BY PASTOR DOUG BATCHELOR

As the New Year begins, most of us long for a fresh start in our lives. Countless numbers of individuals make resolutions about how the new year will bring great change, but the challenge comes when those resolutions fail. As Christians, we have the opportunity to make a new start each day—with the grace of Christ to help us when we fall short of our own expectations or His.

We find assurance in God’s Word, knowing that He will do this work in our lives: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them” (Ezekiel 36:26, 27). While we can never measure up on our own, God offers us everything we need—a new heart and His Holy Spirit to give us the power to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

This new life is only available to us because of the great sacrifice Christ made on Calvary’s cross. That incredible gift of heaven allows God to be just and, at the same time, “through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever” (Hebrews 13:20, 21).

God has been working since before the foundation of our world, giving us every opportunity to enjoy the blessings of His redeeming love. He freely offers us everything we need, all He asks of us is that we accept His gracious work in our lives and share with others the blessings we have received.