A NEW YEARS MESSAGE FROM PASTOR TODD

Todd Christopherson
Mid American Stock Car Series
December 29, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

It is that time of year. We are setting goals and making resolutions. Goals like five wins, tens wins, a championship, no DNF’s, build a new car… Maybe goals like stopping smoking, losing 10 pounds, or improving our marriage… Maybe on a spiritual level - to get to church, join a Bible study, or attend a conference…

It is a time of year we call for a “do over”, a “start over”. Of course, it usually does not work because we are trying to do it on our own, in our own strength, and when the times get tough we revert backwards to our old ways. There is a way to truly have a change in our life, it is called revival. We have to call out to God and allow Him to change us.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 "26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."

We do have to do it His way, 1-confess our sin; 2-desire to change; 3-repent, that is turn from our sin; 4-live in obedience. I am speaking of after salvation - this process continues as we seek revival and a daily, on-going relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit desires to refine us and draw us close to the Father.

God desires to give us a new heart and spirit. A heart that is pleasing and obedient to Him. A heart that trust and lives by faith in what He can and will do. As we look at the year ahead, we can live in the past or we can give the year to God and move towards Him. He wants us to set our heart, soul and strength on and in Him - Him alone. He is a jealous God in that He wants first place because He and He alone is completely deserving of first place in our life.

1 Peter 1:9 "for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." Make it your New Years goal to trust in the LORD.

Have you placed Him first? Do you depend on Him completely? Do you look to His Word and pray on all things? Are you new, revived? Do you need a “do over”, a “fresh start”? That can happen if you are earnest in seeking Him, not as a gimmick or for happiness but to honor God.

I pray your focus would be on God and you would draw near to Him in 2011. Pray and hope for you and me to "see God increase and I must decrease" as John the Baptist said in John 3:30.

Have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,

Todd