Today is December 31, 2023, the last day of the year. We have covered a great deal of topics in our studies. The miracles Jesus performed took up most of the year. It was a great study and clearly shows us God’s intent and His will for the people. We can conclude that we are our own stumbling blocks when it comes to seeing God’s greatness in our life. There is no set formula for miracles to happen, the only common denominator is faith. Our studies proved it over and over again.

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

I am excited for this new year on some of the topics we will be studying. Below are a few that we will go into a more in-depth study over.

Sabbath and what it means to us today.

Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs!

What the Bible says happens after we die.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

As we go into the new year, let’s look at this verse.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 Often during this time of year, many people are starting their New Year’s resolution list. Statistics show that most are never kept. We are always wanting to start over, be fresh, change what and how we do things to better ourselves. I personally have never had a New Years resolution list. That list would require constant planning for the future, laying things out to try to stay constant on the list on the list. The Bible does tell us to do certain planning for the future, but not for ourselves but for our heirs.  Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: Jesus was very clear for us to take one day at a time.

Let’s look at Matthew 6 starting in verse 24.

(24) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (25) Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (26) Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (27) Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (28) And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: (29) and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (31)Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (34) Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Verse 33 is the key. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God”. That should be the only New Years goal we have. Everything else will fall into place. Jesus is talking to His disciples about ministry and what true wisdom is. This very much applies to us today. We put so much effort this time of year trying to better ourselves but try to do it they way the "gentiles do it”. God already know our desire, needs, wants. Etc…  He is waiting for us to be seeking Him. All these other things can and will take care of themselves with the help of God’ guidance. So, this year let 2^nd Corinthians 5:17 be our new motto. Old things are now passed away, all things are become new. Let’s seek God this year and every day will be like a NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year!