Happy "2006" New Year!

Another year has come and gone and now we’re embarking upon a brand new year, whether we’re ready or not. Some people spend time making a list of New Year’s resolutions. In years past, I would make a rather lengthy list of changes I wanted to make in my life, but before I knew it those things were pushed by the wayside and forgotten. It wasn’t long before I had gone back to the same old way of doing things because I had no strength within myself. That was before I turned my life over to God. Resolutions can be a fine thing if we have God to help us, but if we’re trying to do things on our own and within our own strength; it can “sometimes” be futile.

Have you ever wished that you could click your fingers and all the ugly habits and bad things that come from your mouth would suddenly be vanished forever? Perhaps some of your resolutions have been along those lines in years past like mine, but to no avail and without asking for God’s help.

There is a Promise from Revelation 21:5 (KJV) that echoes from the throne of God that says:

“Behold, I make all things new.”

This Promise reveals that God is One who loves to make new and restore His people. (1 Peter 5:10) In other words, we can start all over with His help and become clean, fresh and renewed if we will only ask! He never gives up on us and longs to be gracious. (Is. 30:18) Our God is very forgiving and patient, realizing that we’re only human and that we may mess up from time-to-time. With His help, we no longer have to wish for something that may or may not come to pass. You see, we can try so hard within ourselves to make a change and many times what needs to be done in us can be too difficult because bad habits have formed and only God can help us get through them. But with His help, we will become renewed and restored. When we go to God in prayer asking Him to clean up our imperfections, He is given free reign to go to work in ways that we cannot do on our own.

Sometimes what we long for becomes apparent, because we may react differently than we have in the past when certain situations arise that normally would upset us. It is at those times that it becomes apparent that God has surely answered our prayers and has been working away at our sinful nature.

With the upcoming year, I have an excitement that I haven’t had in a long time for what I feel God is going to do in my life. I believe He is going to do a new thing in me! (Is. 43:19) I’m anxious, knowing that He is going to do awesome things in and through me. I’m ready for God to make all things new in me. I’m reminded of a Scripture from Philippians 4:6 (NLT):

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.”

Also, we’re instructed in Philippians 2:12 to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. I believe when we work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, then He will help us by doing His very best for us. That is wonderful for us! My sister-in-law used to have yard sales and was persistent when bargain hunters came to her sales. She would say to them, “I’ll give you an offer you can’t refuse!” That’s the same way this is for us. We can’t walk away when God is doing His part and we’re doing ours . . . and to me it’s an offer we can’t refuse!

I started something four years ago that I have enjoyed and I would like to challenge you to think about doing the same. I believe it will be life changing for you, your family and those you care and pray for. I begin the year by writing a “prayer letter” to God. The first year I did that, I wrote a 36-page prayer letter. You’ll be surprised at how many things will rise up from your spirit to write about when you tell them all to your Heavenly Father through your letter.

My motivation for writing a prayer letter in the beginning was that I wanted God to do something new in my life and in the lives of those around me, so I poured out my heart to Him. I told Him things about my husband, our marriage, our children, grandchildren and son-in-law and many close family members. I told God how I longed for Him to use them mightily in ministry and be involved in their lives. I cried out to God about mine and my husband’s ministries, our personal commitment to Him, health, church, finances, vehicles, home and jobs. Whatever came to mind, I wrote it down and told my Father about it. I described in detail what I needed Him to help us with in the upcoming year. I have cried many a tear as I prayed and believed God in writing my prayer letters.

My prayer letters have taken the place of my long list of New Year’s resolutions because a lot of my needs and longings were covered in what I wrote. Now, I include my Heavenly Father in my hopes and dreams. This has been a better way for me because I trust the Father to take care of all that I write to Him. Remember He makes all things new!

Another thing to consider is that by writing your requests in your prayer letter, you will have a record of your prayers and as God answers them throughout the year, you can praise Him for being faithful as He always is. Praise God that He hears us when we pray.

Behold the former things are come to pass, and new things do
I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them. Is. 42:9 (KJV)

Prayer:
Father, I come before you on behalf of all my friends and family who participate in this ministry. I pray for each of them Lord, as we continue our journey and as we take Time Out for You on this New Year’s Day. I pray this year will be a time of making all things new in our lives and for a refreshing in our souls that we have not known in a long time as we seek Your face. I pray that many lives will be changed in the year ahead not only through this ministry, but wherever you may lead them. Change us Lord and make us renewed, fresh and alive in You. I believe this year will be a great year because You will be included in our hopes, dreams and plans. We cannot make these changes without Your help. We cannot make ourselves new without You. Thank You for all You do in our lives. Thank You for every dream that you place within our hearts and help us to realize when you place those dreams there. I ask these things in the Name of Jesus. Amen.