So today is the first day of the New Year. A day when people decide to make a new start. Start exercising, start dieting, start whatever. I have never understood this mentality. Why wait to start something. I'll start on January 1st. I'll start on Monday. I'll start on the first day of the month. Why not start now.
When Jesus called His disciples, they didn't tell Him, lets wait till Monday, first of the year or month. They dropped what they were doing and followed Him immediately! Lets not hesitate when Jesus calls us. He wants an immediate response, not a pause or hesitation.
Luke 9:59 Living Bible
59 Another time, when he invited a man to come with him and to be his disciple, the man agreed—but wanted to wait until his father’s death.
Luke 9:61 Living Bible
61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will come, but first let me ask permission of those at home.”
So some things to do as we enter the New Year.
Stop looking back with regret. You cannot change what happened, but you can use what happened to change how you respond the next time something comes up.
Stop thinking that you cannot overcome something. An addiction or bad habit. God is the chain breaker. Jesus came to set us free.
Stop thinking that God doesn't care about you. Stop blaming yourself or others. Stop saying yes to everything. You are allowed to say no. Stop saying no. Stop doing to much or to little.
Then stop what doing what you know you shouldn't be doing. You know right from wrong.
Start each day in prayer and Bible reading. Converse with God to start your day. Get into His word. What a way to start your day! Then as you proceed during the day, start showing more grace and forgiveness.
Start new habits. Start obeying Gods word. What The Bible says, put it into practice. If you have hurtful relationships, start trying to repair them.
Then most important, start to trust God! Everyday, every hour, minute and second! He never changes. The same yesterday, today and forever. He is the one constant.
Hebrews 13:8 New Living Translation
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
So no matter what changes happen to you or around you, God is and will always be there! You can count on that!
Happy New Year & God bless.
Rev. Kev.
