As we begin a new year I am reminded of the unfailing love of The Lord. He makes us new every morning and each day gives us purpose and hope. The Lord is faithful to forgive us and give us new mercies continually. Oh what a blessing it is to know and seek the Lord.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” ‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23

Everyone goes into the new year with an idea of how they want their year to go, things they want to change, things they hope for. We call these resolutions. Many want to create better habits, whether that is Spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially, or socially. I hear things like “In 2025 I’m going to read my bible every day”, or “I’m going to exercise every day”. These kinds of resolutions help us to create a necessary change in our lives to form us into the people we desire to be. But I think we so easily forget the One who made us who we are.

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭24

With all of these goals it is easy to forget and take for granted the gift we have in salvation. We get caught up in thinking how we can be better. A lot of people forget that the only way to truly change, is to include the one who created us. When was the last time your goals included what God can do, not just what you can do? 

‭‭“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians‬ ‭2:10

“assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:21-24

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2

Sure doing things like reading your bible and praying more are excellent goals, don’t get me wrong. But what if we were to set these goals with the mindset of becoming a new creation in Christ? With every day being a new resolution to become more like Christ, to die to our old selves and renew our minds daily. Salvation is not only a one time event. You must continually make the choice to follow Christ.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭‭17‬ 

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭

I was reminded recently of the weight of Salvation and just how good God is. We make mistakes every day. We constantly sin, even when we don’t think it’s a sin. Think about it, the first commandment is to not have any gods before the Lord God. That’s easy enough you think. But a god is literally anything you owe your allegiance to. Anything that largely occupies your thoughts and actions. It could be anything, big or small, but I think for most it is self. We forget how easily the sin of self takes over. It can be as small as just simply living life through the motions and getting caught up in all that’s going on around us that we forget to include the Lord. Or only include Him in the big life altering things. 

Anyone who has had any kind of relationship, doesn’t have to be romantic, could be a friendship, family, or any bond, knows that communication is kind of a big deal. If you don’t talk, then you don’t really have a relationship. It’s the same way with God, he doesn’t just care about the big stuff. He ought to be the first and last thing on our minds. 

My new year’s goal is to Experience God. I talked about this in my last post. But what I mean by that is I intend to live like David, how he constantly talked to God. In Psalms he writes that he “lies awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night”. I want that kind of relationship. I want that kind of devotion. I want my whole body to long for the Lord. This is what it means to include the Lord in everything.

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalms 143:8

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them. Lord , you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you. ” Isaiah 26:3-4,7,12

“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.” Psalms 63:1-8

When we live with this kind of devotion it gets hard to not be reminded of the goodness of God. It becomes hard to make self a priority over the Creator. So as you go about your New Year, are you including God in your resolutions? Is He the one you seek above all else? Have you thought about how He may want to use you this year? 

“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!” Psalms 32:8,11