Well here we are in 2022. Doesn’t hardly seem possible, does it? Seems like 2021 has just flown by faster than 2020, but that could have something to do with the fact that we were not trapped in our homes for a majority of the year. (HA HA). It seems that whenever a new Year rolls around we tend to look back at the previous year and then decide where we have fallen short or just completely dropped the ball and figure out what we want to do differently or better. I don’t know about you, but I do this almost every year and never seem to accomplish what I set as my “New Year's Resolutions.” I may be able to check a few of them off my list but never all of them. Maybe this is just because they are too ambitious or is it that about one quarter to one half of the way through the year we get discouraged with our progress or even lose sight of them. Whatever the reason they are just there to become failures for when the next New Year rolls around. Everything that we don’t complete can just add to our discouragement orf what we didn’t do or determination of what we expect of ourselves the next year. Either way it is just a cycle that continues year after year.
This reminds me of another cycle that continues in the lives of every person who has ever lived on the face of this planet. We are born with a nature that drives us to make choices that are driven by our own personal interest and desires. Often these choices are contrary to what God’s principles, plans and desires are for us. We are by nature selfish and whether we are making goals on a physical level or a spiritual level for our lives we have the tendency to let our nature get in the way even if we have at some point given our lives to Jesus. Our nature is strong, but not strong enough to overcome that of our God.
As we start the New Year let's take the following scriptures into consideration. When we make or have made a decision to follow Jesus and accept the forgiveness and grace that He gives us, we are given a new start spiritually and allowed to start with a clean slate.
Ephesians 4:24
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Colossians 3:10
and having put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
These two verses talk about putting on a new self and being renewed. But, not only are we to be renewed, we are to be more like God, in righteousness, holiness and knowledge. We are to strive to be like and model our life after the one who created and redeemed us. We are to be the image of the one whom we choose to follow. If we carry this further we look in Revelations 21:5 where 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.””
God desires to make everything about us new. Not only does He desire to give us a new Spiritual start but He also offers a new start in the way we live and the decisions that we make. Sure our past is still there but we are able to change and become the people that God has planned for us to be. We are to be a people who shine as the image of God Himself. Wow, that is an awesome opportunity.
As 2022 is starting and we are thinking about what lies ahead and are making plans, whether it is in our personal, professional, social or spiritual lives, let's consider allowing God to make this new year, one where our goals and resolutions are made through and in Christ and not all of our own volition.
Here are a few questions for you in 2022.
What does God desire for you in 2022?
What does God want you to accomplish in 2022?
How much are you willing to release and accept from the one true God?
What are you resolved to be and do for the glory of God and the furthering of His kingdom?
Something Exciting for 2022
Speaking of new starts, The Kansas Synergy team has been working on starting a new Church in Kansas. They have been meeting, praying and planning for about 6 months seeking God’s direction in reaching Kansas with the Kingdom message. They put together a TAP (Target Analysis Process) team that for the last twelve weeks has been identifying a prospective target community for the next Church planting endeavor. They have worked hard and tirelessly to not only analyze areas but also to seek God’s direction in furthering the kingdom. They have come to a final decision of where to plant the next church and are announcing that this Sunday, January 9th, here at Grace at 6:00pm.
Next they will start the process of finding a church planter who will be the frontman and pastor for the newly planted church.
Please be praying for God to guide them as they are seeking out the specifics of this exciting adventure. Specifically, pray for the right person to be the church planter, the provision of a place to meet, an initial body of believers who are committed to seeing the Gospel message being shared and lives changed, and the preparation of hearts in the target community.
Looks like 2022 is going to be an exciting and prosperous year for God’s Kingdom in Kansas!
May The Lord bless you and guide you as you seek to draw nearer to Him in the coming year.
BXFC (Be Xtreme For Christ)
Sean