FORGE NOT THE FORMER THINGS, DO NOT DWELL IN THE PAST, SEE I AM DOING A NEW THING, NOW IT SPRINGS UP; DO YOU NOT PERCEIVE IT, I AM MAKING A WAY IN THE DESERT, AND STREAMS IN THE WASTE LANDS. lSA.43:18-19.
There is nothing to spark one's interest like something that's new. There is always that promise of its being something better than the old, the intrigue of new fearures and functions, the appeal of its new design. It is upon this very concept that the wheels of commerce revolve. Ask the guy present here, for many it is the appeal of the latest model car, motorbike or pleasure boat, or even computer, or gadgets, new toys. For the Ladies it may be the latest clothing line or a newly acquired household appliance, or time saving device. we certainly cannot forget the kids, how they look forward to those new clothes and toy. How anxious they are to show them off to their friends. Thank: God for Christmas, a convenient time and excuse to indulge one' s self in those' New' things. For others it may be a new home, a new addition to the family, a precious baby, a new career, or the start of a new life, in its varied forms.

With a new year, it is more than merely the cordial wish of "HAPPY .NEW YEAR," indeed! We will love that it be so, but there is something that haunts our very thoughts. What does it portend? Would I face the same challenges as those of last year? These are the apprehensions that detract from the excitement of the New Year, being as long lived as it should be. Ask someone by the 1st Feb. How are things going? You get the response, 'the “same old same old." That is precisely the problem; you have brought some or all of the worthless old into the new, thereby corrupting it. Listen up! The Good Lord has given you a New Year, and all that is required to make it a blessed, victorious and prosperous one. The choice is yours. THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE, I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT. PS-1187:24.

Beginnings are very important, and require meticulous care. The allure, and grandeur of a completed work is always fascinating, but the foundation and infrastructure are hardly ever in plain sight, although without them., they render the entire project worthless. JESUS spoke about a foolish man who built his house on sand. Matt. 7:26. We all can recount the disastrous consequences, everything just crashed. This is synonymous to our lives. We are to build this year 2010, one day at a time. It must not be built with mere wishes and may-be's, it must be built on Jesus Christ who is our rock, our foundation and cornerstone. As Believers we do not entrust our future to LUCK or Chance. We do not attempt to peer into the future, by consulting psychics, astrology, clairvoyance, soothsayers, witches and the like, demonic agents. We put our trust in the Living God. W e put our faith in Him and entrust our every moment to His Devine leading. “You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isa. 26.3 .”But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him." Jer. 17:5.

The Bible very appropriately begins with “In the Beginning God" Gen.1:1.No philosophical apologetic, no argument or debate requiring some consensus of opinion to validate His existence, God's existence, simply the dogmatic axiomatic declaration, . In The Beginning God.” Take it or leave it, that will not negate the fact of the existence of God. I like the way the book of Hebrews states it. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: 0For he who come to God must believe that He is, and the He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" Heb. 11 :6. Those first four opening words of the Bible speak volumes. They tell me that without Him, (God) there is no Beginning , and then in the Book of Revelation it further states the He (God) is the Beginning and the End, the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega. May I suggest to you this morning, you need to begin this New Year with God, have Him guide your every step of life's way from January to December and you'll be guaranteed a wonderful and successful conclusion to this year, 2010.

Our opening text, stated, "Forget not the former things, do not dwell in the past." Isa. 43:18. We are to reflect on the former things that God has done for us in the past. This helps us to maintain our humility, gratitude and thankfulness. Remembering what God has done tor us, results in spontaneous praise and worship. But we are also admonished not to dwell in the past. Dwelling in the past stultifies growth, and causes us to lose out on the current blessing God desires to shower upon us. Do you remember Peter, when he said, "lets go fishing.” He was denying the great call and purpose Jesus had for his life, and as with Peter, neither will it work, or bring you any satisfaction. Peter fished all night and caught nothing. He came up empty. Just like most of us, coming up empty, accomplishing nothing. God says, " I AM MAKING A WAY IN THE DESERT, AND STEAMS IN THE WASTE LANDS.” JER. 43:19. When we think of the ills of our society, the near collapse of the economy, The unbalanced ecology, the inhumanity, the immorality. the human depravity, the ungodliness, the fear that grips and pervades the nations, we can understand the desert prophet is speaking about. Thank God He said he will make a way in the desert, and streams in the wastelands of our existence. God promises to renew even the most parched spirit, using the metaphor of the desert, which He will flood and fill with His life giving water. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Paul said, “Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth for those things which are before, I press toward to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” Phil. 3:i3-14. This bespeaks a life with a plan, purpose, direction, and conscious determination. There were many things Paul was not proud of in his past life, literally many skeletons were in his closet, ( I could think of Stephens's) but with the help of God he was not taking them into his future. He affirmed, "forgetting those thing which are behind. I reach forth .... to God in Christ.” If you are tired of making a mess of your life, year after year, after year, this morning you can break that unproductive and frustrating cycle, and enter into the "New Thing" God desires to do for you. The Lord further states, "FOR I KNOW HE PLANS I HA VE FOR YOU", DECLARES THE LORD, "PLANS TO PROSPER AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU A HOPE AND A FUTURE.” Jer. 29:11

Will you co-operate with God's plan for your life? 1 charge you, I can assure you, there'll be no rest or peace, no Good Success unless and until you surrender to God's Will. God wants to make something beautiful and productive of your life.

Something Beautiful, Something Good,
All my confusion, He understood,
All I had to offer Him was brokeness and strife
But He made something
Beautiful of my life. ( Gaither)