New Year, Same God!

Scripture:  Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV - Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 13:8 NKJV - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

It’s a New Year – a year full of endless possibilities! What are your goals … not resolutions – goals? Do any of your goals (long-term or short-term) involve God, Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit? Are you seeking Him in all you aspire to do?

We tend to say what we wanna do, what we wanna accomplish and how we wanna do it, never including God in any of it. We don’t count the full cost of following Christ in all we say and do. I don’t know about you, but some days I find myself saying, “LORD, have mercy on me … if You have any left!” I fall short on a daily basis, multiple times a day – can I get a witness? But we have to keep coming to Him – we must never stop doing that! He has and IS everything we need to fulfill His duties for us and our lives. He’s not going anywhere! And remember, He is immutable – He never changes … He is the SAME GOD! (Hebrews 13:8)

So let’s commit to this New Year with better, more realistic goals that will draw us closer to God while making impact for His kingdom! First things first: empty ourselves of ourselves, define a goal (create the discipline and responsibility that’s required to work at and accomplish the goal), believe in ourselves (hone in on the gifts and talents that God gave each one of us; spend time admiring them, growing in them and using them to effect/infect others’ lives for His glory) and surround ourselves with those who will listen, support and push us towards our goal(s).

God always wants the best for us. If we believe that, then we will look forward to this New Year with great anticipation of what HE will do! Not just for us, but through us! 2021 is behind us – yes, it’s been a different and at some moments difficult year for all of us. But consider this – no matter what we went through, no matter how many times we felt alone … God never left us! And He never will! Let go of what was and reach toward what can be! With God’s guidance and our obedience to Him and His Word, we can press on!

Prayer: “Oh! Lord! Please tell me what I have to do to have a deeper relationship with You! All of my life, there has never been a closer Friend than You; I am so desperate just to be closer to You! I want to enter into Your courts with praise, worship You for the rest of my days! I want to go beyond the veil and experience how it feels to be with You! Life a life that’s pleasing to You! Oh Lord, receive my worship! Oh Lord, receive my praise! I give You all of me, I want more of You!” In Jesus’ Name I always pray … AMEN!

(lyrics: More of You; artist: Anita Wilson)

(by Cassaundra Turner)