A NEW YEAR - A NEW OPPORTUNITY
by Pastor Mark Taylor
“Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5)
We are going into a New Year. The Lord is a creator of new and wonderful things. We should recommit ourselves to allowing our Lord to lead us in becoming new and better this year. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." (Revelation 21:5).
As we enter this new year of 2014 we should expect God to lead us into new areas of growth and ministry. He wants us to know that “you have not passed this way before now” (Joshua 3:4), and it may be somewhat different and even frightening. But He also wants us to know and have the confidence that He is with us. “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ... (Philippians 1:5-6)
I would encourage our Church as well as all Churches to pray that God would do more with them this year than He did last year. The Lord has given us a ministry to reach out to other people. He has given us the great commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20).
Grace is about new beginnings and the mercy of God starting over in our lives. “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Psalms 145:8). “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon you”
(Psalms 86:5).
As we look into 2014 we look at a block of time. We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds. And all is a gift from God. We have done nothing to deserve it, earn it, or purchased it. Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life. Like receiving a brand new calendar, the slate is clean and ready for us to post our appointments, meetings, dates, anniversaries and celebrations. So let us pencil this in, more time for loving our families, more time to take care of ourselves, more time to do what we really want to do, more time to follow our dreams and more time with the Author of time and the Author of all things, our Lord Jesus Christ. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1:16-17)
2014 is a new year with new opportunities. You and I can start over. Remember that our past sins can be forgiven by God: "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Hebrews 8:12).
As we begin to think about this New Year, I would like for us to start our lives like the new calendar. We are encouraged by the Bible to leave last year behind us. “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13).
I realize we cannot completely forget, but we can purposely dwell on positive things that will help us this year. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
Another thing we are encouraged to do to start our lives off with a clear slate is forgiveness. We should ask forgiveness from our Heavenly Father for the sins we have committed this past year and make an effort to live better lives. Grace is not only a matter of our receiving a “new beginning”, but it is our allowing others to do the same. Forgiveness is difficult and the actions which have been done to us does not easily fade away. Despite a hundred sermons on forgiveness, we do not forgive easily nor do we accept forgiveness easily. Forgiveness is an unnatural act. It requires divine assistance. But regardless of how difficult it is, our forgiveness from the Lord is tied to our forgiveness of others. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). Forgiveness is not about others deserving it, but it is about you. When you forgive, you are doing something wonderful for yourself, and allow God to bless you with good things.
In starting your “new beginning” in 2014, set reasonable, realistic, and measurable goals. It is God’s will that you be successful and happy. “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1) .
God wants to bless you, but his blessings are directly related to your love and obedience to Him. He has a lot of grace to give to you this year. He wants your life to can be Great in 2014. It begins today. “This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalms 118:24).
Today is the day to begin. “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).
