Tonight we say "goodbye" to 2013. This
may come with sadness for some or it may be filled with huge relief for many to
finally close out this year. But no matter what, when the clock strikes
midnight it will be archived in the history books. I can definitely say that
this was a year like I had never seen before. It was filled with many
challenges and challenges on different levels. There were personal challenges,
challenges at work, challenges within our family, and such heartache as I saw
so many dear family and friends lose loved ones. But through it ALL, what was
constant was God's unshakeable faithfulness! Around every corner of hardship,
God showed himself so faithful that my love for him grew even more. Through all
my failures this year (and believe me there were many) God's mercies were new
every morning! Through all my disappointments, God's loving arms held me tight.
Through all my trials, God's mighty hand gently guided me through. And through
all my victories, God received the glory because it is all about HIM!
"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for
his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your
faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
My one word for this last year was...bold!
"So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I
should."
Ephesians 6:20 (NLT)
God led me to live my life for him boldly! I
tried to be bolder in reading the Word, speaking the Word, and praying the
Word. I wanted to be bold in my faithfulness. Bold in standing up for truth.
But in all honesty, I failed him many times. I missed many opportunities to
speak boldness for Christ. There were times I cowered away from situations and
had to fall on my knees in repentance. O, dear friends, that's when God showed
himself the most faithful! In my mess, he met me where I was! A constant in my
life. In my failures and defeat, he picked me up, brushed me off, and set me
back on the path to bold living for HIM!
You see, in my mess...HIS message still stood
strong! He took my mess and is still turning it into a beautiful message that
will display his glory and honor!
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set
eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from
beginning to end."
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
Am I glad that 2013 is coming to a close? Well,
if I'm honest...yes! But that doesn't mean when the clock strikes midnight and
everyone sings "Auld Lang Syne" that every challenge will disappear.
Challenges that were there at 11:59 pm will still be there at 12:00 am on 2014.
But what it does mean is that with a new year comes new hopes and dreams. A new
year brings rejuvenation to face obstacles head on with the Word of God. And
above all, a new year brings fresh new opportunities to serve my Master and
praise the name of Jesus! The lessons I learned in 2013 have grown me in my
relationship with Christ. My failures and my regrets of 2013 have been placed
in my Father's hands for him to mold me into what He wants me to be in this new
year. My success and victories are on display for his glory alone!
So, the question I'm pondering in my heart and
the one I'm asking you today is,
What will you do for
Christ in 2014?
Will you surrender
your all to him?
Will you serve him
and live boldly for the cause of Christ?
Will you look
expectantly for his second coming and prepare the way?
Will you place HIM
at the top of your priorities, knowing that it may cause you to say
"no" to other activities and commitments?
Will you honor
Christ by putting your spouse and your marriage before your children?
Will you model for
your children a life that honors Christ by being obedient to him?
Will you live for
Christ in such a way that others long for what you have?
Will you love The
Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your
neighbor as yourself?
Will you remember that
with failures comes the promise that His mercies are new every morning?
Will you, right now,
commit this year to the glory of God to BELIEVE his Word, BELIEVE he will do
what he says he will do, BELIEVE he loves you with an unconditional everlasting
love like no other, and BELIEVE that he is coming back for you?
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power
at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or
think."
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Yes, 2014 is right around the corner! Commit it to Christ today
and live for him only!
"Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will
help you."
Psalms 37:5 (NLT)
To download the 2014 Goal Sheet Click Here:
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