New Year

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away, behold, new things have come! " - 2 Corinthians 5:17

So what is so special about the New Year? Maybe it is this: once a Wednesday is gone, another pops up seven days later. We'll see a December every year, and as much as we'll miss the spring, we do take comfort in the fact that we'll see another one the next year, and the next, and the one after that. But it doesn't work that way with years. Once this calendar year expires, there will never be another one. Days, months, seasons, and holidays will all eventually return, but once this year is over, it's over.

Maybe that is why we tend to schedule our resolutions for change at the beginning of each New Year, hoping the old habits won't return much as that particular year won't return. This approach to changing ourselves is symbolic, of course. Real change requires so much more than a New Year's resolution. It's tough to break established habits, but remember that there is hope for the person who sincerely desires change. The power for real change means admitting that we are helpless to do it on our own. Lasting change requires the help of the Lord.

The Bible says if anyone is in Christ, he's a new creation. Christ transforms us when we give our lives to Him. He transforms us from the inside out. Now that's a change for the better. And it's a change that lasts.

I am not one who is hype into new years resolutions, however, I have needed desperatley to change a couple habits of mine. I have asked for friends and family support but I always fall short and constantly resort to my old ways. I finally had to just give it over to the Lord. I need him to be my strength and support. I need him to be my crutch when I fall down.

Philipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Next time you see me, check out the necklace I'm wearing. It's my prayer box I wear around my neck. I have written Philipians 4:13 on a microscopic piece of paper and have stuffed it into my prayer box. Since I put it in there and started wearing it, my results have been incredible! Praise God.


Take care, have a great week, and Godspeed.

Jill