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New Year, New You!

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We have just completed the first week of the new year! Congratulations! You are on your way to a prosperous year. This year holds so much possibility and opportunities that it’s exciting to get going and to get moving. Today I want to encourage you live this year with a positive expectation, knowing that God has great plans in store for you. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, “for I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” This year can be the most incredible year of your life, but you first have to decide that in your mind.

Too many times people make new year’s resolutions, set goals for the new year. All of that is fine and exciting but the real challenge comes in making up your mind that this year will not be a repeat of last year. You have to decide ahead of time that you will not fall back into the same old habits of the previous years. You have to decide upfront that this year will be your best year ever. You have to decide that in spite of all the tests and trials that this year may bring, that you will still remain steadfast and immovable. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:2, to be “transformed by the renewing of our mind.” It’s not until that we renew our mind when our life will begin to move into the direction that God is trying to take us. We don’t know what this year holds but we know Who holds this year! We know that we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. We know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

This year can be the best year of your life or just a repeat of last year. You have the power to decide.

Wishing you well in 2017!

~Ofelia Lawrence

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Happy New Year!!!

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Happy New Year to you and your family! I pray that 2017 brings you all the joy, peace, and love that your deserve. Two of my favorite scriptures are from 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” I love this scripture because it tells us that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. You have a clean slate. You have a fresh new start. Imagine that! January 1st marks the beginning  of a new year and the beginning of fresh ideas, new goals, and new beginnings. It doesn’t matter what you did in 2016. You can be made new in Christ in 2017! That’s something to shout about!!! The Bible says that “all things have become new!” That gives me hope in knowing that no matter what mistakes I made in the past, God has redeemed me and chosen me and loves me with an everlasting love!

Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14, “…but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to this things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” One translation says, “….but I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.”

I want to encourage you on this 1st day of the year, to forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead for you in this New Year! God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we could dare to ask or think! Stop looking back and focusing on what you didn’t do in 2016 and begin to focus on what is possible for 2017! With God, ALL things are POSSIBLE!

I wish you the best in 2017 and know that we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us!

God Bless You!
~Ofelia

 

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End of Year Reflection

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As we prepare to close out another year, I wanted to take some time to reflect on 2016. It is so important to set some time to reflect on this past year. Take a close look at your life to see what were some celebrations, cheers, and achievements you accomplished in 2016. Don’t forget to count the trials, obstacles, and setbacks that you had to endure as well. Everything in life will either make you one of two things: bitter or better. I hope 2016 has made you better!

Here are a few questions to consider while reflecting:

  1. What goals did you accomplish this year?
    • What did you do to accomplish those goals?
  2. What did you fail to accomplish this year?
    • What kept you from achieving your goals?
  3. What are you most thankful for this year?
  4. What are you most proud of this year?
  5. What are you going to improve for the new year?
  6. What is one new habit that you will form in the coming new year?
  7. What was the hardest lesson you learned this year?
  8. How did you grow this year?
  9. What one area of your life needs the most improvement?
  10. What distractions do I need to remove from my life to be successful?
  11. Who do I need to forgive?
  12. How can I be kind to myself or how can I take better care of myself?

 

These are just a few questions I like to use when doing my end of year reflection. I hope that you too will take the time to reflect and set new goals for the coming year.

Wishing you the best in 2017!

~Ofelia Lawrence