|
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
By Pastor Peter Rahme
Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness…;
(Psalm 65:11a)
The countdown was exiting and thrilling once again, but the
celebration will be over and out for another year. The fireworks lit
up the dark skies of our cities for a little while, but the fun will
live in the depth of our memory for a long time to come.
Like clockwork,and in a disciplined time-conscious fashion, the
master year concluded her duties faithfully and successfully, and
without missing a beat, the apprentice new kid on the block
commenced her new responsibility right on the dot. The old veteran
passed away into history whilst the new baby was preparing to write
its own. As soon as the wrinkled and tired one turned off the lights
and finally went to bed after a long hard year, another fresh-faced,
full-of-energy got up , ready to lead the world and went straight to
work.
At the stroke of midnight the big hand on the Big Bens of the
world reached out and touched the small hand of their small sisters.
The long awaited signal went out all over the earth. It’s "New Year”
message was once again heard loud and clear and heeded instantly and
instantaneously
People everywhere followed suit and greeted each other with a
“ Happy New Year”
“Happy New Year”
- For many, it is a time where family
feuds and sibling rivalry are momentarily put on hold and
artificially laid aside and where even complete strangers can be
mistaken for close friends.
“Happy New Year”
- For most, it is nothing more than a
"commercial break" in the ongoing drama of their lives; a breather
to go and get a bite to eat and something to drink before they
return to the fantasy world of their mere existence.
“Happy New Year”
- For the majority, it is just wishful
thinking; a child play; something nice to say, hoping beyond hope
that someone or something up there somewhere, somehow may look down
upon earthlings with favour this year.
So the question on the lips of many sincere seekers must surely
be , is it at all possible to have a “Happy
New Year”?
Or is this simply a figment of someone's overstretched
imagination ; a cruel game? Also given the trouble the world is in
right now, what hope is there for us to have a complete new year,
never mind a happy one!
And if it is actually possible to have a “Happy
New Year”, WHO can
make it happen, and HOW does one go about it?
Thankfully we don't have to go too far to find the answer,
because our text above not only assures us that it is possible to
have a “Happy
New Year”
but
also directs us to GOD who can really make it happen. This is not
surprising because the Bible tells us that
by Him all things were
created (Colossians 1:16), with Him all things are possible (Mark
10:27) and through Him all things can be done (Philippians 4:13).
Therefore we can confidently say, that, by God's grace it is
possible ,not only to enjoy a “Happy
New Year” but also
to experience
the
happiest new year ever!
The first thing you need to do is to meet with and meditate on
Him who “crowns the year with His goodness” (Psalm 65:11a), lifting
the focus of your new year resolution above and beyond ' proving
your personhood and improvingt your imperfection' , into a fresh
revelation of ' the power of His praise and the wonder of His
worship". Then take time to:
Reflect
on the past twelve months of your life with a
thankful heart and a thoughtful mind, and Review
the highs and the lows with the right spirit of self examination
not self condemnation nor self congratulations;
Remember how the Lord Jesus worked in you, to build you up,
and through you, to bring others to Himself, and Rejoice
over the support of your network of friends ,the open
doors of ministry, the Gospel presentations , the saved souls
and the spiritual growth ;
Repent of any sins of omission and commission
seriously and sincerely, and Refocus your vision
on what really makes a difference on earth and matters dearly in
eternity;
Renew your desire to "observe the great commission”
(Matt 28:18-20), and Refresh your dedication to
"obey the great commandments” (Mk 12:30-31);
Remove all toxic-behaviour ,
time-wasting and energy-draining habits of accusation ,blame
,confusion, dramas and excuses as far as possible from your
life, and Replace it with a living style that is positive,
proactive and productive in a manner that is genuine , generous
and gentleman like;
Recharge
the resilience in the battery of your soul
esteem to the level where you truly believe, think and feel that
you can do it, and Resume your earthly journey
towards your eternal rewards with grace, mercy and peace.
In Closing
Having the above truth firm in your mind and fixed in your heart,
learn from last year and leave it all behind you, then long for the
Lord Jesus and look only to Him who is before you, taking one step
at a time in your daily walk with Him.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all
ages, world without end. Amen.(Ephesians 3:20-21)
With the love of Christ
Peter
...........................
Rev Peter Rahme J.P.; B.th
Pastor - Inner West Baptist Church
Author -
The Man & The Story Behind
Amazing Grace
Chairman -
Christian Worldview
PO Box 5296 Chullora NSW 2190 Australia
National - Tel (02) 9742 5716; Fax (02) 9742 5715
Interational - Tel (+612) 9742 5716; Fax (+612) 9742 5715
To view Peter's clips on You Tube
click here
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=innerwestbaptist&view=videos
......................
Peter Rahme AD 2010 |
