Readings: Psalms 126 Philippians 3:12-4:1
Introduction
Today is the beginning of a new year. 2011 has gone and now we need to focus on 2012. In focusing on 2012 we set new resolutions for the year. How was 2011 for you? Maybe 2011 was not a good year for you. This Life is full of things that try to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe things did not go how you wanted. Maybe you received some bad news about your health or perhaps a relationship didn’t work out. That was a setback. It’s easy to get discouraged or lose your enthusiasm or even be tempted to just settle where you are.
But if we’re going to see God’s best, we have to have a “bounce back” mentality. That means when you get knocked down, you don’t stay down. You get back up again. You have to know that every time adversity comes against you, it’s a setup for a comeback!
Remember, as a believer in Jesus, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you. There is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny.
Do you have a resolution for this year? St Mark’s leadership have resolved this year to be a growing congregational; spiritually and in numbers.
As believers who belong to St Mark’s congregation, you are privileged. Let me suggest that you give prayerful consideration to the following.
· Let us resolve to forget the past and to honor God more in 2012!
“Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13 – 14).
· Let us resolve to live for Christ before the world!
“For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” (Phil. 1:21).
· Let us resolve to trust God with a strong faith!
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).
· Let us resolve to be faithful in worship!
“not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 10:25).
· Let us resolve to honor God with our income!
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. ” (Mal. 3:10).
· Let us resolve to bear one another’s burdens!
“Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2).
· Let us resolve to faithfully witness to the unsaved!
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. (Ps. 126:5 – 6).
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, my prayer is that the year 2012 should be the year of success and prosperity. The old has passed away and God has planned for you good plans to prosper you.
Do you want to have good life? If you stay in faith, then God will turn what was meant to be a stumbling block into a stepping stone, and you’ll move forward in strength, full of faith and victory!
God can set you up for success in everything you do. Choose today to trust Him and rely on Him for 2012.
Our best days are coming and look ahead to the blessings God have in store for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment