Another year has gone by, and like every previous one, faster than we expected; and yet none of us can go back and change anything or try to reclaim any missed opportunities. This is a very sobering thought! But thank God for His enduring Grace and mercy that is renewed every morning!

All of us had some enjoyable moments and some difficult ones, but by the grace of God we overcame and now we are looking for a new beginning. I know for sure that many of us want this New Year to be better than the last one, but I also very few of us will do anything differently this New Year than we did last year. So here is my encouragement: if anything is going to change for you this New Year, YOU Must Change! As I see it life is pretty constant, the only thing that can change is YOU.

Our theme verse for this year is Romans 12:2
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

God calls us to be “Transformed” to Change, to Grow through a process. That process is through a renewal of the mind. Don't let your mind go to waste, and don't waste your mind. The goal here is to be able to figure out the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Not necessarily for your life, but for God's Kingdom and purpose.

We need to ask ourselves the question how do I need to prepare myself TODAY so God can use me in His plans TOMORROW? Remember what I always say” “Luck is the intersection of Preparation and Opportunity.” When you are prepared and the opportunity presents itself, you will be able to seize the moment, and people around you will tell you how lucky you are! When they say that, just smile and tell them they could be just as lucky if they would just venture to do something differently this year than they did last year.

I want to encourage you to set some Goals this year. Set at least 4 goals:

1. A Spiritual goal (what are you willing to do differently to draw closer to God?)
2. A Personal goal (what are you willing to do differently to be healthier?)
3. A Family goal (what are you willing to do differently to get closer to your Family?)
4. A Financial goal (what are you willing to do differently to earn more, to give more to God, to save more for your future?)

This year don't wish things were easier, pray to become better. Don't wish for fewer problems, pray for more skills. Don't wish for fewer challenges, pray for more wisdom.

Remember Jesus' words in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdome and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Have a blessed New Year in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!