Thought for the Month - January 2005

New Year's Revolution - By Pastor Ian Wilson

A New Year will undoubtedly bring new challenges, new experiences perhaps even new excitement. We really do not know what lies ahead. Perhaps you enter this New Year with some fear. As a Child of God whilst I do not know what lies ahead I do know that my future is in God’s hands. Read the words of this well known Hymn.

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine,
for it's skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

I wonder as you enter this New Year do you have the confidence that you read about in this Hymn?
Could I suggest that there are some new things that you need to have this New Year?
Firstly you need to become a new creation Paul puts it like this.

2 Cor. 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new"

We are all born in sin but we can be born again and become a new creation. All our sins can be forgiven because of Christ’s work on the cross.
When you trust the Lord as your Saviour, you will discover that God will give you a new song as the psalmist said.

Psalm 40:3 "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord"

You can praise the Lord even in difficult times because you have placed your future in his hands. Paul and Silas were in prison at Philippi and yet we find them singing at midnight.

Acts 16:25 "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them"

Paul and Silas knew they were in God’s hands. You too can have this peace for 2005.
On New Year’s Eve many will have made New Year resolutions most of which will be broken within two weeks. What about a New Years revolution?

You can turn away from sin and despair and find true peace, joy and contentment in Jesus Christ.
You will have a new faith, a new position, a new assurance, a new service, a new joy and new testimony. In short a new you.

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!