With a new year comes new opportunities; for growth, change, and the choice to turn to the Lord and live the life that He has destined for you. It is never too late or too early to serve Jesus, and to become the person you are meant to be. A new year brings new possibilities. Giving each of us the chance to make New Year’s resolutions. Seeing them through, and allowing true change to take root. The Bible says; “All have fallen short of the glory of God.” This means there are no perfect people in the world. Each person needs to receive the life changing love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Recognizing this is the first step to change.
There is a saying that says there is a God shaped hole in every heart; a void in each person that can not be filled, but by Him and Him alone. Many people don’t want to give their lives to Jesus because they are afraid. They feel that to give their lives into His hands means the loss of their power and control. The truth is, when you surrender your heart to Him it is the first step in gaining your life and taking back what the enemy has stolen from you. The Bible says; “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
Does this mean that in Christ Jesus life will be perfect? No, this means that when trials and tribulations come He will be there to help you, to lead you, and to keep you strong. The Bible says in Matthew 7:23-27; “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
A perfect example of this can be found in the life of the Apostle Paul, who was originally Saul of Tarsus. He was a man who hated the followers of Jesus. The Bible describes that he imprisoned them and persecuted them unto death. One day when Saul was on his way to imprison more Christians, the Lord Jesus appeared to him and confronted him. The Bible says that light from Heaven flashed around Saul and as he fell to the ground he heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul asked “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord replied “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
This supernatural encounter with the Lord caused Saul of Tarsus to become blind for three days, and it was the catalyst that led him to later become the Apostle Paul. He turned his heart to Jesus, found repentance, and began preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. His life was transformed. He turned away from the ways of the world and the evil that had consumed him. Saul’s life had previously been built on the sand and because of this he had a great fall. Once he ceased striving against God though, he began to build his house on the rock. This is a perfect example that no matter who you are, what you have done, or how you view yourself; Jesus loves you and He is waiting for you to give your heart fully to Him. It is in this that you can begin to build your life on the rock and stand strong through the trials of life.
The waves of life are inevitable, but with Jesus Christ as your head you can make it through unscathed. The Lord sees in advance the pitfalls and stumbling blocks the devil has plotted out for each person or family. It is because of this that He will come and warn us from a far. At times this warning will come through a servant of God, through His Word, or in many other ways. It is up to each of us to take notice, listen to Him, and obey Him. If one does not listen, then when the waves come, a fall is inevitable. Not because it is the heart of God for people to be hurt or destroyed, but because when they do not listen to Him, they give the devil access to wreak havoc on their lives. The Bible says; “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The Lord Jesus Christ is real and the devil is real also; but God is bigger, stronger, and more powerful than the enemy. If God’s people stay close to Him; there is nothing they can’t achieve, no mountain they can’t climb, and no storm they can’t weather.
It is through accepting Jesus into your life, listening to His voice, and obeying Him that you can build your house on the rock. With so much uncertainty in the world, there is no better time then now to look to Jesus and ask Him for help. This does not make you weak to admit that you do not have all the answers. This actually makes you strong. The Bible says; “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). To be meek means coming before the Lord with a repented and humble heart, and acknowledging your need for Him in your life. It is in this that you will find strength, peace, and the rock on which you can build your house. This way, when the waves of the world come to knock you down, you will stand. You can start by praying this prayer aloud to Him;
Dear Lord Jesus,
I ask that You would forgive me of my sins and wash me clean with Your blood. I welcome You into my heart Lord Jesus. I acknowledge You as my Savior, and I know I need You in my life. I welcome the Holy Spirit, Your Presence, to transform my life and help me to stand through every storm in life. Help me to build my house upon the Rock of Jesus Christ. I entrust all that is mine into Your hands.
In Jesus Name I Pray,
Amen
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