Happy New Year! 3 Decisions to make 2019 the best year of your life

Versão em Português
Reading time: 8 min

I believe 2019 can be a new year full of good surprises to you. For this to happen you need to wish. And not only wish but make decisions consistent with the results you expect. Even good surprises will come as a consequence of your own decisions.

In this text you find 3 key decisions to live above the average. This is God’s purpose for your life and family. He is glad to bless us. Our family has lived the reality of these decisions and experienced the favor of God each new year.

We can not consider this turn of the year as any moment. The beginning of a cycle determines all the development of what comes next. Whenever the beginning of a year is assertive, your next months are on track for excellent results. Unfortunately there are people who choose superstitions or even repeat attitudes wanting different results. This is not the best plan for your life. I am sure that God has an excellent way for you to walk with your family towards the best year of your history so far.

So what are the 3 decisions for 2019 to mark a new and successful journey in your life´s history?

Happy New Year Living by FAITH

‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ‘

Hebrews 11:1

Decide live by faith. All people have faith, ability to believe in what is not yet seen, hope for something better. I talked about it in the previous post. Now a key question here is that faith does not grow or hold unless it is by the word of God. A person who decides to live by faith must live in a personal relationship with Jesus. Just as a friendship is only possible through constant experiences, conversations, and agreements, we can only walk by faith if we are often close to God. I see people who live based on their feelings, and this is very dangerous. There are also people who base their beliefs on the teachings of religious leaders or successful entrepreneurs. Even if this person is experiencing great results, that does not guarantee your success. But the Word of God is, as the psalmist said, as a lamp to your feet and a light to your way.

‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. ‘

Psalm 119:105

And the best way to receive faith through the word of God in your life is reading the Bible. You can read the Bible on paper if you have one at home or access one of several online versions. I have several Bibles at home but I have used especially the YouVersion through which I have access to many versions in different languages.

I won my first Bible while still a child from my cousin Fia. That Bible was stored for many years. In my teens I began to read and make notes on its pages, cover and back cover. I still keep this Bible fully annotated, which reminds me of how this book is alive, effective, and profound. The Bible not only contains noble thoughts, it is the Word of God written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit. Whatever you read in the Bible will prove itself faithful over the years.

I had the opportunity to listen the American author and political activist David Barton this semester. He showed us how the American Constitution, which is the only one in the world that has not been altered since its launch in 1787, is based on the Bible. Although the references are not explicit, several whole passages of that law bring verses from the Bible. He argues that this is the reason for the prosperity of the United States of America so far. And that this nation needs to stay in line with these principles to continue growing in a healthy way.

In fact, the Bible surprises me with its consistency and faithfulness. There are no arguments against the truth that the Bible is the sole basis of faith and practice for an abundant life. There are many reasons why a person does not want to have, read, or value the Bible but none will stand up worthy. The Bible is a powerful book to generate genuine faith in the heart of man.

One final point I make is about the importance of asking the Holy Spirit to help you to understand the Bible, always before you start reading. You can simply say, “Holy Spirit, thank you for having access to this precious book … please help me understand what I am going to read now.” And read, meditate, apply in your life. I saw this with my family. We have the custom of reading the Bible with the children every night before they sleep. It’s amazing how they love to hear and discuss what we see every night. We comment the Bible on practical way day by day, especially at the table and in the car as well.

That’s what I say about living by faith. Feed your spirit with the Word of God, through constant Bible reading, with the Holy Spirit help. Anyone who wants to enjoy a successful life needs to walk by faith.

Happy New Year Full of HOPE

Feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, trust for good things. Hope is fundamental for those who, having started well, never give up! It walks along with the faith referring to the expectation of a better future. And that is what God has prepared for you and your family.

If you have lived days or even years of extreme difficulty, not knowing how you got here, persevere even more. You’ve arrived close to the turn you need to your life. Anyone who gives up declares themselves a loser. But everyone that decides to persevere opens doors for the new to manifest. Good and amazing news that you can not imagine are ahead of you. God is your greatest ally in this process and He will never leave you.

The Bible says that Jesus in our lives is the hope of glory. It also says we cannot trust the world resources or material things, but trust only in God.

‘To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ‘

Colossians 1:27

So hope is what keeps us on the path even in unexpected situations that happen to all people. Keep your eyes steady in the certainty of a better future that God has already prepared for you and your family.

Happy New Year for LOVE

I have already thought that I would never be daring to talk about love. Because it is very difficult to approach, very complex, intangible. But I have learned that love is related to two concepts that are very palpable and accessible to all people: time and money. It may seem simple but it’s true.

If you think about the people you love the most, you will realize that you invest time with them. And not just time, but money too. It happens through a simple meal, a journey, a gift. Even when distant, we find a way to approach the loved one, buying a gift, planning a visit, seeking a contact that expresses love.

It’s hard to imagine that you really love a person if you have not given something meaningful to them. Love presupposes giving. God so loved the world that he gave his son Jesus. I will have more time to address this important issue in the coming posts. But I want to make it clear here that the decision of a life full of love is essential, fundamental, vital for you to feel complete, satisfied and truly happy.

The Bible has an awesome text, written by the apostle Paul to the Corinthian church, that breaks down a little love. Although well known, you can devote hours and, despite understanding the message, you will still have much more to draw from it. If you want to read more, click here.

‘Thus, these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of them is love. ‘

1 Corinthians 13:13

My prayer for you that read this post is for you and your family to live in 2019 the best new year of its history. Let it be a new start to enjoy God’s plans for you. Live by faith, persevere in hope and decide especially for love. Happy New Year!