The New Year marks not just a beginning but a transformative opportunity to become the healthiest and happiest version of yourself.
#5 Happy New Year 2024!
I want to thank you for the lovely cards and well wishes I received from you over Christmas. It is much appreciated, and I look forward to fellowshipping with you this year; please contact me to make time for me to visit with you.
The Christmas season can be a wonderful time and is still here until Epiphany arrives in January. Somehow, I don’t think we consider the 12 days of Christmas from 25 Dec -5 Jan, which can be a time to regroup after a hectic Christmas holiday.
Jesus told us to give no thought to tomorrow – Matthew 6:34. Therefore, don’t worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. But he is NOT saying you don’t plan. He is talking about the unknown that tomorrow might bring, worrying about it, and missing the blessings of today. He is talking about living in the NOW, enjoying this moment because you will never experience this moment, this day ever again.
Jeremiah 29:1 says… For I know my plans for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. So, God is into plans, and our plans should match His so we can be happy.
I belong to a health club. Each year, they bring in new gym equipment, I guess, to keep the people interested. The place is packed out in January, but come February, things get back to normal, and my guess is that most people have given up on their New Year’s resolutions- to get thinner, fitter and healthier. There is nothing wrong with New Year’s resolutions because it’s all about a fresh start. I made some, and many of us try hard to keep them.
The good news is that with each new year comes an opportunity for a fresh start. But then, this is so each week. Every Sunday is the first day of the week, which affords us a new beginning, and we can put the past week well and truly behind us.
Learning from its lessons and starting again for a new week afresh. Indeed, we could go further and say Gods mercies are New Every morning, Lamentations 3:22-23. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. We see this pattern in the first three words in the Bible – in the beginning – there is a new start from the dawn of time, from chaos to light. There’s always a beginning in God’s world, whether it’s the first, second, third or more!
For many of us, the New Year is a blank page. You may have some appointments, holidays and plans in your new diary, but by and large, it’s not all filled in. So, what will you do with this gift of time given to all of us? We could squander it, or we could use it for Gods glory while drawing on His new mercies every morning. It starts with us giving our all to God.
Ask God to be your time clock for His will to be done for the day. Then you will find that it is all in his plan, come hell or high water. Maybe you are being tested and need to learn something that no other circumstance can teach.
God does use all circumstances and will turn suffering and bad times around for our good if we give it to Him and trust Him. Whatever happens this year, Christ is all in all and loves You very much. Give him a go and see yourself grow in faith, love, and hope for a bright tomorrow.
The fresh start may be a part of His loving plan as you put yourself in his loving hand today, tomorrow and all year long!
God bless you all, and Happy New Year!!!
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I have worked internationally with over 40 years of experience, having a Bachelor of Pastoral Counselling and Theology and a Master of Arts in Counselling & Professional Development. BACP Life Coaching Certificate. I currently work as a Christian educator, blogger, author, and grandmother living with my two dogs in Wales, UK.
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?Psalm 23 Unwrapped: Hope in Difficult Times.
