The Dawning of a New Year

       
       Ashley Angeles

A new year. Another opportunity. What can we do to spread the word of Christ in this new year? The sooner the word is spread, the sooner Jesus will come. That is an amazing thought! Imagine… if all of the SDA youth that you know brought one person to Christ this year. And then that person told other people, and so on. That would be amazing! This year, one of my my goals is to spread the word of God. Many of us make New Year’s resolutions, but never actually do them. This year, how about making that resolution, and keeping it? It will be worth it.

     Staying connected with Jesus and praying to Him each day will help us to fulfill our resolution, as long as it is His will. He will always be there to help us! This year, use it as another opportunity to grow closer to Jesus, and bring people to Him.

       

      Lilienne Stafford

A year comes, a year goes. But what is the purpose of the year? Why do we have days, months, and years? Maybe it's because people want to keep track of time. Or maybe it is because everything would blend together otherwise. But that's just it! If we didn't have calendars, everything would mash up together like a bowl of porridge. We wouldn't have a very good idea of whether something happened a week ago or only a few days ago.

     "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom," (Psalms 90:12). Perhaps that is the purpose of the year. When we notice the passing of time, we feel we must use it well. God has given us time; it is not ours, but borrowed. How will we use it? How will you use it?

     "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13). This is how God wants us to use our time. Will you use the new year in this way? If this is your choice, it happens to be the best one you can make!  

      

      Caleb Tam

A page is turning in our lives. One year is setting, while another dawns. This year is gone, never to return, but with its bloody pen it has etched a mark of war and terror, never to be removed. Even in our lives, the very foundations seem to be shaken by an unseen hand. Perhaps, as I have, you’ve lost someone dear to you this year. Maybe a friend was killed in a tragic accident, or a relative passed away. The world seems to be spinning out of control, yet there is one solid in the midst of this fluid reality. This anchor is God. When we cling to Him, no matter how much the waves beat upon our lives, no matter how many times we begin to sink, He will lift us up and see us through.

     A new year is now before us. Another chance. Who knows whether we will live to see another one? Live this one as though it is your last. Today, commit your way to the one who holds eternity in His hands, and when the waves of strife beat upon us, we will stay anchored fast to the one whom the wind and the waves obey.

     

      Joshua Pestes

A new year, a new section of time. Time to use for eternal good. Time to use for praising God. Time to use uplifting Him. Time to often squandered in useless pursuit of so called 'happiness'. Every year, every day, every second, is a gift from God. We are the steward of His time. Will we use it to glorify God, or to please ourselves?

     "For Christ's sake, my brethren and sisters, make the most of the hours of the new year to place the precious light of present truth before the people. The Angel of the covenant is empowering his servants to carry the truth to all parts of the world." - CEv 41.2

     "The new year is just before us, and plans should be laid for earnest, persevering effort in the Master's service. There is much to be done to advance the work of God." - The Review and Herald, January 20, 1903.

     Let us not spend our time on useless things. God has great things for us to do this year. Join me in praying that God will reveal the great things He would have us do for him this year.


     
      Hannah Evert

We often make New Year's Resolutions at this time. A resolution I like to make is one to grow closer to God, to commit my life to Him and to live for Him every day. But usually at the end of the year, I disappointedly look back and realize I haven't fulfilled it. Has that ever happened to you? What if this year was different? What if we actually achieved our goals? Well, there's one way we can be sure and succeed.

     We need to surrender ourselves wholly to God, each and every day. We need to ask him to guide and lead us in everything we do. If we do that, every day, we will succeed. That's my new years resolution, and I'm going to pray for help so that I can fulfil my goals.

     You don't need to surrender for tomorrow, next week and next month, just surrender today. Come to him every day, one day at a time.

     When I look back this next year, I want to see a year of surrender, of commitment, and of growing closer to God. And I want to start today. How about you?

      

      Ethan Carpenter

“It’s a new year. Time to make some new ropes of sand!”

     That is practically what almost every person says on the first day of every year. Fitness goals, work goals and all manner of resolutions are made. But why do they almost always fail within the first few weeks or months? “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3). Without God we can’t do anything. But “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13). The truly lasting goals will be goals of Christ. If we set goals that aren’t backed by Christ, failure will abound. 


      Thomas Mayhew

What are our goals for this year? Are we going to be consumed with our own desires and goals, or will we commit to staying more connected with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

This year, 2018, offers us a new chance to live for Christ and grow closer in our relationship with Him. Will you accept that challenge? Will you say yes to Jesus and do all that He asks? If so, I invite you to pray right now, and commit yourself to Christ anew. Accept the call now! Jesus is waiting with open arms to receive you!


Happy New Year! ~ SDA Youth in the Last Days contributors