RobinLJPodcast#9HappyNewYear2024 (3)

The speaker reflects on the importance of starting the new year with a fresh perspective and a dedication to God. They encourage listeners to let go of the past and invite Jesus into their hearts. They share a prayer for salvation and emphasize the significance of being born again. The speaker also mentions the story of Nicodemus and how Jesus explained the concept of being born again to him. They emphasize that true happiness and eternal life can only be found in serving the one true God. The speaker concludes by reminding listeners of the importance of staying faithful to God and the promise of eternal life through Jesus. It always interests me to read biography stories and accounts of different people from all walks of life. Most of us have had humble beginnings, some have experienced extreme hard times, few have been born with a silver spoon in our mouth. Man has tried and tried again to save himself, but to no avail. We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. My former church affiliation senior pastor used to lead the congregation family into a prayer of thanksgiving, forgiveness, and rededication of our heart and spirit to the Lord God on the last Sunday of the year, entering into the new year. He would mention, as the world would put it, Happy New Year. He would challenge us and declare, Happy New You! When you say Happy New You, that puts things in perspective. All of last year's life's events, whether successful or failed, are behind us. Everyone should forget those things behind and start anew. Philippians chapter 3 verses 13-14 Paul's example to us, Brethren, I counted not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching, yes, reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The prophet Isaiah chapter 43 verse 18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Let's start the new year out right, so we can also declare and say Happy New You. There is no better time than now to invite this man called Jesus into your heart. Don't worry about your acquaintances, associations, and friends. You may have had an influence on your life, positive or negative, this past year. It's as simple as repeating this prayer with me now. Dear Jesus, I stop everything that I am doing right now. I am nothing without you and your love. I need a Savior and I cannot save myself from anything. Please come into my heart. I surrender everything to you. Forgive me all of my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you are the Son of God. I believe that you died for my sins and the sins of the whole world. I believe that you arose again on the third day with victory over death, hell, and the grave. Today I make you Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. If this is your first time saying a prayer like this, or if you know about Jesus and felt a need to rededicate your heart and life to him, that means you too. Welcome into the family of God. And now you are born again. Amen. You have formally made the best decision you could have ever made in your life. How do you feel right now? Truly, when I became saved, I felt an indescribable release from cares of this world. And you too, possibly light and free. I know you may even go around and tell everyone that you see that you love them. I mean, I know you love everybody, but you really, really love them. Amen. Let's reflect on the story of a Pharisee named Nicodemus, John chapter 3. Nicodemus can truly relate to many of us today. He was a ruler of the Jews, no doubt held a prestigious position amongst his people. One evening, he decided to inquire about the teachings of Jesus the rabbi. Nicodemus was no doubt intrigued about Jesus' ministry, the message, and the miracles he brought to those who would listen and receive. No one could do these miracles if God and heaven weren't with him, Nicodemus was thinking. Jesus said unto Nicodemus, Verily, verily, in Hebrew meaning, truly of a truth, so be it. I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus explained to Nicodemus what he needed to do to gain and have eternal life. Verse 16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. That's a very familiar scripture that you've heard before, but God means what he says. As history has shown, man's quest for finding happiness and eternal life has never been found serving other gods, small g, or things of this world. Other deities will always fall short of the glory of the only true God in heaven. God's gift to man, his Son, Jesus, took the punishment for everyone's past, present, and future sins. Jesus stood in the gap between man and himself, between God and man. I call it the bridge of salvation. He was the only acceptable sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. God means to protect his investment. Romans chapter 6, If you have been on the spiritual fence of life lately, my friend, facing disappointments and not sure if God cares, I'm glad you decided to pray this prayer today. Stand your ground in faith. Sometimes we leave him, but he never leaves us or forsakes us. The angels in heaven rejoice as you have rededicated your life to Jesus by praying this prayer today. Now that we are dead to sin like Christ, then, as verse 2 says and speaks to our hearts, we live no longer therein. Conclusion, we are dead in sins and trespasses, but now alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We cannot remain in a sinful state, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. So, if we're in sin, we're dead. If we're in Christ, we are alive. Amen. Let's go for all that God has for us. God will always, again, protect his investment. His investment is us. Happy New You. Our Father who is ever present, this is Acresha Jordan. We thank Robin and Matthew Anderson with prayer and share, an invitation to intercede in prayer for our nation on Metta, and New Generation Christian Family Matters Podcast for making this presentation possible to you. God bless you as our prayer.