How many of us want to start fresh this new year? We long to be able to put our past failures behind us. We also wish to enter 2012 without the burdens and fears we carry now. Is that possible? According to the Bible it is. We can be forgiven of any sin we have committed in the past as well as have the weight of our burdens lifted by Jesus Himself. In Matthew 11 Jesus gives us this promise, 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” In addition we are assured that God's love and intimate presence will be with us no matter what comes our way this new year. In Romans 8 the apostle Paul proclaims that 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. These are just two of the many promises of God that offer us a fresh start.
Now you or I can promise someone anything but have no guarantee we can fulfill our words. But when the Living God makes a promise we can be sure He is always as good as His Word. If we want a fresh start this new year then we need to act upon the promises of God. Learn God's promises and begin to put them into practice in your life. To help you take action on your desire I have set up four progressive prayer stations in the church sanctuary you can use on New Year's Eve to clear your past failures and face your fears with faith. The sanctuary will be open all day New Year's Eve beginning at 8AM and continuing through Midnight. The back doors of the church will be unlocked and main doors of the sanctuary will be where the prayer stations journey begins. Pick up a prayer stations guide and dive in. My hope and prayer for you is that sometime on the 31st of December you will make time (maybe 30min.) to get your life refreshed and ready for the new year.