It is almost here! A start over day. A new year with the best of intentions before us. What shall I boldly state will be my 2016 New Years Resolution? We all have good intentions. We all hear the question, “Made any resolutions for the New Year?” Don’t we all have them? Good intentions to do better. Right the wrongs of last year.
We set weight goals, workout goals, financial goals. Then there are the goals to be kind, compassionate and forgiving. Some we may reach, but sadly others fall by the wayside.
Christ died for our sins that we might be free from the yoke of slavery. The yoke of oppressive force or burden. The things that just hang over us and burdens us down. Our weight, our financial situations, the condition of our country, the feeling of helplessness, depression, grief, no way out of the sinking sand. Yoked by something that will not let go. Perhaps there is a nagging fear. Uncertainty of what lays ahead for our country. Be still and know that I am God. That is hard to do. That be still part. We want to fix it! Fix it now! God wants us to be still and let Him guide us.
Christ came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He came and died to free us from the bondage of sin. If we trust Christ as our Shepherd, then He is not going to lead us astray. We can trust Him with everything. Trust Him with tomorrrow, the day after, the week, month, years, etc.
I remember as a very small child, my Dad lifted me and tried too throw me up into the air. I wasn’t going to have that. I held onto his arms. My recollection was that he said, “Let go, I will catch you.” So, we tried again. I let go and came right back down into the arms of my Father. Our God is even more trustworthy. Trust and obey. Those are the rules. Let go in this new year. Let God have your life and see what magnificent things He can do.
The vessel Christ dwells in, is free. Liberty abounds. The only One that we need to seek, trust, obey, please, and honor is Christ. That depression that veils your days? That burden of pressures that may have you completely stressed out? That relationship that seems so difficult to maintain, peacefully. That rehabilitation that is not going as fast as you would like. That lonliness that creeps in occasionally? The doubts the enemy puts in our mind. Give them all to Jesus.
“By myself, I can’t do this. With You on my side, I can do anything!” Pack all those goals up and hand them over. They are like all the years of baggage we drag along behind us. Not wanting to let go and walk away from the hurts, the anger, the bitterness, our failures. Not ready to forgive and set our debtors free, the trespassers of our peace. Let it go! Let them go! Hand them over…
Scripture says that the Son is always with us, and He sets us free. So if having the Son sets us free, we are free indeed. Because He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Praying blessings over each of you for this first day of the New Year! If you must make goals, then do so. Then hand them over. We can’t reach them all on our own. Through Christ we can. We are free to excel in every way. Free indeed.
~Scripture For Today~
Galatians 5:1
1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (NASB)
2 Corinthians 3:17
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (NASB)
John 8:36
36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! Hallowed be Your name. We have stepped into a new year. A new palette before us. An opportunity to do new things. To put away the old and greet the new. Those things that troubled us? That is last years business now. We pray for new beginnings and new goals. We receive the freedom promised to us in Your word. We are the children of the living God. We are free indeed. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2016 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.