As we approach the end of another year, we always want a fresh start and hope for the future.
Most of us have seen a New Year’s Eve ball officially proclaiming, “Throw away the old and bring in the new.” At midnight, people around the world celebrate turning the next page of their lives. Over the years, the “Time Ball” has undergone several changes to its design, the latest being created by Waterford Crystal for the 2000 Millennial Celebration. It is a geodesic sphere that is 6 feet in diameter and weighs approximately 1,070 pounds. It is covered with a total of 504 crystal triangles of different sizes, each with a special name. Hope for love, peace, wisdom, unity, courage and healing. What is the name of the ball itself? “Star of Hope”.
Having hope is great because believing that everything will be fine is a positive and optimistic attitude.
But there is a difference between wishing and knowing. Time balls may be called the Star of Hope, but Jesus Christ, the Son of God, not only came to bring hope, he is literally our only hope.
This means that we have no hope that Jesus will be the one who died for us, or the promise of eternal life, unless He is our Lord and Savior. When we are born again and become children of God, we are given a kind of hope to rest in the reality that God is the absolute truth and that all that He has promised will come true. When He declares that not only will He redeem us, but that we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven, we will have blessed assurances that mean more than any dream or aspiration the world can offer. Christ in us is the glorious hope as we surrender our will to God in the reality that we know Him as our Eternal Spiritual Father.
If you’ve been feeling stressed lately and your prayer life is recognizing more negative resistance than usual, congratulations, you’re perfectly normal. A lot of it is my fault. No one is forcing you to watch TV, play games, or get hooked on social media.
stay focused on Christ
We need to understand that living a holy and obedient life before God is hard enough without denying the responsibility of staying seriously focused. A quick glance at the headlines reveals a lot of strange things happening in the world. Do you often ask me about my thoughts on Bible prophecies, including the topic of the Rapture and the Tribulation? Let’s just say that we are acting according to God’s perfect will. A wise decision is to try to get as close to God as we can.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: Do not rely on your own understanding. and he will guide your way. ” When thinking about New Year’s resolutions, this verse defines how we should allow God to be Lord and King of who we are and what we do and say. Fundamental to being a Christian is inviting God to rule and own us.
There are many individuals and families going through all kinds of hardships. Whatever our crises, disappointments, worries, or fears, nothing takes precedence over consideration of our spiritual relationship with the Lord. Our Creator longs to be your best friend, so He has given everyone an invitation to come to Him.
This coming year is filled with endless possibilities and the Lord is waiting for you to accept Him as the Lord and Master of your life! It’s time. He loves you more than anything and has a lot to reveal to you.
II Corinthians 6 reminds us: “Behold, now is the hour of acceptance; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
As a messenger, I never say anything more important than that today is the perfect time to accept God’s grace and mercy and give your life to Him wholeheartedly.
Dr. Billy Holland is an ordained pastor, community pastor, and Christian author. For more information about God and Christian life, visit billyhollandministries.com.
