How To Have A Successful New Year

Anonymous
Dec 29, 2020

We are all facing a New Year, full of uncertain days and untapped potential.

Let’s remember to keep our focus forward and upward, (Luke 9:62).

 

Hudson Taylor once said, “God’s will, done God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.” 

What do you want to accomplish in this upcoming year? Hopefully, it is your desire to become, and accomplish what the Lord desires. I am sure that like me, you want to do things the way God would have you to do them. Whether to say the things that He desires you to, and/or to think in ways that please Him. 

If, like me you have tried things your way time and time again, and yet failed miserably, take heart. We serve a loving Father, who is the God of second chances. Let’s start today with a new resolve to do things His way and watch as He blesses our efforts. To accomplish this, we must remember to submit ourselves to The Lord. We must humble ourselves to Him, grow in His word, His will, and His likeness.

 

First, we need to submit ourselves

(Proverbs 3:5-6 and James 4:7)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

Submission of any kind takes humility. Be honest as humans, submission comes after some reluctance. When we submit to the ways of The Lord, He embraces us, directs us, and blesses us. Then in His timing He will lift us up to do His will and pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

 

Second, we need to humble ourselves.

(James 4:6 and 10)

Humility is not easy, on our own. What makes it difficult to be humble is when our culture tells us how special and unique, we are. While this is true on one hand, our culture has done a huge disservice to us by over exhorting us. Ever since we were old enough to care, we were told we are the best and that everyone's a winner. It’s the norm to be told that being first is the ultimate success. Yet, God’s Word tells us that, “the last shall be first.” (Matthew 20:16), and if we want to be great in God’s kingdom, we need to be servant of all (Mark 9:35). 

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

 

Third and lastly, we need to grow ourselves.

(Ephesians 4:15 and II Peter 3:18)

To be successful in any area of life we need to grow. Some growth, obviously, comes naturally. Our bodies grow without us even realizing it.  Other times it’s through constant repetition, we learn daily activities to live a normal life. We learn to tie our shoes, read, or drive a car. However, when it comes to our mind and spirit, we need to take a more intentional role to see any new and lasting development. We tend to forget that spiritual growth is not a once and done process.  We must renew our minds daily through prayer, bible reading and meditation. It is fundamental that we put into practice what we are reading and learning.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

When I was playing sports, I needed to learn the rules of each sport, and it was vital to strengthen my muscles and develop my endurance so that I was able to achieve success on some level. The process was not pleasant and sometimes downright painful, especially when I was just starting to develop the discipline. Fortunately, that pain doesn't last. It stimulates growth, and with that growth comes endurance. The key to any growth pain is to not give up. We, as believers, need to press on. (Philippians 4:13-14)

 

We can conclude that the results of submission, humility, and growth can lead to true joy, and proper fellowship with one another. So, to be successful now and throughout this new year remember to …,

Submit to God’s Word, daily.

Stay Humble in service,

Grow by sharing your faith in Jesus, regularly.

Watch God work, mightily.  

 

Love and Blessings, In Him,

Troy Cox

Jerimiah 29:11-13