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Program D-7219
Happy New Year! On this first day of 2015, it is my joy and pleasure to send all of you my prayers and hope that you will have a wonderful new year. It’s a holiday, so most of you don’t have to rush off to work today. And hopefully, you’re enjoying some relaxing time with friends and family.
The new year is a time to look back and remember, and a time to look forward and plan. As you look back over 2014, what do you see? Can you see growth in your walk with God? Second Corinthians 3:18 tells us that we who reflect the Lord’s glory are being transformed in to his likeness with ever-increasing glory. In other words, we should be able to track transformation progress in our lives.
Can you for 2014? In what area of your life have you been more obedient? Over what sin or addiction did you find victory in 2014? Were your words more kind and compassionate this year? Did you make progress in controlling your anger? Where can you track that growth in your life?
As we look back over this year, we should be able to say, “Thank you, Lord, for helping me to improve in certain areas so that I’m more like you than last year.”
I can see some areas of improvement in my life, and I want to be thankful for that today. But I don’t want to settle for that, because there is so much more transformation that needs to be accomplished in me. So, as you look forward, what are you going to ask God to do in your life in 2015?
I recommend that you find some quiet time this week to write down a plan for 2015—a plan for transformation. Put on your plan the areas in your life where you want God to really change you in this new year. Then, pray about those needed changes throughout 2015. Keep that list in your Bible or journal, and refer to it often. Keep a record of your growth areas for 2015. It will remind you and encourage you and help you to reach the spiritual goals that are so important.
And then, as we look backward and forward, our hearts should overflow with gratitude for God’s faithfulness to us. If you have an opportunity today, recite out loud what God has done for you in 2014. In fact, make sure you take that opportunity. Forget not all his benefits to you in this past year.