2016 was a good year for those who succeeded in their endeavors, and that same year was a good year for those who failed.

Whichever end you found yourself on, it is history. It is forever gone.  Here we are face-to-face with 2017. What does it hold for you? Perhaps you carried over unforgiveness from some heartache of yesterday.  Maybe you set goals that you didn’t reach.  That was then and now is now. Will you let yesterday’s woes hold you back again? It’s time to move forward reach forth. God wants you to be happy and free.

John 10:10 says, “ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  Those are the words of Jesus.  Jesus stands behind those words for they are truth. The thief, Satan, will do all he can to convince you that you are a failure or that you can’t possibly reach the goals you hope and need to accomplish.

If you  have been walking in unforgiveness, you can, by the grace step out of that bondage and forgive. Forgiveness is for you, not necessarily for the person who offended you. They may not know or even care. Just forgive and go on. If you became unfaithful to God or the church, it’s time to get back on track. It’s your decision and one that holds you accountable. Just do it.

Don’t let the world or your emotions dictate who you are or what you are. Let God’s Word tell you who you are. If you are a born again Christian, you have much to be thankful for. Arise and step forth in the blessings God has provided for you. He has made His joy and love and peace available to you but you must understand that the devil will do all he can to convince you it’s beyond your grasp. He is a liar you know. God’s riches may certainly include stuff and material things but that is the least of it. His greatest blessings and riches are His peace and joy and love. Rich or poor, they are available to all who put their hope and trust in Jesus and what He accomplished at Calvary. These things are obtained by faith. Faith in God and His Word. Don’t let Satan steal from you. Just let God be God. Rely upon Him, trust Him and if you will obey His Word, these blessings and more shall be yours. It’s up to you. Some people think the Bible says that the blessings of God and yea and amen. It does not say that. The Bible says that these blessings are for those that are “in Him”.

2Co 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.  That’s quite different. God holds Himself accountable for what He said, not for what I thought he said.

Happy New Year!

Maranatha!