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Listen while you read: "Standing At The Portal Of The Opening Year"1 (Lyrics) |
Philippians 3:12-14 – Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. (NRSV)
Psalm 118:24 – This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (NKJV)
Another year has drawn to an end, and we anticipate a new year ahead of us — a brand new year — a time of new beginnings, new opportunities, a time to start over again. Whether or not we make any new year's resolutions, we can still forget the things that are behind us — the things that we did that we didn't want to do — and we can fix our eyes on Jesus and seek opportunities to do the things that we wanted to do but didn't do in the past year.
Some ways to press on toward the goal could be:
- Read the Bible more.
- Pray more.
- Go to church regularly.
- Tell others about Jesus.
- Walk the talk: do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
- Love others as God has loved us.
We're not perfect, we still have a lot to learn, and sometimes we will fail in our efforts, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can press on and seek to be the people that we were created to be, as we stop looking back and start looking forward to what lies ahead.
As the Scripture tells in 1 Corinthians 6:19, we are not our own. If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we are His, and He will keep on helping us by His grace to do His will until that day when He returns.
Here is one of my favourite verses of Scripture:
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)
Let us seek that strength in the days ahead.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, our prayers are full of praise to You! We thank You for the new year ahead of us. Help us to make the most of each day. Thankfully, we don't have to rely on our own strength. May Your Spirit live within us so that we might become everything that You would have us be and know the joy of living lives that are pleasing to You. May we learn to trust in You as we seek Your plan for our lives, not looking back, but pressing on towards the goal of being transformed into the people that You want us to be. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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daughter: "Update May 12, 2025: Please keep praying for my daughter. She needs the Lord in her life*** April..." 
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Amen, Dee!
Wishing you the very best New Year Dee.
Thanks Dee for this uplifting devotional. Blessings.
Thanks for a great start to 2016.
God Bless
Hi Dee.
I was so happy to see that you had done the first Devotional for 2016. It was excellent.
Hi Dee. Thank you for writing this devotional because I really needed to hear that message today.
(Ontario)
Wow. I really needed this tonight. And you also had my 2 favourite verses in here from Psalms and Philippians. Thank you so much. And God bless you.
Dear Dee,
Truly scripturally meaty and blessedly guiding. Thank you.
Keep writing.
Dee
Thank you for the words of encouragement that give us strength in all we do, praying in Jesus name. God bless.
Hello Dee,
I just loved your “Daily” today. Every single word was wonderful. What an uplifting way to start the New Year! Every blessing to you!
Dear Dee:
Beautifully said. Amen. Praise the Lord our God Every Day of our lives!!
May God bless you throughout this New Hear.
Hi Dee,
Enjoyed your New Year’s message this morning, I like the goals you set. I do some of them on a regular basis, but sadly not all. To be honest I find some of them hard to do on a regular basis.
All the best to you and yours in the New Year
Hi Dee,
This was just what I needed to hear today January 1, 2016. May God give you the strength to face 2016 and open eyes to enjoy it.
Peace be with you
(Ontario, Canada)
Dear One.
Rewards come to you by the power of our God, through His Holy Spirit. Many times, He channels the reward through the members of His Son’s body. It is very good that we encourage one another is these last days. Be strong in Jesus, and continue to proclaim His words just as they are written.
(USA)
Good Morning Dee:
Happy New Year.
Another fine message and a challenge indeed to, we as Christians, to remember we must not only “Talk the Talk,” but also be very aware of the fact that we must “Walk The Walk” daily if we are to be a steadfast witnesses for our Lord and Savior.
I trust you had a pleasant Christmas and it is my sincere prayer the new year will bring you and your loved ones a New Year of Joy, Peace, Contentment and Good Health.
Continue to provide your beautiful messages for PCC, your witness is a blessing to me and I am sure to many, many others.
Thank you for your encouraging message. May we all seek God’s help and strength through this New Year.
Thank you. Wishing you a blessed New Year.