Hey guys! There are only three days left in 2013 so what better time to prepare ourselves for 2014 by taking a look at God’s word.
During this time of year many look forward to what the New Year might bring. God’s word says that God has a plan for us. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Our hope should not be placed on what our own strengths and efforts can get us this year, it should be placed on God’s plan. He knows what is best for our lives and what path will bring us to his never ending blessings. Our faith must be set on him, walking hand in hand with him so that He can guide us to where we have to be. The plans He has for us might take us down a road that might be bumpy and winding, but we can feel safe by knowing that they will take us to where He knows we belong. He already showed us His love, by dying for our salvation, don’t you think He will give us everything we need this 2014? If our faith is set on Him we won’t need to rely on promises we write down, and possibly forget, we can rely on His wisdom, love and power for a year full of blessings.
For some of us 2013 might have brought some situations that made us upset, sad, or maybe even mad. But remember what is written in God’s word, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). We are new creations when we accept Jesus Christ in our hearts. What happened is in the past, it no longer has power over us. Just like the Lord has forgotten and forgiven our past transgressions, let us step into the New Year following His example. Forget what you did this year and have faith that He will provide better opportunities, better lives, and better plans. Remember that the doors He opens are far wider and bigger than the ones we could’ve opened on our own. Have faith that it is He who will guide us this 2014, no matter what we did in 2013. Like His word says above, place your eyes, not on this past year, but on the goal of walking in faith for the calling He made for each one of us. Our lives have a purpose; let us place our eyes on how He can help us accomplish this purpose, not looking back.
All of us probably went through some difficult times this year, times that taught us new things that made us grow in faith. “For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:10-11). Yes we all make mistakes, but the Lord uses them to teach us. He is our father and He teaches us lessons. It might’ve been painful, tough but know that we grew from those tough times. As we go forward in our career of faith we will be grateful of the lessons we learned. We will be wiser in His Word. These lessons, like His Word, are not empty we will yield fruit because of them, like His Word says. Remember that when we see ourselves in difficult times, it is not done by Him with malice, but with love, for He wants us to grow in a healthy way so that we can be wiser.
In the New Year we might face things and we will need the Lord’s help. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;” (Isaiah 40:31) Be patient have faith that He DOES listen and will respond. You might have to wait but don’t worry. He loves you and will never leave you in a situation you can’t handle. He knows you better than anybody and knows what you are capable of. Be still, have faith. Always remember that His timing is perfect, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (Ecclesiases3:11). He knows when and how to answer. Do not question but wait patiently.
Finally, remember that the New Year is not the only time God can renew your strength and bless you. You are blessed. His love is not only given to us on certain days. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24)
God Bless.
-Jovenes De MPG
During this time of year many look forward to what the New Year might bring. God’s word says that God has a plan for us. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Our hope should not be placed on what our own strengths and efforts can get us this year, it should be placed on God’s plan. He knows what is best for our lives and what path will bring us to his never ending blessings. Our faith must be set on him, walking hand in hand with him so that He can guide us to where we have to be. The plans He has for us might take us down a road that might be bumpy and winding, but we can feel safe by knowing that they will take us to where He knows we belong. He already showed us His love, by dying for our salvation, don’t you think He will give us everything we need this 2014? If our faith is set on Him we won’t need to rely on promises we write down, and possibly forget, we can rely on His wisdom, love and power for a year full of blessings.
For some of us 2013 might have brought some situations that made us upset, sad, or maybe even mad. But remember what is written in God’s word, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). We are new creations when we accept Jesus Christ in our hearts. What happened is in the past, it no longer has power over us. Just like the Lord has forgotten and forgiven our past transgressions, let us step into the New Year following His example. Forget what you did this year and have faith that He will provide better opportunities, better lives, and better plans. Remember that the doors He opens are far wider and bigger than the ones we could’ve opened on our own. Have faith that it is He who will guide us this 2014, no matter what we did in 2013. Like His word says above, place your eyes, not on this past year, but on the goal of walking in faith for the calling He made for each one of us. Our lives have a purpose; let us place our eyes on how He can help us accomplish this purpose, not looking back.
All of us probably went through some difficult times this year, times that taught us new things that made us grow in faith. “For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:10-11). Yes we all make mistakes, but the Lord uses them to teach us. He is our father and He teaches us lessons. It might’ve been painful, tough but know that we grew from those tough times. As we go forward in our career of faith we will be grateful of the lessons we learned. We will be wiser in His Word. These lessons, like His Word, are not empty we will yield fruit because of them, like His Word says. Remember that when we see ourselves in difficult times, it is not done by Him with malice, but with love, for He wants us to grow in a healthy way so that we can be wiser.
In the New Year we might face things and we will need the Lord’s help. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;” (Isaiah 40:31) Be patient have faith that He DOES listen and will respond. You might have to wait but don’t worry. He loves you and will never leave you in a situation you can’t handle. He knows you better than anybody and knows what you are capable of. Be still, have faith. Always remember that His timing is perfect, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (Ecclesiases3:11). He knows when and how to answer. Do not question but wait patiently.
Finally, remember that the New Year is not the only time God can renew your strength and bless you. You are blessed. His love is not only given to us on certain days. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24)
God Bless.
-Jovenes De MPG