http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil%203:13-14&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer%2029:11&version=NIV1984
http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=Nothing+is+impossible+&qs_version=NIV1984
Since the Puritans first set foot on American soil way back in 1620, America has been seen as the Land of Opportunity. An opportunity to enjoy the kind of religious freedom not known in Europe. An opportunity to enjoy personal freedoms unknown in much of the world. An opportunity to be free from tyranny. On a personal level, America represented the opportunity to start fresh. To acquire land. And wealth. To make choices. To enjoy life, liberty and happiness. And I would have to say that those opportunities have been taken advantage of. To a very large degree. Even after almost 400 years, America is still a land of opportunity to those who want to enjoy freedom. For those who want to work hard. And pursue their dreams. And make their unique contribution.
If there is one word that I would say that 2012 embodies (actually any New Year) it is the word ‘opportunity’. While we can’t totally divorce ourselves from the past (it’s not like bad decisions magically disappear at the turning of the calendar) each of us has the opportunity to improve on, or in some cases, significantly change the past. This is especially true for us as Christians. With the infinite, almighty God at work in our lives, anything is possible. Anything. So what are some opportunities that lie before us?
First of all, there are opportunities to be faithful. In all of the reading that I do in regard to New Year’s resolutions and such, this is seldom mentioned. But it is very important. In 2012 we have the opportunity to be faithful in our commitments. If you don’t have a good track record of this in the past, now is the time to change that. But most of us are probably already doing well in this area. So why do I say this is an opportunity? Because you can’t take faithfulness for granted! Each year some Christian has an affair. Or gets divorced. Or starts taking drugs. Or simply walks away from their family. Or their commitments. Or from God. So the way I see it, Opportunity #1 is to stay the course. To continue to be faithful. To God. To His Church. To our spouse. Our children and grandchildren. Family. Friends. Co-workers. Classmates. Again, this doesn’t get much press but it is extremely important and should not be taken for granted.
Secondly, we have opportunities for change. Let’s face it. All of us have things in our lives that we’d like to see changed. Too much time spent working. Not enough money to live on. Arriving somewhere on time for a change. A few less pounds. A little more exercise. As such, a new year represents a splendid opportunity to make some much-needed changes in our lives. What are some changes that God would have us make? What is our Achilles heal? What are those 1 or 2 areas that seem to be holding us back? Not enough time with God? Not enough time with family? Too much debt? Swearing? Gossiping? A tendency to get angry? Whatever it is, making a decision (with God help and strength) to address it will go a long way toward helping us move forward.
Thirdly, we have opportunities to build our faith. As we know, the Christian life is all about faith. The Bible tells us that we are saved by faith and are to live by faith. Faith is so precious to God that in I Peter 1:7 we are told that it is worth more than gold! So 2012 represents a wonderful opportunity to build our faith. To see it grow and expand. There are numerous ways that we can accomplish this. Your local church is the place to start. Get involved in a new ministry. Join the Discipleship or the Evangelism Team. Volunteer for nursery duty. Or to teach Sunday School. Or help with the youth group. Join or start a Bible Study. Or a small group. Go on a short-term missions trips. The ways that we can step out in faith this year are literally endless. All we need to do is to decide to take the first step. God takes it from there.
So I hope on this first day of 2012 that you will give some prayerful consideration as to what opportunities lie before you. Where is God leading you? What is He prompting you to do? How can you make an impact in the world for Him this year? Granted, being faithful doesn’t get too many people excited. And change can be scary. And so can stepping out in faith. But these are all necessary activities that we need to engage in this year if we are ever going to reach our God-given potential.
So go ahead. Pray. Think. Make a list. Then go forward in God’s power and grace and see what happens. I promise that a year from now, you’ll be amazed at how much God did in you. And through you!
Lord, on this first day of 2012 I am genuinely excited about the opportunities that You have placed before me. Opportunities to continue to be faithful. To You. My wife. My children and grandchildren. Others in my life. Opportunities to change. To get rid of bad habits and unnecessary baggage. Opportunities to step out in faith. To see Your power at work in my life. I commit myself to You right now. And ask that You lead and guide me every step of the way in this next year. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If there is one word that I would say that 2012 embodies (actually any New Year) it is the word ‘opportunity’. While we can’t totally divorce ourselves from the past (it’s not like bad decisions magically disappear at the turning of the calendar) each of us has the opportunity to improve on, or in some cases, significantly change the past. This is especially true for us as Christians. With the infinite, almighty God at work in our lives, anything is possible. Anything. So what are some opportunities that lie before us?
First of all, there are opportunities to be faithful. In all of the reading that I do in regard to New Year’s resolutions and such, this is seldom mentioned. But it is very important. In 2012 we have the opportunity to be faithful in our commitments. If you don’t have a good track record of this in the past, now is the time to change that. But most of us are probably already doing well in this area. So why do I say this is an opportunity? Because you can’t take faithfulness for granted! Each year some Christian has an affair. Or gets divorced. Or starts taking drugs. Or simply walks away from their family. Or their commitments. Or from God. So the way I see it, Opportunity #1 is to stay the course. To continue to be faithful. To God. To His Church. To our spouse. Our children and grandchildren. Family. Friends. Co-workers. Classmates. Again, this doesn’t get much press but it is extremely important and should not be taken for granted.
Secondly, we have opportunities for change. Let’s face it. All of us have things in our lives that we’d like to see changed. Too much time spent working. Not enough money to live on. Arriving somewhere on time for a change. A few less pounds. A little more exercise. As such, a new year represents a splendid opportunity to make some much-needed changes in our lives. What are some changes that God would have us make? What is our Achilles heal? What are those 1 or 2 areas that seem to be holding us back? Not enough time with God? Not enough time with family? Too much debt? Swearing? Gossiping? A tendency to get angry? Whatever it is, making a decision (with God help and strength) to address it will go a long way toward helping us move forward.
Thirdly, we have opportunities to build our faith. As we know, the Christian life is all about faith. The Bible tells us that we are saved by faith and are to live by faith. Faith is so precious to God that in I Peter 1:7 we are told that it is worth more than gold! So 2012 represents a wonderful opportunity to build our faith. To see it grow and expand. There are numerous ways that we can accomplish this. Your local church is the place to start. Get involved in a new ministry. Join the Discipleship or the Evangelism Team. Volunteer for nursery duty. Or to teach Sunday School. Or help with the youth group. Join or start a Bible Study. Or a small group. Go on a short-term missions trips. The ways that we can step out in faith this year are literally endless. All we need to do is to decide to take the first step. God takes it from there.
So I hope on this first day of 2012 that you will give some prayerful consideration as to what opportunities lie before you. Where is God leading you? What is He prompting you to do? How can you make an impact in the world for Him this year? Granted, being faithful doesn’t get too many people excited. And change can be scary. And so can stepping out in faith. But these are all necessary activities that we need to engage in this year if we are ever going to reach our God-given potential.
So go ahead. Pray. Think. Make a list. Then go forward in God’s power and grace and see what happens. I promise that a year from now, you’ll be amazed at how much God did in you. And through you!
Lord, on this first day of 2012 I am genuinely excited about the opportunities that You have placed before me. Opportunities to continue to be faithful. To You. My wife. My children and grandchildren. Others in my life. Opportunities to change. To get rid of bad habits and unnecessary baggage. Opportunities to step out in faith. To see Your power at work in my life. I commit myself to You right now. And ask that You lead and guide me every step of the way in this next year. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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