It is the new year: 2021. You are dutifully making some new year’s resolutions. How to make 2021 a better year for self: exercise more, eat right, make goal oriented decisions for a better you.
I am just kidding when I say I have 12 steps for a brand new you. I do not hold the key to a better life. I do not have the answers to the questions you want answered. But, there is always a but, right? I can point you to the One who does hold the key. To the One who does have the answers to your questions. God. Let us look into our bible and see what God has to say.
- John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “ The Messiah’s birth you just celebrated 7 days ago, open your heart to receive Him. He was born for you. He died for you. He rose again that you may have life in His name.
- 1 Peter 2a: “desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow “ Once you have received the gospel of Jesus Christ, now grow in Him.
- Proverbs 2: 1-2; 5-6: “My son, if you receive my words And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;” As you seek to know God more, pray for wisdom and understanding.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. “ Learning more of God will deepen your faith as you seek Him.
- John 20:30-31 “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” Believe the inspired, inerrant Word of God. It is the truth we stand on.
- Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” Because of your new heart, you now have new desires. You reflect on God’s grace and mercy and desire to love Him more each day.
- Matthew 22:39 “‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” In turn, as you love God more, you will desire to express that love to others.
- James 2:14-17 “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Loving others, in turn, leads to having compassion for those in need. Your faith becomes active.
- 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; and Matthew 28:19-20 “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.” You want others to know these truths and you will proclaim them to anyone who will listen.
- Psalm 143:8 “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I entrust my life.” The God in whom you have placed your faith, is the same God you can trust with your life. In all ways, for all of your days.
- Ephesians 6:10-17 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” As you learn and grow in your faith, you will face challenges, trials. You will encounter nay-sayers.
- John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Because you believe the Bible, it is the word of God, the words of life. We stand on the promises of God. Knowing we are His children, we live by faith. We seek to know Him more. We strive to be more Christ-like each day for our foundation is Him. Read your bible. Uncover the promises of God. Meditate on His goodness and love. Be strong in our faith and live this new year with a new desire to know God more.
Here is to new beginnings. Happy New Year 2021