New Year New Hope

Jeremiah 31:17 "There is hope for your future." I realize that this verse was written to the children of Israel during the time of captivity in which there was much hopelessness. The words spoken then though are as true today and here is why.
One, God has not changed. He has a plan for your life like He had a plan for Israel. The sins of Israel prevented that plan to be lived to its fullest and often that can be said of us as well. God continued to reach out to them in love and when they begin to respond to Him God begin to restore Israel as a nation. This is not happen over night but it did happen. Two, Jesus is our Lord and Savior. The scriptures teach that greater is He that is in us then he that is in the world. The promises of God are yes and amen in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus did not come to abolish the law and prophets but to complete them. We have promises of victory, freedom and fruitfulness that the world cannot stop when we live God's way. Repentance is a huge part for us to learn how to live life His way. Three, our past has already been written but our future is in the hands of God. This is one of the reasons the apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14 "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." God want us to be forward lookers which can be done when we place all our sins and failures at the cross of Christ. Forgive me Lord for not doing all You wanted me to do in 2011 and help me by Your grace, mercy and power to do the things that You want me to do 2012. I encourage you to take some time in the next couple of days to reflect upon last year and then put it in its proper perspective and then begin to dream what God wants you to do in 2012. He has great plans for you so do not dream too small. May big prayer is that I would live is such a manner that His favor and Presence would rest upon my life.
May the peace and love of God go with you.

Pastor John