As we begin the New Year, most people are looking for a change, an improvement in health, relationships, in circumstances, etc. Commitments are made, but seldom kept. We call these first of the year commitments New Year’s Resolutions. Sad to say, “Most people will passively do exactly what they did last year.”

When you read the Gospels, you find that Jesus was always trying to convince people of their need of salvation. This is certainly the most important change anyone can make if they are not a Christian. In John chapter three, Jesus told Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again.” The Bible explains that in order to be born again, you must receive Jesus as your Savior. This is called the new birth, becoming a new creation in Christ. Marvin Lewis tells the story about such a life. “His first name was Bill. At an early age he began to drink and live in the depths of sin. Sometimes he was referred to as “Old Bill.” One night in a drunken brawl, a man hit him so hard that he was often referred to as “One-eyed Bill.”  But something happened to that sinful man. Bill was told about a Savior who could save him and give him a new life. In simple faith, he accepted the Savior, and his life was completely changed. For many years after that, Bill worked around the rescue mission in Evansville, Indiana. Because of the remarkable change in this man’s life, many of his old friends began to speak of him as “New Bill.” In fact, he actually went by that name for the rest of his life. While in my junior year of college, I heard “New Bill” give his testimony. I do not even remember his last name, but I remember him as “New Bill.”

“In the natural world it is impossible to be made all over again, but in the spiritual world it is exactly what Jesus Christ makes possible.” Oswald Chambers. If you are already a Christian, share this wonderful and powerful message of new life with those around you. It will be the beginning of a new life that many so desperately need.

In John 10:10, Jesus said, “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The Christian has eternal life when he is born again. He has abundant life when he follows the Lord. Here is some advice passed down to us from various authors.

“Let’s make one resolution this year: to anchor ourselves to God’s grace.”
Chuck Swindoll

“New Year’s Day is a good time to fix one’s eyes on the only One who knows what the year is to hold.”
Elisabeth Elliot

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.”
Oswald Chambers

“This one simple act of beginning each day with God sets each day on the path of wisdom.”
Elizabeth Elliott

“We’re most happy when we’re enjoying God and fulfilling His purpose for our life.”
Nancy Wolgemuth

“Enter the coming year with renewed hope in the power of God to do through you what you cannot.”
John MacArthur

“It’s time to begin righting the story of your life.” (How will you be remembered?)
David Jeremiah

HAPPY NEW YEAR