Ringing In The New Year

Matthew 6: 33 – 34, But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. NKJV

Can you believe it? Another year has quickly passed; it’s almost 2014! In order to put into perspective how fast time is passing, we can look back and see that it has been 14 years, or 5,110 days, or 122,640 hours since Y2K. It certainly doesn’t seem like it, does it? The Apostle James made a valid assessment when he spoke of this life as being a vapor. 

During the last week of December, people generally reflect over the year that has passed, and then evaluate whether their lives have improved or worsened as a result of their decisions. This time of reflection will cause many to consider making much-needed changes in an attempt to improve their lives over the coming year. We call these determinations for change “New Year’s Resolutions.”

However, if our own personal reflection isn’t enough to provoke us to want to better ourselves, we have television commercials that eagerly jump on the “band wagon” with suggestions to help us desire change. Between weight loss and fitness equipment advertisements, we seem to be inundated with “subtle” hints that we might need to slim down and shape up for the New Year.

As you prepare to make your New Year’s resolutions, please consider a suggestion that can help you successfully keep your commitments and obtain the goals you aim for in 2014. Seek God’s kingdom first, then write down your resolutions and look at them daily so that you can hold yourself accountable to them.

Secondly, prayerfully consider joining World Harvest Church North as we dedicate the first three weeks of 2014 to seeking the presence of God and drawing closer to the Lord. Every year, we as a local church body begin the year with a fast unto the Lord. In addition, we set time aside to enter our prayer closets and ask for the Lord to guide our steps in the coming year. When we put God first in the New Year, it releases His power to aid us so that we can personally accomplish those things we have determined in our hearts to change.

Many people in past years have been excited to join our church in the yearly fast. Nonetheless, the question that most of them ask is, “What type of fast are you keeping?” I will tell you, as I have already instructed WHCN. You pray and ask the Lord what He would have you to fast and then follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. However, most are participating in the “Daniel Fast.” There is great information on the Internet that can help you with the details of the Daniel Fast.

If you are under a Doctor’s order to keep a particular diet, please stay under your physician’s instructions. If you can’t fast food, then you can fast something else, or certainly set aside more time to be in prayer for His will to be done on earth. We all can do our part to make 2014 better. I personally invite you to join us on January 2, 2014, as we begin our 21 days of fasting and prayer.

We have seen many miracles in our church body and in individuals who have watched our services on our Cyber Church website this past year. Hebrews 11:6 says that God will reward those who diligently seek Him (Paraphrased). If you would like to be a part of the 2014 fast, please email us at prayer@whcnorth.org and let us know. We will include you in our prayers, for God to give you direction and strength.

May God Richly Bless You in 2014,
Pastor Asa Dockery