A Clean Slate

Here I am sitting here writing this blog post on the very last day of the year 2018.  Many of us take this time to reflect back on the year and think of all of the things that have happened.  Some of us look at the year ahead of us and we wonder what the immediate future holds for us.

Many people start out the New Year with resolutions that they will only keep for a matter of days or weeks.  The New Year can be a clean slate of sorts, but often things stay the same for at least a little while.  This New Year for the believer can be a year of new possibilities and challenges.

May we recommit ourselves to the Lord's work and draw nearer to Him.  May we develop a hunger for God's Word like never before and serve others like never before showing the love that Jesus Christ has shown us.

The New Year will have it's ups and downs.  There will be wonderful mountaintop experiences and there will be heart wrenching sorrow.  Whatever the New Year holds for us we can rest assured that the Lord is already there and we can count on Him to help us through it.

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 
                                                                           

2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

The Lord will lead us through this new year just like He has led us in the past.  He will protect us and guide us.  He will lead us like a shepherd leads a flock of sheep.  Jesus is our good shepherd and we know He loves us for He laid down His life for us.

The Lord will provide for us throughout the year ahead.  Our God is an Awesome God and we can trust Him each and everyday.  May we set our gaze upon the Lord Jesus and allow Him to lead us throughout the year ahead.

We have a wonderful living hope in the Lord and we have a true promise of a Heavenly home when we leave this world.  We must have our sins forgiven through our faith in what Christ did for us on the Cross.

I wish you a very Happy New Year.  May we humble ourselves everyday and take up our cross and follow Jesus everyday.  

Lord,

We praise Your Holy Name.

Forgive us our sins of commission and our sins of omission.

Thank You Jesus for dying for our sins past, present, and future.

Come Soon Lord Jesus.

Help us to draw nearer to You in the year ahead.

In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.