bring honor to His name, so come triumphs or trials
- know that Jesus is working in ways that we cannot even understand!
Step Two: Be
Satisfied
Keep your lives free from the love of money,
and be satisfied with what you have.
For God has said, "I will never leave you; I will never abandon you"
(Hebrews 13:5).
Is there any
quicker way to ruin your year than wallowing in a disposition of
discontentment? I don't think so! And when you think about the floodgates of
blessings that have been down-poured on America, and more specifically on DeWitt, why would we ever be tempted
to feel like a "have not"? What we
do have is the promise of God's loving and fulfilling presence, which cannot be
compared to all the combined riches on this planet! Rich or poor, single or
involved, healthy or bedridden - God's eternal and unchanging Word remains:
I will not in any way fail you nor give you
up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any
degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down relax My hold on you!
Assuredly not! (Hebrews 13:5, Amplified).
Step Three:
Be Strong and Fearless
Be strong! Be
fearless! Don't be afraid and don't be scared by your enemies, because the LORD
your God is the one who marches with you. He won't let you down, and he won't
abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Can you
picture 2013 as a year of conquest and triumph? 365 days of marching into the
enemy's territory with Jesus as the Captain of our salvation. Yes, there
will be the adversaries of peer pressure, doubt and apprehensive expectations -
but what are they compared to the God who spoke the universe into existence
with just a word and flung the stars into place?
So when you
hear the footsteps of our enemy coming near and shaking the foundations of
your confidence, focus on the banner of the God who shattered the grave and
marches by your side into every battle you could possibly face!
Finally,
if you want to have an incredible year, commit yourself to the causes of Christ
each and every day of 2013. Each moment that passes brings
us closer to Christ's return, so we cannot afford to miss one opportunity to
tell our friends about the forgiveness and salvation offered through Jesus'
death and resurrection.
Here’s what I think, the New Year is upon us, so will you:
- Truly be still and know that He is God?
- Be satisfied with His presence alone?
- Be strong and fearless in the face of our enemies?
And will you
make 2013 the Year of His Cause?
If so, watch
out - this may be the most amazing year you've ever experienced!
God Rocks and We Roll,
Ron
