Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. 2025 is upon us. I hope you had a wonderful 2004 and are looking forward to an even greater 2025. If you find yourself struggling with difficulties, if there are burdens weighing you down, I pray you will surrender them to Jesus. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Jesus’ invitation is to “learn” from him. In other words, his calling is to all who will accept him and trust in him. If you do that, he promises you rest and peace. What we all need in the middle of our struggles is more of Jesus and less of ourselves. John 15:13 – says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” You will not find a better friend than Jesus.
As 2025 rolls in, what are you going to do to ensure you “learn” or trust more in God? One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your families is the gift of Jesus. You can learn to love like he loves. You can learn to surrender your burdens to him. You can worry a little less. You can serve like he served. You can commit to never giving up. Oh, you can be assured there will be difficulties in this life. But that doesn’t have to rule the day. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-14, “12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
“If 2024 wasn’t all you wanted it to be. Do as the Apostle Paul says, “forget about the past and press on toward your goal.” Press on to becoming what God has called you to be. Nick Saban once said, “undisciplined people do dumb things, and disciplined people do smart things.” He goes on to explain, there will be days when you don’t want to go to the gym, but disciplined people go because they know the only way they will achieve their goal is to be disciplined.
As 2025 rolls in, have you made any plans to increase your commitment to God? When you look forward don’t forget to be disciplined in your efforts to include God. To carve out time for Him. To include him in your activities. If you lack discipline, you will fail to achieve your goal. With the new year closing in, how are you purposely planning to increase your walk with God? There will be competing obstacles screaming for your attention. The enemy will not leave you alone. Putting God first, will not happen without a conscience effort. Undisciplined people make stupid decisions. Remember, you can’t change the past, but you can help shape your future by the decisions you make going forward.
