Happy New Year

There is so much joy and wonder and excitement waiting for you.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven."

Philippians 3:13-14 NLT

"The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!'"

Lamentations 3:22-24 NASB

With the dawn of a new year, there is an influx of feelings, thoughts, expressions, and commentaries that are shared throughout our families, churches, workplaces, and relationships with people, both in face-to-face and online. I shall be no different in that trend, but I would like to share a simple truth that I’m not sure gets nearly the attention that one would hope.

Throughout the Bible, God talks to us about being made new, becoming clean, and getting a fresh start. Even from the beginning, He planned to redeem us through Jesus Christ. He knew we would get worn, tattered, mangled, and filthy. He knew that we would turn from Him and toward the stress and frustrations of the world. He knew we would sin against Him.

However, He is willing to forgive. He is willing to make new. And, He is willing to make new at any given time. God is not bound by human concepts of time. God is not bound by when the calendar flips to the next year.

If you have never known Jesus Christ as your Savior, Redeemer, and Lord, please don’t rely on some human idea of time to set as your “get-right-with-God” day. That line of thought is the same as having the cure for cancer in your fridge, but opting not to use it until you’ve had more time to enjoy the disease. Sin and separation from a relationship with God is a deadly disease. Sadly, it’s like cancer in that many people will just ignore the symptoms of the disease. They wait to “get that checked” until they end up at a point of no return. Stop waiting.

Whether the new year coming inspires you, or simply finding a real purpose for yourself regardless of the calendar, there is so much joy and wonder and excitement waiting for you. You have a wonderful inheritance and a ticket to eternal life in Heaven that’s been paid in full; all you need do is receive it.

If you are a follower of Christ that has allowed a separation between you and He, do not put off being made new and starting a new chapter in your relationship until a marker on the human calendar. Do not think, “Well, I blew it this year. Next year I’m going to work on my relationship with the Lord!” There is no reason to wait! God is available 24/7/365 or 366, works weekends, nights, and holidays, and hasn’t taken a day off since the world was formed. He is here for you. Don’t allow the enemy to steal one more nanosecond from you and your life with God The Father, Almighty.

I hope that the inspiration of the new year will move every one of you to take that step toward the Lord. Whether you are recommitting or you are committing for the first time, use this time to move yourself to a right relationship with God. Then, move forward knowing that human-invented milestones and calendars are not important to God…He is here forever and always. Just seek Him and you will find Him, no matter what day of the week or date on the calendar.

Have a happy, safe, and blessed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day! May 2016 start with a heaping helping of joy and blessings for you and your loved ones.

Thank you for your time!

#NewYear #God #Jesus #Salvation #FatherGod #2016