A New Year and a New You

Everything that you and I experienced in 2014 was the result of the decisions we made in this year or in years before. Life is choice driven! So, if we can somehow manage to make better decisions in 2015, we can also create a more successful life. If you want a better New Year in 2015, you need to become a better “You”. The key to the Good Life that God has for you is in your Surender to His will.

At Parklawn AG and in my my own life, I am declaring 2015 as the “Year of Yes”. A Better Life is on the other side of our saying “Yes” to God.

“Yes” is a word of surrender and submission. When we surrender and submit to the Word and Will of God we position ourselves to succeed. Success in life is the result of a new way of thinking.

Consider this, all of the people in the world are basically the same with the exception of how they think. In addition, the most successful athlete, entertainer, preacher or business person can have wealth and fame but if their thinking is not renewed and conformed to God’s word and will, then their success will only be temporary. Bill Gates is a billionaire because of the way he thinks and the habits he has developed. You can become more successful too, if you change you habits and decisions.

The Bible begs us to surrender to God and to change our thinkIng in Romans 12:1-2. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

We all became familiar with the process transformation when in elementary school, we first watched a caterpillar become a butterfly. After spending weeks in the cocoon, the ugly wormlike creature changed its shape, color and function. In the same way, when we too are submitted to God’s word and will, over time, our lives will also emerged as a beautiful butterfly in 2015.

Answering these questions could help you to start the process of becoming a New You in the New Year 2015:

  1. “Who do you belong to?” “Are you saved?” “Is God the head of your life or are you still calling the shots?” “If you are in control of your life, why don’t you let Jesus take the wheel?” Salvation is getting reconnected to God and to your purpose. It is the first step out of a dead life and into the good life God has created you to experience.
  2. “Who are you?” The two most important days of your life are, first, the day you were born and second, the day you discover why you were born. “Why were you born?” Start 2015 doing the things that give you and the Lord the most pleasure. Live your life on purpose.
  3. “Do your words and thoughts line up and agree with God’s words and thoughts?” The Bible says that “life and death are in the power of our tongues”. When you and I say what God says, then we will begin to see what God sees. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God’s thoughts concerning us are good and not evil. They are thoughts of a good future and prosperous destiny.
  4. “Are you a little bit afraid and nervous about the New Year?” New beginnings frighten most people and no one really likes change except a “wet baby”. One thing you need not fear is the Devil. He has already been defeated by Jesus Christ at the cross of Calvary. Today, the Devil is a roaring lion, roaming the Earth to see whom he can devour. But as we submit (Say Yes) to God and resist the devil, he will flee from us.
    The Devil’s main strategy is discouragement. He will try to take you away from the decisions necessary for a better year, a new you and a closer relationship with God. It is usually at the beginning of something good that the Devil works the hardest. He does not want you to ever start, so he fights hard to make you lose heart so that you will quit. Galatians 6:9 encourages us to not get weary while doing good because we will reap what we have sown, if we don’t quit.

We can look to and all learn a lesson from King David during one of most discoursing days in 1 Samuel 30. He encouraged Himself in the Lord his God and then he inquired of the Lord what he should do next. Be encouraged as you begin this New Year. Daily look to God for divine direction. Remember as you decide to become a better person in 2015, discouragement will come, but encouragement, guidance, help, success, peace and joy are one the other side of your “Yes” to God.

Happy New Year,

Bishop Walter F. Harvey

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