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Growing In God with Gary Hargrave


Jan 3, 2024

Web Description: At the end of every year, whether it is by making resolutions or having parties, we try to cope with our anxiety over the fact that we do not know what the new year will bring, and we have absolutely no control over it. I want to have a different approach this year. I want the Scriptures to minister an assurance and a faith that carries us through into the future. We do not control it, but God does. And we know that in Christ He will freely give us everything we need to go through the days ahead.

 

Show Notes: It can be hard for us as humans to face a new year, not knowing what that new year will bring to us. It confronts the part of us that does not like to feel out of control or unsure of things. The fact that we cannot know or control our future is kind of scary for us. But the Scriptures can give us a sense of certainty and hope as we anticipate the new year. We may not know what will happen from day to day; we may not be in control; but we do know the things that are established for us in the Word of God.

 

We read in Jeremiah that God has a plan for our welfare to give us a future and a hope. We are not in this world with no plan. According to Romans 8, God has predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. What better plan could there be for our lives? Therefore, we know one thing with certainty about what will happen in the coming year. We will become more and more like Yeshua (Jesus). This next year we will be in a process of being conformed to His image.

 

Live according to His Word. You may face difficulties. But trust that you are called according to His purpose, and He will cause all things to work for your good. You may face persecution. But who can bring a charge against God’s elect since God is the one who justifies? This age may try to come against you, but God is the One who is for you. Who then can effectively come against you? Read and study these Words from God until they are so real in your heart that nothing can cause you to let go of them as you move through this year.

 

Key Verses:

 

       Ecclesiastes 8:7. “If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?”

       Proverbs 27:1. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

       James 4:13–15. “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.”

       Romans 8:28–31. “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God.”

       1 John 4:17. “As He is, so also are we in this world.”

       John 17:22. “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them.”

       Romans 8:32–39. “Who will separate us from the love of Christ?”

       Jeremiah 29:11. “I know the plans that I have for you … to give you a future and a hope.”

 

Quotes:

 

       “We may not know the future. But God does. He has this year planned out for you. And it's filled with hope. It's filled with His presence, His glory.”

       “We may face difficult days. We may face difficult months. But He is with us. He has called us. And His glory is resting upon us and moving within us as we are being conformed to the image of the Son.”

       “Sit and wait upon the Lord until His love for you is something that just blows you away, and it is without question in your heart and mind that He loves you.”

 

Takeaways:

 

1.    The Scriptures point to the fact that we cannot predict future events or think we can know what a day will bring. But that does not mean we are to be fearful of the future. The Word also expresses the reality of what we have in God and what His plan is for us. Therefore, we can look forward with hope and certainty to a future that He has created for us.

2.    Many times we are faced with fear and concern for a new year because we do not know what it holds. So we try to party away whatever fears we might have. But read Romans 8:38–39. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Nothing! Those verses are better than any resolution we can make or any party we can throw to try to make ourselves feel good about the coming year.

3.    How do we want to begin this new year? We begin it with a focus on the Lord. We bring our lives before Him and say, “You are the Lord. You are the King. You are the One who is in control of our lives. We dedicate our lives to You. We dedicate each day to You for Your will for us, Your will for this planet, and Your Kingdom on this earth.” That is how we approach this new year.