Happy New Year!  As we start a New Year it is a time when many of us look backwards as well as forwards.  Perhaps 2025 was a year which was difficult for you - you experienced ill health, the loss of loved ones or disasters in your personal life.  As you look forward to 2026 perhaps you're hoping for a better year; or perhaps 2025 was great and your are hoping for more of the same.

 

At the start of a New Year people can make resolutions.  They are determined to make changes to their lives - to make their lives better.  Perhaps this involves something physical - resolving to take more exercise or to eat more healthily.  But perhaps they have realised that there are deeper changes that need to be made - maybe to be more patient and try and control their temper better.  People can make all sorts of resolutions.  But we find it very hard to stick to them don't we?!!!

 

There is a well-known saying, "A leopard cannot change its spots."  Have you heard that saying?  It means that no matter how good our intentions it is almost impossible for us to change ourselves to be the person that we would like to be.  And if we find it hard to be the person that we would like to be, how much harder it is for us to be the person that God wants us to be!  In fact, humanly speaking, it is impossible.  The problem is that we have is our sinful nature - we are naturally inclined to do things that are wrong.  For us to start living in a way that pleases God requires a radical change.  In the Bible we read about Jesus' encounter with a young man called Nicodemus.  And Jesus said to Nicodemus, "I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (John 3 v 3 NIV)  But what does it mean to be born again?  It means to be truly repentant for the wrong things that we have done and to ask for God's forgiveness.  Each one us use does not deserve to be forgiven, but in God's mercy He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross.  When Jesus died on the cross He took the punishment for all who have repented and are trusting in Him.  If we are trusting in Him and have been saved by Him, then He will be with us and help us to lead lives that are pleasing to God.