“10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:10-14)

Introduction: Some things we need to FORGET, like our old sins! But some things we need to REMEMBER. We need to REMEMBER where we are going, who we are, and what Jesus has done in us, and has promised to do through us.

1. Who we are in Christ! (Eph 1:3-7)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

Certainly, we have a NEW IDENTITY in Jesus Christ. Therefore we have a NEW SECURITY in Him.

2. Where are we going? (Heb 13:14)

“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”

The New Jerusalem is in the future for all believers in Jesus Christ (see Rev 21,22).

3. What has Jesus done? (Col 2:13-15)

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Praise the Lord! Some people’s religion is… Do. But for the CHRISTIAN it’s… Done by Jesus. Now that does not mean passivity on the part of believers. Instead, it means cooperation under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Introduction: What will 2023 hold? We do not know. But we do know Jesus holds 2023! 

Check out the New Me in 2023:

1. The Brand New Will in 2023! (2Cor 1:1)

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:”

The word “will” means desire. God has a desire for us. Do you know His will? More importantly. Are you doing His will? Some things are spelled out in Scripture. Some are not. Are you walking in His will?

2. The Brand New Strength in 2023! (2Cor 1:3-5)

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

Praise the Lord! Our “Hurts” are turned into God’s “Healing” and then we in turn we “Help” others. 

3. The Brand New Faith & trust in 2023! (2Cor 1:9)

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.”

Did you notice that Paul said “trust in the Lord”? Our faith is in Him not in ourselves. We are limited but He is unlimited!

4. The Brand New Victory in 2023! (2Cor 1:10)

“Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.”

Victory is in Jesus! He’s victorious, therefore we are victorious in Him.

5. The Brand New Prayer Power in 2023! (2Cor 1:11)

“Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.”

Do you need your prayer life to go to another level? Why not dedicate yourselves to this most important calling? If you will, you (we) will discover a whole new dimension of usefulness for our Lord’s glory. 

6. The Brand New Grace in 2023! (2Cor 1:12)

“For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”

Grace for the Race is in Place! From root to fruit, it’s all by His GRACE.

7. The Brand New Destiny & Security in 2023! (2Cor 1:21-23)

“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”

Filled and Sealed.

The New You? Did you know we’ve been “sealed”? That is why we need to be “filled.” 

Conclusion: All of this and more is ours in 2023. Think about it. Rejoice over it. Look forward to it. And remember, give God the glory!

“Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.”

(Psa 65:11)

Introduction: What a great Bible verse! From January 1st to December 31st, the Lord “crowns” it with His GOODNESS. 

The word “crown” is : עָטַר, : (aw-tar’), which means to surround. In other words, the Lord surrounds the year. That means from Winter time to Spring, Summer, and Fall, He crowns it. 

1. This Psalm magnifies the God of CREATION.

He feeds the birds, clothes the lilies, and provides our daily bread.

His eyes run throughout the whole earth. He reigns on His throne in the heavens. Check out the highest mountain and the deepest sea. What about the sun that warms the earth? It rotates on its axis without the slightest degree of error. The moon was placed into the sky along with trillions of stars. 

God’s beauty is demonstrated every day and night. He has numbered and named all the stars (Psa 147:3-5).

“He heals the brokenhearted

And binds up their [e]wounds.

4He counts the number of the stars;

He [f]gives names to all of them.

5Great is our Lord and abundant in strength;

His understanding is [g]infinite.”

This is Undeniable evidence of a mighty God! This should even convince the stubborn atheist. 

2. The Lord God made us! (Psa 8:4-6)

“4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet.”

The Lord made us to rule but be dependent upon Him. Because He is all wise, all knowing, and all powerful, we need Him!

There’s no God like our God!

3. Time, Space and Matter was created by God! (Gen 1:1)

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Jesus Christ created it all!

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Col 1:16-17)

Did you notice that Jesus made it and is holding it together?

Conclusion: We serve the God of CREATION! He is the God of our SALVATION! Therefore,  He is worthy of all EXALTATION!

Introduction: Do you set goals? Someone has well said, “if we aim at nothing, we are sure to hit it”! Here are some reachable and reasonable goals for 2023:

1. Resist evil in your heart! (Prov 4:23)

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Put a guard on your heart.

2. Renew your mind! (Rom 12:1,2)

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

The battle is fought and won in the mind.

3. Redeem the time! (Eph 5:16)

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Time is ticking. Make the best use of it.

4. Reach out with the Good News! (Matt 28:18-20)

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

This is the good news! Jesus lives!! Jesus saves!!! Go tell it!!!!

5. Run the race of holiness! (Heb 12:1-3)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

This life of holiness is like a race. Don’t look back, keep going forward.

6. Release unforgiveness! (Eph 4:32)

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Hold on to bitterness or let it go!

7. Remember Jesus is coming again! (1Thess 4:13-18)

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

Jesus will come again. Are you ready?

1. This is for those who Walk in the TRUTH of God’s Word! (3 John 3-4)

“For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

2. Once walking in TRUTH, then make this a prayer. (3 John 2)

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

Introduction: How should we pray in the New Year? Let’s look at the model prayer of Jesus.

1. Focus on Who to pray to! (Matt 6:9)

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

Thank God we have a Heavenly Father who knows our needs.

2. Focus on How to pray! (Matt 6:10)

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

When Jesus brings His Kingdom there will be PEACE. Even so come, Lord Jesus.

3. Focus on What to pray! (Matt 6:11-13)

“11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”

We need the Lord daily. Do you take time to pray daily? Why not start?

Conclusion: Don’t forget to end your prayer by saying….

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matt 6:13)

Good news. His Kingdom rules!

Introduction: No doubt the New Year will bring New Challenges, New Opportunities, and New Breakthroughs. What are you praying? How should we pray? How should we prepare? Are we supposed to exercise faith?

1. Pray Now. (James 4:2,3)

“… yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

Our Lord invites us to pray and trust Him. Are you? What are you praying? Who are you praying for? What should you be praying?

2. Plan Now. (James 4:13-15)

“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”

The New Year (2023) may hold some challenges that we need to plan for beforehand (even though we do not know what they are). It pays to pray beforehand and it pays to plan beforehand; i.e. financially, relationally, etc.

3. Patience Now. (James 5:7)

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”

Pass the patience please! Now!! Interruptions. Changes. Disappointments. Setbacks….etc. Patience needed!

4. Prepare Now. (James 5:8,9)

“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”

At the end of the day, as well as the beginning of the day, prepare for Jesus Christ to return for His Church. Are you watching? Waiting? Worshipping? Witnessing?

Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote,

Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart, and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ was born to-day:
Ox and ass before Him bow,
And He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today.

2. Listen to the second stanza:

Introduction: God with us….Immanuel. This was the message that the angel announced to Joseph. Matthew’s gospel confirms it. 

1. What did this mean to Joseph? (Matt 1:20-23)

“20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Of course this was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

Even though this was predicted over seven hundred years before the event, it was fulfilled during the New Testament times. No doubt Joseph was relieved to hear this! Are you?

2. What does this mean to us today? (Matt 1:20-23)

“20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

This means God is with us…
* in good times
* in bad times
* in sickness
* in health
* in trials
* in temptations
* in life
* in death

Conclusion: Having studied this subject, check out what Paul wrote:

“31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Rom 8:31-32)

Introduction: Have you ever heard of this term? What does it mean? How does it fit into the CHRISTmas message. All of these questions will be answered in this devotion.

1. Where do we find this term? (Micah 4:8)

“8And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.”

Micah the prophet uses this phrase “tower of the flock” to describe the building that was used by the shepherds.

מִגְדָּל: (mig-dawl’): a tower

עֵדֶר: (ay’-der), which means a flock, or a herd