New Year, New Life with God

Happy New Year everyone!

It is a New Year that means for many it’s a new opportunity to change their lives. We hype this time of the year up as if it is magical but in reality many fail in their resolutions. I stopped doing New Year’s resolutions as I always failed them and it made the New Year very stressful. They’re just not for me, if they are for you then great, I wish you luck and I’ll be praying for you.

Many may mock you but it is because they’re stuck in their ways and wish they could change.

The truth is though, you all out there can be successful in change, even the ones that scoff and mock. Just because you failed in the past doesn’t mean you will fail today.

The best first step is to go to God.

With God He can make all things new. I’ve seen memes where they say, “You don’t need a new year just a Monday.”

Well with God you don’t need a new year or a Monday; you just need a new moment.

Right now everything can change for you.

My entire life has been different since I started having a relationship with God.

I have seen change in myself and others around me, I have seen miracles both small and big. When you give your life to Christ, you will see how God will take care of you.

God has taken care of my wife and I in so many ways, I wish I could list them all here today. I should be writing more about the ways God has effected my life in order to show the love of God and His wondrous works.

Well, would look at that, maybe I do have a New Year’s resolution.

But I digress.

Please pledge your life to Christ today.

If you have fallen away, recommit your life to Christ today.

Don’t just start a new year, don’t just start a new week, start your new life today.

Have a blessed week,
Chris

Here are three great Bible verses for you………….today.

Philippians 4:13 New King James Version (NKJV)
13 I can do all things through [a]Christ who strengthens me.

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Deuteronomy 31:6
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

The Circle of Forgiveness

Forgiveness in the Christian Doctrine is like a circle, it all connects and if any part of the circle is broken it loses its shape and meaning.

The first step to forgiveness is to ask God to forgive you of your sins, He will always forgive you. That is the most important and crucial part of the circle. In order to enter it you must first ask to be forgiven, God is there waiting for you to join Him inside.

Salvation comes from forgiveness from God, without asking you cannot receive it.

It is also important to continue to repent after you’re saved. God knows what is in your heart but showing obedience by praying to Him after a mistake shows Him that you love Him.

Remember your salvation is not a license to sin, don’t abuse your relationship with the Lord. Show Him the same love He shows you.

The second part of the circle is to forgive yourself. That is a very difficult task, forgiving yourself for all you have done. Just last night I laid awake thinking about things I did in High School.

But remember God is more important than yourself, if He can forgive you. Then you can forgive yourself.

It is very similar to loving your neighbor as you love yourself, if you don’t love yourself how can you love your neighbor the same? Well if you can’t forgive yourself how can you forgive your neighbor?

Which brings us to the third and final part of the circle, forgiving others.

God calls us to forgive others it’s included in the Lord’s Prayer and in many verses throughout the Bible.

In Matthew 6:14-15 we read, “14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Also in Luke 17: 3-4 it says, “3 So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

I will include a link to 20 verses on forgiveness in the Bible.

Once again I must emphasize we are not greater than God so if He chooses forgive others than you should too.

The circle of forgiveness goes like this…

God forgives, your forgive yourself and then you forgive others. God will always forgive you so the circle can only be broken by yourself. It is also up to you to keep the circle flowing so you can get back to God.

The Lord is waiting on you to enter the circle.

Have a blessed week,
Chris

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/forgiveness-bible-verses/