stephen R Harrison

I’m back at the gym this morning for my second day in a row (you’ve got to have at least two days to make “it in a row”). It’s the first week my back hasn’t stopped me from running and working out in about two months. I also wanted to start the gym before the new year so, as an “old pro”, I can “complain” about all the “new” people crowding the gym at the beginning of the year. Haha.

I’ve got some new goals for the new year. i’m also praying that it’s different than the previous year. I can honestly say, 2023 was a good year. What was 2023 like for you? Whatever your answer, it’s almost over. Perhaps 2023 brought great joy or maybe indescribable hurt. Perhaps you wish next year would be just like this one because it was almost perfect. Maybe some people you trusted let you down. One of my favorite Scriptures is Revelation 21:5. It says, “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’”. There is One you can trust: Jesus, and His Word says we can “write this down”. That sounds like “mark my word” and “take it to the bank”! The words of the Lord can be trusted because they are true!

Here’s something else you can take to the bank: 2024 won’t be perfect. You might not think that’s very positive. Let me be positive…I’m positive 2024 won’t be perfect. Just because the calendar and clock changes doesn’t mean circumstances will. However, Christ is bigger than our circumstances. We can experience His love, joy, and peace this year even when it isn’t perfect. His love, joy, and peace are designed for adverse situations. He is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and He loved us when we were sinners (Romans 5:8) and His enemies (Romans 5:10). So the love of God isn’t just for when we and our circumstances are perfect. Paul said rejoice (Philippians 4:4) which means remember where your joy originates. Paul was in prison and possibly about to be executed when he spoke about the joy of the Lord. God’s peace goes beyond our understanding (Philippians 4:7). That means in the middle of crazy, you’ll be at peace and know it’s only because of God!

New situations are nice, but more than a change of circumstances, God wants to change you. To become brand new in Christ is to be saved. He makes us new creations when we surrender our lives to Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). A new you that has a Spirit-filled mindset equipped with His love, joy, and peace can weather any circumstance. Those three fruits of the Spirit, along with the others in Galatians 5:22-23 are designed to be used to victoriously battle difficult times. Think about it! Patience is made for when you are impatient. Kindness is devised to combat rudeness. Goodness overcomes evil, faithfulness conquers treachery, gentleness beats cruelty, and self control trumps out of control! When God’s Spirit is filling you, you are equipped to face whatever comes your way with Christ-like confidence. When you can’t change your circumstances, let God change you! The best way to make this New Year better is to let God change your attitude and reactions to that of His Spirit. It’s almost a New Year, so why not let God bring about a new you in your spirit, soul, and body?