It’s time for a fresh start

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”

Our Bible verse for today: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:13-14 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “It’s time for a fresh start”

So, how was 2024 as a year for you? Hopefully you experienced many blessings along with great joy, and you had many meaningful accomplishments. But if you are like most of us (and you are), then the year also included its share of pain and sorrow, failures and regrets as well. Knowing what you know now, if you could go back and live the year again would you change some things and hopefully create some different outcomes? Of course you would. We all would.

The bad news is that we can’t. There is no going back, there is only moving forward. (Well, okay, there is also the option of remaining where you are but that would be the equivalent of being stuck in the mud or mired in quicksand – and nobody wants to live like that.) In terms of approaching life with a positive, forward-looking attitude that will help us to be successful, there is no going back, only forward.

That’s the issue Paul was addressing in Philippians 4:13-14. There was plenty in his past that he regretted and that he would change if he could. But he couldn’t. The past was past and he couldn’t have it back. What he did have was the present moment and the hope of tomorrow. Therefore, he resolved to shake off the past, live fully in the present, and move forward into the future.

January 1^st is only a day on the calendar but still, it has great symbolic meaning and it has the potential to motivate us in positive ways. It is the beginning of a new year and it is a great time to get a fresh start. So, for the rest of this month and then on through January, we will think about how we can move forward into 2025 with intentionality and purpose – setting clear goals, making good plans, and then sticking with it.

I hope you are looking forward with eagerness and anticipation to getting a fresh start in 2025.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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