CONQUERING A NEW LAND

Earlier generations of Americans had vast frontiers to explore and conquer.  Their persistence and courage have made our country what it is today.  We don’t have the same frontiers, but we do have tests facing us.  One of our challenge lies in navigating through 2018, a place no one has ever gone before.  We face it one day at a time, one obstacle at a time.

We did the same thing 365 days ago when we entered 2017.  How did you do in 2017?  What were your greatest victories?  Which were your worst defeats?  What would you do differently if you could do 2017 over again?  What can you learn from 2017 to make the challenge of 2018 more attainable?

Will 2018 be a good year for you?  Of course it will, because God is in charge of it and uses all things for good (Romans 8:28).  But that doesn‘t guarantee it will be an easy year.  We know God will be glorified no matter what, but if we have victories or defeats is up to us.  We can cut down on defeats and eliminate regrets if we learn from the past.  We can’t change what happened in 2017 but we do have 2018 ahead of us to do with as we choose.  Let’s live so that in 365 days, when we look back on 2018, we can see a year lived for the glory of Jesus!

Joshua 1:7-9 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Thank God for your victories in 2017.  Ask Him to help you learn from your experiences.  Dedicate yourself, and 2018, to Him for His glory.  Ask Him to help you as you begin to conquer this new land He has for you.