Four purposes for the new year

Saturday, 09 January 2010 22:06

Introduction
It tells the story of a young pastor who accepted the call to a church. All were anxiously awaiting his first sermon, and was very good. All members congratulated him and went home happy.

However, upon reaching the church the following Sunday, were surprised to hear the same message they had heard the
Sunday. Some wanted to say something once a pastor, but others decided to wait - maybe it was just
I forgot.

The third Sunday, however, heard the same sermon - and deacons decided it was time to talk to him. They said
had given them the same sermon for three consecutive weeks, and then asked him when we go for a
sermon again? He answered: When you implement that and I preached.

The message contains some lessons tonight I have given before, but I think frankly that we have not yet implemented. So I shall repeat, speaking four resolutions for the new year.

There are many superstitions that relate to the new year. For example, some people go shopping to get
the cupboard filled the first day of the year. They believe this assures prosperity throughout the year.

There are people who open all doors of the house at midnight for the old year to go. Others try to
making much noise, thinking that this will frighten off evil spirits so they can not exert a negative influence
on the new year.

As believers, we know that the devil does not flee by the noise, but by prayer and spiritual strength. We know that
prosperity comes from God, not the day we do shopping. Our confidence must be placed in Him for the
New Year.

Instead of focusing on these things, our attention must be put on something else. In fact, the most important in the
life is being in communion with God. I do not think a thing, we open the doors of the house or turn the
fits into a suitcase - only exercise will. Rather, we should propose things that will bring us closer to God.

Today I would like to suggest four things we can do this year to get closer and deepen our relationship with Him

I. Spend time daily with God
There is nothing more important to our spiritual growth. Reading the Bible is the bread that nourishes our
soul, and prayer is the water that refreshes our spirit. If we are spending time daily with God, the fire of our
faith will begin to cool.

A great example of this reality is the prophet Daniel. Despite being in a foreign land, away from the temple of God,
his faith remained strong. He was able to witness to kings and princes of the greatness of God. Remained a powerful testimony in the midst of a pagan nation.

How did he do? Set aside time for God every day. Even in the face of danger, he continued to spend time in prayer. Everyone
know the story of how Daniel was delivered from the lion's den, but we sometimes forget why
he met there.

Let's see in Daniel 6:10-12:
6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, entered his house and open the windows of his house overlooking
toward Jerusalem, he kneeled three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.
6:11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and praying in the presence of God.
6:12 Then they came before the king and talked of the royal edict, Have you signed a decree that anyone who in the space of
thirty days to request any god or man except you, O king, is cast into the den of lions? The king answered
saying is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which can not be revoked.

The king had signed a decree that only he would receive the prayers of the people for thirty days. Daniel, however,
could not lead a man requests that only God should go, and could not stop spending time with God - even though
cost him.

We, like Daniel, we live amid a world that does not know our God. We face constant pressure
whom we want to get away from him, consciously or unconsciously. The Bible serves as spiritual food for us and is necessary to eat regularly.

Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that we will benefit from re-reading a passage. The truth is that we need to review and repeat things. The fingers of the potter will work through His Word to mold and shape according to his will.

As part of our time with God we must practice the second habit:

II. Confess your sins to God daily
The Bible itself tells us in 1 John 1:8-9:
1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

The way of life is cleansed of sin through confession.

Jesus taught his disciples that when he told them that it is clean do not need a bath, but only wash
feet. Through word of the gospel, we become clean. We need only clean our feet from the
dirt that collect on our walk through the world and its temptations.

We do this through confession. The Psalmist wrote: "While I was silent my sin, my body was consumed with my whine
throughout the day. "(Psalm 32:3) We confess our sin is good. It helps us to keep short accounts with God.

But I do not mean to do what many do, that is to say: God, forgive me if I have failed. This does not involve any direct recognition that we have sinned, and identifies the sin we have committed.

The Greek word that translates confess literally means the same thing. That is, when we confess
our sin to God, we see it the same way that He sees. It is necessary to identify the sin before God to confess. We have to name it before Him

We say, for example, Lord, I confess that today I got angry with my wife and I was rude to her. We must be
specific. Besides, if we have harmed another person, we must apologize and also, if possible, restitutuir the damage we have caused.

Once, a king was visiting a prison of his kingdom. Interview prisoners, and one by one
insisted they were innocent, who had done nothing to merit imprisonment. Finally got one that said
nothing.

The king asked: Why are you here? The man named his offense. He asked the king: Are you guilty? The man answered:
Yes, your majesty, I am. At once the king summoned the jailer and ordered him to drop immediately to the man who
had admitted his guilt. He said: I can not allow this man to stay here all guilty and corrupt innocent people around him.

When we acknowledge our sin before God, He also rescues us from the prison of guilt and bitterness. Not always deliver us from the consequences of our sin, but assures us that we're okay with Him daily confession is essential to walk in fellowship with God.

We turn now to the third practice.

III. Put God first in your finances
It has been said that you can learn more about a person watching your wallet or checkbook than any other
way. What we do with our money shows where our heart. If we put God first in our lives, He must reign over our use of money.

We see this principle in Proverbs 3:9-10.
3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, and with the firstfruits of all your crops;
3:10 And thy barns be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Under the law of Moses, the first fruits of the harvest belonged to God and offered as a sacrifice to Him This served to
support of the priests, but also to remind everyone that God gives the harvest.

When we give to God what we have too much at the end of the week, we show that plays a minor part
our hearts. The Bible teaches us another pattern: "Each one
as decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver. "(2 Corinthians 9:7)

Before God, we should propose to give some regular offering to the Lord, using the tithe as a minimum guide, and give that amount regularly, with joy. This serves to support the work of the Lord, but also serves as a reminder of who
receive the financial blessings we enjoy.

In addition to honoring God with the firstfruits of our income, so we honor when we are honest in our dealings with others. He is present in every deal we do, and if we take advantage of others, does not like.

We honor God when we live too happy with what He has given us, rather than aspire to get into debt and unnecessary things. The world tells us that happiness lies in having more, but it's a lie. The ambition is the path to destruction.

Do you know the difference between a window and a mirror? Only a light coat of silver. If you let the silver fill your view, not
you will see the glorious world that God has created, you can not see the others, only you will be yourself. To be free, put God
first in your finances. He has promised to supply your needs. Trust in Him

A final purpose:

IV. Reach someone for Christ
As standing water, our faith is not kept fresh if not shared. Before going to heaven, Jesus commanded those who
knew: "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). That is our task until he returns. There is
other important things in life, but the privilege of sharing the good news of Christ must be a priority for us.

Who could share Christ this year? Get to pray for your friends and family who do not know salvation and
ask God to give you the opportunity to share with them. Do not panic. The Spirit will give you the words at the moment
indicated. Trust in Him, and put at the disposal of the Lord.

Conclusion

What will this year again? Only God knows what will happen in the coming year. However, if we are to walk with Him, we are sure to enjoy his presence, his protection and peace.

The four purposes mentioned above can help us walk with Him Ask the Lord to help you walk in them, and relies on his help to live in victory.

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