Text- Luke 5:38- “But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved”
At the turn of 12:00am today, a lot of people, and probably you also, made some New Year’s resolutions. But let me ask, how many New Year's resolutions have you made in your life and how many of those resolutions did you successfully effectuate? Researchers have found out that less than 10% of New Year's resolutions are actually actualized. You know why? - Change doesn’t come with the turn of a new year; it comes with the turn of a new you!
There’s usually little to no success with New Year’s resolutions because it’s the same old you that is being put into the New Year. An old you in a new year will not work, it’s a New You in the New Year that will count towards a happier you and a more productive year than the previous. How then can you experience a Happy New You?
1. Logos (The Living Word) – The first and ultimate means to a Happy New You is Jesus Christ, the living Word. Bible says in 2 Cor. 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new”. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and savior and you will experience a Happy New You! A You that is free from sin, shame and guilt; a You that is filled with joy, rest and hope.
2. Scriptures (The Written Word) – “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2). The Scriptures carry life and power to refresh, renew and transform your life amazingly. Get your personal copy of the Bible, and study it every day this year; let it be your final rule for faith and practice and you will experience a Happy New You! – Refreshed, Renewed and Transformed daily.
3. Rhema (The Spoken Word) – “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63). Rhema is the word of God spoken to your spirit, and quickened to your soul.
Genesis 15: 1 – “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” That was Rhema! Rhema is the word that addresses your present circumstances; the word that is relevant to your current situation. It could be a scripture that literally ‘jumps out of the page’ to speak personally to you, a word from your Pastor, a word from a Spirit-filled friend, or a word you got personally from God by divine inspiration.
When you are sensitive enough to recognize what God is saying to you per time, and you are humble enough to open yourself up to it, you will doubtless experience a Happy New You! A You that is no longer a victim of circumstances; A You that is always on top of the situation.
The Law of Inertia states that an object will remain at rest or move at a constant speed in a straight line unless it is acted on by an external force. When you allow the Logos, Scriptures and Rhema to act on you this year, a New You will emerge, and that will count towards a Happier You and a more Productive Year than the previous. Remember, new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. Happy New Year! Happy New You!
PRAYERS:
1. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, please say this short prayer- “Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. I ask you today to please come into my life and forgive me of my sins. I accept You today as my Lord and Savior. From now on, please help me to live for you all the days of my life. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
2. Lord Jesus, I ask this year that you transform me daily as I study your Word daily.
3. Lord Jesus, help me to be sensitive enough to recognize what you are saying to me per time this year and to be humble enough to embrace your word.
Image Credit: zmfit.com