The Pastor’s Corner
What do you expect to happen in 2020? Same thing different year? Do you expect change by someone else that will affect you? Maybe you will change and that brings some change?
There is a saying, “You cannot do the same old thing, the same old way, and expect a different Outcome.”
For most of us, we don’t need to get in the groove. We need to get out of the groove and do something different.
Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”
I want life. I want it to be more abundantly, and I want to live instead of just feeling like I am existing.
This life is sometimes just overwhelming. This life causes us to feel like we are in bondage instead of the freedom that is in Christ.
So, I will answer my own question this morning: What can you expect out of 2020? You can expect to get what you put into it.
If you do the same old thing the same old way, don’t be surprised that the outcome is the same.
A fresh start doesn’t always mean that you must turn your life upside down, it means to change the things that you know to change and be where God wants you.
God is the God of second, third, fourth chances. Fresh starts.
The Lord says in Isaiah 43:18-19:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?”
Every year, we promise ourselves it is going to be different. “I’ll quit this.” “I’ll start this.”
We make resolutions. What we need to do is make commitments.
Five things that need to happen if 2020 is going to be different than 2019: I. Daily Walk
Ephesians 5:15, “Be careful, then how you live not as unwise but as wise.”
As you walk with the Lord each day, you will face many crossroads. God will open the way before you, but He will not mandate your steps. He’s given you a free will with which to choose the steps you take. He does caution you to choose wisely, though.
II. Decisions
Proverbs 16:9, “In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
Make your lists set your priorities, perfect your agendas. And work them well. But, amid it all, remember to surrender them to God.
III. Desires
Proverbs 13:4b, “The desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
God doesn’t promise to fulfill your every craving, but if you live life in a relationship in Him you will be satisfied- fully satisfied.
Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
IV. Determination
The Bible promises repeatedly that your determination will be rewarded.
Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
God sees even if no one else does.
He understands the process and difficulty.
V. Devotion
Deuteronomy 6:5, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Devotion to God comes with strings attached-or maybe it would be better to say promises. When you give yourself completely to God, you become an heir to eternal life, and a child of his kingdom. Give Him every room in your heart. Open every door wide and invite Him in. When He comes, He brings with Him peace, joy, love, and much more.
Friends, 2019 is gone and 2020 is here. God promises prosperity and success and blessing for this coming year. All we must do is walk through it with Him, in our daily walk, our decisions, our desires, our determination, and our devotion.
