Compilation of articles
As the new year approaches, a thought repeats in my head that may seem simple, but it is a strong truth: ‘New Year, same God!’
This short sentence reminded me of a beautiful verse from a leaf to the Jews 13:8: ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.’
In a letter to the Church in Philippi, Paul wrote: Brothers, I’m really not pretending to be at the finish line, but I’m talking about one thing: I leave everything behind and only focus on what is before me. I run to the goal to win the heavenly prize, which is God’s calling in Christ Jesus. I hope that all of you who have grown to adulthood in faith are looking at those things as much as I am. If you have any more doubts, God will give you a clearer time too. Above all, stick to at least the truth you already know. (Philipsky 3:13–14).
Given how quickly our families, church, politics and technology are changing, it is encouraging to know that God never changes! God does not ‘adapt’ to time. God’s Word does not change according to cultural pressures or difficult life situations. God does not have to change, because he is already the king of kings and the master of the lords! we just have to ‘Ditting on what’s in front of me’.
At the beginning of the new year, it is natural to think about the past and set goals for the future. But as Christians, our goals must not only be about achieving personal success or financial well-being, but More about worshiping God and adapting our lives to his will.
One way to start setting godly goals is prayer seek God’s guidance. Listen to his voice and ask him for guidance in the coming year. Psalmist in Psalm 37:4 says: Look for well-being in the Lord, he will give you everything he asks your heart. When we seek God first, he will lead us and give us desires that are in harmony with his will for our life.
So at the beginning of the new year, let’s remember: ‘New Year, the same God!’ – Chaplain Allen 1
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From Jesus with Love
I guided you through this year, a year of change, a year of new challenges, a year of trials, a year of growth. Now that you stand on the threshold of the New Year, I promise to give you strength and grace and prepare you for what awaits you.
I am happy with every progress you made last year. It made me happy every time you came to me, when you praised me, when you listened to my voice, when you were looking for me.
I know you also fought in the past year. Fighting is inevitable in this world. However, do not be afraid of the size or strength of the waves that you will face in the coming year. I will help you be steadfast and unshakable, full of faith and trust in me. You can be sure that I am still with you and that I will always support you.
In the time of darkness I will be your light. In the time of sadness I will be your joy. At the time of struggle I will be your deliverance. In time of weakness I will be your strength. So don’t be depressed in spirit or sad. Don’t worry about the past or fear the future. Just come to me And you will find forgiveness, comfort, strength and love.
More beautiful encouraging messages from Jesus here:https://nekomunatobezalezi.cz/pro-tebe/
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Is there really such a thing as a new beginning?
We start the new year with some hope – another year, another chance, a new beginning. Nevertheless, we carry with us the same fears, the same desires, the same resolutions. When our past or present appears so broken that its shards go back deep into the future, new days are often filled with fears rather than hopes. Let us be comforted: Even if your sins were like scarlet, they would turn white as snow, even if they were red like purple, they would be white as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
I remember a time when I could imagine the end of a difficult situation, but what I could not imagine was a beginning that was not marked by the past. ‘Is there really such a thing as a new beginning?’ was a question I was thinking about.
A good friend gave me these following words written and asked me to stick to them:
But I take this to my heart, this is my hope: the Lord’s love does not pass away, his compassion never ends. Every morning still new, your loyalty is so great! My destiny is the Lord, I say to myself, I will place my hope in it. The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to all who seek him. (crying 3:21-25)
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A look at tomorrow
When we stand on the threshold of the new year, we naturally think about what awaits us in the coming year. On this path called life, we experience good and bad, ups and downs, and we often have no idea what is around the corner for us. As Christians, we try to make the best decisions we can and live a kind and honest life that will please God and bless the lives of others. Every day we make decisions that can affect our future, and it is not always clear how. This is not easy even in easy times, but the time we live in now is not easy or easy at all.
We can assume that this is an interesting time for researchers in the field of culture and history, but the reality for us who experience it is that each new year brings with it new uncertainties and risks.
either The thing we can hold on as certain anchors and refuge in life is God’s love and caring for us, Even in the darkest and hardest times. ‘God said, ‘I will never leave you. I will never renounce you” Hebrews 13:5 (Čep).
Because it is impossible for God to lie, So we can lean unwaveringly as about his promise, so about his oath. When we resorted to it, we may draw the mighty pleasure of the offered hope, which we took up. it is the safe and solid anchor of our whole being that connects us to God. Hebrews 6:18–19
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In 1939, a young preacher and musician named Ira Stanphill married Zelma Lawson, the daughter of a pastor who had a beautiful voice and played the piano. Unfortunately, this marriage finally ended in 1948, and his ex-wife died in a car accident shortly after. During the years between their separation and divorce and then after her death, Stanphill fell into a deep depression.
One night, while he was driving a car, he started humming a song about not knowing what the future would bring, and that he trusted God even in situations he didn’t understand. After arriving home, he rushed to the piano and wrote down the words of the song “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” (I know who is holding tomorrow), which soon became famous. Her words still resonate with many of us who are facing an unknown future.
many things about tomorrow,
I don’t seem to understand;
But I know one thing, who oversees tomorrow,
And I also know who is holding my hand.
I don’t care about the future,
Because I know and know what Jesus said,
And so today I will walk by his side,
Because for him it is not a puzzle, what is in front of me.
God does not promise that our life will be easy, but he promises that every day of our life is in his hands!
What a consolation it is now that we enter the new year! When we realize that the one who loves us the most knows what lies ahead and will walk with us every day and every step.
— R. Keane
A song here with words and a beautiful video about Moses and the opening of the Red Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnZUEB0K9Vo
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Prayer for the New Year
Our Father and our God, at the beginning of this new year, when we are facing an unknown future, we admit that we need your present and your guidance.
Each of us has our hopes and expectations for the year ahead – but only you know what it will bring us. Only you can give us the strength and wisdom that we will need to face its challenges. So help us humbly put your hand on yours and trust you and seek your will for our life in this coming year.
assure us in the midst of the uncertainties of life in the coming days of the certainty of your unchanging love. In the midst of the inevitable disappointments and pains of life, help us turn to you to find the stability and comfort we will need. In the midst of the temptation and the move of our stubborn self-will, help us not to lose your path. Help us have the courage to do what is right in your eyes, no matter what it will cost us.
And in the midst of our daily worries and activities, open our eyes to the suffering and injustices of our wounded world and help us respond to them. Let the prayer of the ancient psalmist be our constant prayer: I will run the path of your commandments, you have given my heart freedom. Show me the way of your regulations, I will consistently observe it. (Psalm 119:32 and 33). …
Looking back on the past year, we thank you for your kindness to us – far beyond what we deserved. Let us never forget your past goodness or your mercy towards us, but let us, on the contrary, lead us to a new commitment to make you the basis and center of our lives this year.
And so, our Father, we thank you for the promise and hope of this new year and We look forward to it with anticipation and faith.
I am asking for this in the name of our Lord and Savior, who by his death and resurrection gave us hope for both this world and the future world. Amen.
—Billy Graham the 2
End
1 Chaplain Allen Thyssen, “Reflections—New Year, Same God,” Nations.edu, January 4, 2024, https://nationsu.edu/reflections-new-year-same-god.
2 “Billy Graham’s Prayer for a New Year,” Billygraham.org, January 1, 2024, https://billygraham.org/articles/billy-grahams-prayer-for-the-new-year-4.
