January, 2001 "Happy New You"

I wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year and pray that your Christmas was blessed and full of the L.O.V.E. of Jesus. As I do every year at this time, I have been thinking, reflecting, on the last year of my life and contemplating the NEW coming year. It seems like only yesterday that the world had "Y2K fever." All the money spent, the fears generated, the excitement of anticipation of a NEW millenium…. It didn't seem to matter that this year, 2001, is really the beginning of a NEW millenium…Won't you join me for a minute as we look ahead to NEW possibilities for the NEW year.

I love the word NEW. It is so hopeful - so fresh - so energizing - so encouraging. As we look forward to this NEW year of our lives, let us consider the spiritual implications of the word "NEW." Will you be looking forward to a NEW year? A NEW life? A NEW destiny? Or perhaps even a NEW eternity?

The choice is yours. We know that God has chosen for us plans that are for good, for eternal purposes. He says that He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you. He has plans for your life and He wants to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) He says that He can make all things work together for good in your lives. (Romans 8:28) IF you love Him and IF you are called according to His purpose.

How do we know IF we love God? Jesus said that IF we loved Him we would obey Him. (John 14:23)

What is the purpose of God that we are called to in Romans 28? We are to be conformed into the likeness of Jesus. We are justified, sanctified and glorified as we choose God and His ways.

Do you want your NEW year to be the first day of a NEW eternity for you? This can be the day of eternal life. IF you call upon the name of the Lord, you will be saved. "IF you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.'" (Romans 10: 9-11 & 13)

IF you have done this then you now have a NEW life, a NEW destiny and can expect a NEW eternity that you will live in His presence forever. The Scripture says "Therefore, IF anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17) Glory to God!!!

Now for the walking out of this NEW year we are all about to enter, I would like to make some suggestions that will enhance your relationship with God as well as have eternal impact in the Kingdom and in the lives of your loved ones.

Each year as I meditate on the goodness of God throughout the past year, I ask the Lord to give me a theme or a scripture for my life for the coming year. He is very good to speak to me clearly each year. Actually the theme begins to unfold throughout the fall months into the year end. And by January, I have a good idea of what He is wanting to have me focus and concentrate on. I write down the word or theme and do some study on it and find scriptures to research throughout the year.

I ask the Holy Spirit to help me turn this into a prayer for myself for the year. It usually is only a medium sized paragraph. I write this down and keep it in my Bible. I pray it often for myself throughout the coming year. I know this may seem like a lot of hard work, but please consider putting in the time. It will be worth it. I have been so blessed as I have watched the Lord work in the areas I have prayed about. I know you will be, too.

Then I take this one step further. I ask the Holy Spirit to give me a prayer for my husband and each of my children for the coming year. I also write these down and keep them together to be prayed over throughout the year. I try and include scriptures and areas of their lives where I know the Lord is working. I have prayed in advance for the spouses and children and children's children of my children. You see our prayers really can reach on down through the generations - even of the yet to be born!

I am so committed to the truth that God works through our prayers, that I really want to impress this upon each one of you. Not only can you bring NEW life into your own heart but you can be an instrument of God to bring that NEW life to your loved ones.

Ephesians 4:22-24 says that you are to put off your former ways of living and to put off your old self which is corrupted by deceitful desires; and you are to be made NEW in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the NEW self, which is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Won't you ask your Heavenly Father, to make you into a NEW child of His - right now - so that you can have a NEW self and walk in righteousness and holiness?

"Lord, I pray for each one reading this. I ask You to bless them this coming NEW year with a NEW and deeper knowledge of Who You are and of how much You love them. Lord, give them a NEW heart with which to love and serve You for all eternity. Amen."

Have a happy NEW year, and have fun as you become a wonderful NEW you,

L.O.V.E.,
Patty

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