By Pastor Tom Beutler, Watson and Hamburg Baptist Churches

Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” 2018 is over. 2019 still has over 50 weeks of this New Year! God was here during all of 2018. He will be here during every second of 2019. The Christian life is a life of faith. This means we have the ability to see and understand the things that are in God’s heart, the things he wants us to have in our lives. 

When we walk in a sense of his presence, we are able to face all problems, able to do what He wants us to do, and able to recognize opportunities that He gives us to help others. God’s word today is very simple. If we do not have faith it is impossible to please Him. God is with us in everything we do. He is there for us no matter what. When we do good things, He is there. When we do bad things, He is there. When we are scared, hurt, mad, sad, or full of joy, God is there. Isaiah 46:4 – “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” (Hoar hairs are gray hairs.) 

We all need to look back at 2018. We need to look back at the times we had faith that took away doubt, sin, or not believing. Look back and see how the hands of God were at work in your life. We need to thank Him for being there. We need to thank Him for all He did for us! Psalm 105:1 – “Oh give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people.” 

As we look at God in 2018 and see Him at work, we need to look back at our relationship with Him, family, and friends and look at all of the blessings he has given to us. We all probably see things in the past year that we failed in. If we are completely honest with God and ask for His help and forgiveness, He will give us a better attitude as we look at 2019. Acts 3:19 – “Repent ye therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” 

Look to 2019 with excitement, with the attitude that everything will be better. Look to 2019 through Jesus’ eyes, His love, His promise that He will always be with us. In every second of 2019 through all temptations, problems, sorrows, joys and faith, Jesus is our hope to get us through any circumstances. Through 2019, as we focus on Jesus, we will feel His presence and that will give us a deeper faith and that will help us move forward in every area of our lives. Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” 

In 2019 let us serve the Lord, let us serve people with love and compassion, let us help Jesus harvest souls and in doing so we will be getting closer to God. In John 4:35 Jesus says, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” Jesus is talking about souls. In Matthew 9:36-38 Jesus saw the multitudes and He was moved and said, “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labour are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.” Again, souls to harvest. Philippians 1:6 – “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Oh Lord! In 2019, Jesus will still be working on me and all of you. Because God will be with us, we can look to each day of the New Year with great anticipation and great faith to face whatever will come. Thank you God. In Jesus’ name, Amen!