Isaiah 43:18 The Lord says, `Forget about what has happened before. Do not think about the past. Instead, look at the new things I’m going to do.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Today we start afresh because 2016 is over, and 2017 is here. Today we leave behind the hurts and disappointments of 2016, and we move forward to joy and fulfillment in 2017. We also leave behind our successes in 2016, because regardless of how big they may be, there are bigger victories that await us in 2017. Get over the negative and positive experiences of 2016. Today we stand on the threshold of a great tomorrow. This year 2017 can be your best year so far. God wants to help you. Move forward. Press on. There is so much more ahead. With the Lord’s help, advance into the “Promised Land” that God wants to give you. Prepare your mind and heart for action. Dedicate yourself to be what God wants you to be, and to do what God wants you to do. The conquests of the New Year 2017 in the different areas of your life are yours, but there is a certain price to pay. There are battles to fight and win. There are sacrifices you need to make in order to take hold of the grand plans of God for and through your life. But if you are willing, it will all be worth whatever you need to do and let go of. It’s great that we are spending two hours in this worship celebration on the first day of this New Year 2017 to seek the Lord, to honor him, and to hear from him. But the greater challenge is to maintain a heart and lifestyle of pursuing excellence in God and for God. You and I will be tempted to settle for the status quo in some areas of our lives. But the Lord is calling us to some bigger, better, and greater things. Do not get comfortable in small things. The minimum is not our goal. We want to go for the maximum. Aim high. Go for the gold, as we say. You can do it. The Lord will give you the power to make this year 2017 your best year so far. Fight for it consistently in prayer. Do all the practical and spiritual things you need to do. You will be thrilled by the rich rewards of following God and his ways this year 2017. The Christmas break is almost over. Begin to have a “back to work” mindset. Spend part of this day and/or tomorrow thinking, writing, and praying about what the Lord is directing you to do this 2017. Adopt a “change” mode. Be willing to change anything that is negative, counterproductive, outdated, unwise, or ungodly in your life. Be intense or serious about these things. A great life in 2017 will not come to the lazy, uncommitted, and unfocused. But it will be the experience of those who are willing to do what it takes. You may end 2017 feeling a bit tired, but you will be laughing and rejoicing as you count your many blessings and victories from God. Let 2017 be your best year so far. The Lord will help you. He will do his part. He will keep his promises. If you do your part, not just at the start of the year, but throughout the year and until the end of the year 2017, your teamwork with God will work wonders in your life, family, and ministry. Nothing will be impossible for you. The impossible will become possible. It will happen. Again, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Enjoy God’s blessings! Lathur Badoy