Happy New Year!

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118:24)

The New Year is officially here! What plans have you made to embrace the days and months ahead?

 Could it be that some of the things you did not accomplish in 2011 was because you did not go to God for guidance and clear directions?

 In all that you do, seek God first! Before making any decisions, big or small,  go to God.

 As you celebrate this first day of January, take some time and tell God thank you! After all, He did bring you through another year.  No matter what your circumstances may have looked like at times, He brought you through. No matter how your finances may have been, He brought you through.  No matter what the doctors might have told you, God brought you through. And, no matter how friends and family may have treated you, it was God who brought you through the year.

This year, will you spend more time with God and acknowledge His presence in your life?

Will you take better care of yourself in 2012? Do you need to start an exercise plan and/or change your eating habits?

Do you need to walk away from some relationships? Take time to think about how your relationships affect you and how they affect the work God has for you.  If there is constant negativity, gossip and continuous pity parties in any of your relationships, is it time to walk away?  You should spend your precious time with those who lift you up and encourage you.  You should not waste your time with those who leave you feeling defeated and depressed.

Do you go to church? Is it time for you to establish a fellowship with other believers in your community?  Seek God first and He will lead you to the place of worship where He wants you to be.

If you are attending church, what are you doing to serve God? Is there a ministry in your church that you want to participate in?  Sometimes we sit back and wait for others to ask us to join the choir or the usher board.  I challenge you this year, to be bold in the name of Jesus and join the choir, join the usher board or join the ministry that you know you will be a blessing to God and a blessing to others.

2012 is here.  There is no going back to 2011. We can’t undo what was done last year but we can make a change this year. We can strive to do better and to be better.

Will you work on strengthening your relationship with God? Take more time to read His word and apply it to your life.  Talk to Him more this year than you did last year.  Listen to Him and be obedient to what He wants you do to. Increase your level of worship to give Him more honor and more praise.  And, if you should stumble along the way, ask Him for forgiveness and keep striving to get it right.

I am so excited about 2012! I pray that you are, too and that you are ready for an amazing year.  Blessings to each of you this January 1, 2012.

Happy New Year and happy days ahead!

 Remember, this is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.