How was 2017, for you? – Saturday, 30 December

If you had to sum it up in one word, what would it be? Do you sum up your year in a positive way or a negative way?

As I was browsing through social media before and after New Year’s, I was surprised at how many Christians were negative about 2017. Apparently, for many people, 2017 was one of the worst. The irony is that it’s the same story year after year:  “Last year was terrible, but this year will be better!”. But it never is. Not much seems to change.

The reason for this is probably because most people don’t choose to make the significant adjustments at the end of a year that is necessary to ensure that they go in a better direction in the next one. They hope for change without making the decisions that make change possible. Over the next few days, I want to share some keys with you: keys to getting yourself on the pathway to having a great year, and a great life. You might desire a change or an improvement in an area of your life. This won’t happen by you merely continuing the way you are going – you need to make some decisions. Your decisions determine your destiny!

A new year brings new challenges and new problems. A great year isn’t going to happen to you by accident, or just because God wants you to have a great year. Too many people wrongly believe that God is dishing out ‘good years’ to some people and ‘bad years’ to others – but He isn’t in control of your year. You are. You can’t ask God to bless you with a good year – He’s already done His part in setting you up for a great year. He has blessed you in Christ with everything you could ever need to have a great year (Ephesians 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3). It may seem a little harsh, but the reality of the situation is that you will determine whether or not your year is a good one.

Over the next couple of days I will share some things with you that have the power to transform your life (it will also help others so please forward it to your loved ones!). It doesn’t matter how bad things are right now. You may be deep in debt, entangled in some kind of addiction, involved in pain-filled relationships, or you may have incurable diseases threatening to take your life or stop you from living life to the full. Whatever your challenges may be: there is hope! It may be that you don’t have negative circumstances at the moment – that’s wonderful! But you may have a dream in your heart which seems impossible; something that you want to accomplish, but which seems too big for you.

Whatever your situation, hear these words of Jesus. He is saying them directly to you concerning your life:

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 Holman Christian Standard Bible

“”I am the LORD, the God of all humankind. There is, indeed, nothing too difficult for me.”
Jeremiah 32:27 NET Bible