A FRESH OPPORTUNITY

Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

Every New Year is a new beginning. It is an opportunity to do something new with your life. To dream afresh and believe God for something new.

A New Year is also a time to set a new course for your life. This year, I want to encourage you to build your life around the theme of, ORDER.

Order is the foundation for productivity. As we have come to the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one, we all have an Opportunity to turn over a new leaf, to adopt new and more empowering principles, to set new goals, and develop a new determination to life; more fruitful lives.

Today, you can put the disappointments, regrets, and failures of the past year behind you and. "Start this year as a new person. Praise the Lord for opportunity to start over again!

The New Year is a blank slate. There are glorious opportunities ahead of you. You decide which path you are going to walk in this New Year.

"Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls" (Jeremiah 6:16).

You decide what your priorities are going to be. You decide which direction you are going to take, each and every day. We all need a fresh start sometimes in our lives.

And this New Year presents us with fresh opportunity to set new goals and make new resolutions, move to a higher level.

May this year be your best year by far since the year of your birth.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the opportunity to turn a new page in my life.

Scriptural Reading: Isaiah 43:18-19

Pope says, Stop the wars in New Year appeal

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis made an impassioned New Year's peace address on Wednesday, saying the heart of humanity seemed to have gone astray and too many people were still indifferent to war, violence and injustice.

The pontiff, who took his papal name from St Francis of Assisi, the saint most associated with peace, urged the world to listen to the "cry for peace" from suffering peoples.

"What on earth is happening in the hearts of men? What on earth is happening in the heart of humanity?" he said to tens of thousands of people in St Peter's Square on the day the Roman Catholic Church celebrates its World Day of Peace.

"It's time to stop!" he said, departing from his prepared text.

Francis was speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square that popes traditionally use for their addresses.

Unlike his predecessors, Francis has not used the spacious apartment behind the window since his election in March, shunning pomp and preferring instead to live in small quarters in a Vatican guest house.

"Everyone must be committed to building a society that is truly just and caring," he told the crowd on Wednesday, acknowledging the many peace banners and blue balloons held aloft.

In a message for the World Day of Peace sent to world leaders last month, Francis said that huge salaries and bonuses were symptoms of an economy based on greed and inequality

In that letter, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina again urged nations to narrow the gap between rich and poor, more and more of whom were getting only "crumbs".

Francis, named Person of the Year by Time magazine and a number of other publications, has urged his own Church to set an example by being more fair and frugal and less pompous, and to get closer to the poor and afflicted.

The new year is expected to bring concrete changes to the Vatican, plagued by a series of mishaps and scandals under Pope Benedict XVI, who in February became the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.

Francis has appointed a committee of eight cardinals from around the world to advise him on how to reform the central Vatican administration.

He has also named commissions to advise him on what to do with the scandal-plagued Vatican bank, on transparency in other parts of Vatican finance and on how to deal with the Church's many sexual abuse scandals.

Vatican officials expect changes to start taking shape in late February, when his council of advisors has a pivotal meeting in the Vatican.

On February 22, Francis will name his first batch of cardinals to join the exclusive group that will one day choose his successor.

The names of the new cardinals are expected to be disclosed sometime in late January, and will offer another indication of the type of humbler Church that Francis wants.

Source: Yahoo.com

Twin Babies Born in Separate Years 2013/2014

As people around the world partied their way into the New Year, two mothers gave birth to two of the last babies of 2013 and two of the first babies of 2014. While born just minutes apart, their twin babies entered the world in two different years.

On Dec. 31, 2013, at 11:58 p.m., Yaleni Santos Tohalino gave birth to baby girl Lorraine Yaleni Begazo, who weighed at 6 pounds, 4.9 ounces, at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, in Washington, D.C.

Soon after, her twin brother Brandon Ferdinando Begazo was born on Jan. 1, 2014, at 12:01 a.m., weighing at 5 pounds, 10.4 ounces.

"I feel wonderful full of joy and happiness and a full sense of realization," the twins' father, Warren Begazo, told ABCNews.com. "This is her first children ever, and they're beautiful and she's really happy."

In Toronto, two fraternal twin sisters were also born in 2013 and in 2014, respectively. At Trillium Health Partners-Credit Valley Hospital, older sister Gabriela Salgueiro was born on Dec. 31, 2013, at 11:52 p.m., weighing 6 pounds, 16 ounces.

On Jan. 1, 2014, at 12:00:38 a.m., younger twin Sophia Salgueiro was born, weighing 5 pounds, 13 ounces.

"They kind of got that golden ticket. They've got different birthdays," the twins' mother, Lindsay Salgueiro, told ABCNews.com. "They're going to be best friends for life."

"We really did celebrate New Year's Eve," Begazo said.

"Not a bad way to end the year and not a bad a way to start the year off," said Salgueiro.

Both the mothers and babies are healthy and looking forward to going home.

Culled from: yahoocom

THIS IS 2ND DAY IN NEW YEAR...Welcome Back To Work!!!

This new year, there shall be Open Heaven for you because you are of the Lord, and there shall be showers of blessing upon you in Jesus name. This new year, you shall be connected with your divine helper. Unmerited favor of the Lord shall locate and overshadow you. Your going out and your coming in shall be favored by God. You shall find uncommon favor before the young and old. Your abundant favor and blessings shall locate you from north, south, east and west with divine connections. This New Year, nations shall come to your aid because of the Lord's favor in your life.

Because you are God's chosen, this new year, the Lord shall turn your ridicule into miracle; the Lord shall turn your insults into positive results; the Lord shall turn your breakdown into breakthrough; the Lord shall turn your struggle into success; the Lord shall turn your trial into triumph; the Lord shall turn your disappointment to appointment; the Lord shall turn your hardship to comfort; the Lord shall turn your agony to glory. The Lord shall bring to fulfillment, all your overdue miracles. Those who laughed at you last year shall come to celebrate you this New Year.

This New Year, the Lord shall honor His words in your life and restore unto you every lost possession. This New Year shall be your year of harvest; your blessings shall be immeasurable; your happiness shall know no bound; you shall increase and multiply in abundance; Your expectations shall become testimonies; This New Year shall be your year of celebration.

Because you have confessed the Lord as your savior, this New Year, the plan of the devil and his agents upon your life shall be thwarted. Every scheme that rises against you shall be nullified and defeated. Every evil words spoken or unspoken against you shall be rendered powerless and fruitless in Jesus name. The greatness of the Lord shall overshadow you, and you shall be single out for greatness, spiritual blessings, physical blessings, marital blessings, promotions, prosperity, progress, financial breakthrough and uncommon favor

This new year, the anointing of the Lord shall overshadow you, and you shall increase in knowledge and wisdom of God. Because of the Lord's faithfulness, you shall take charge over every circumstances and situations; you shall do the impossible; you shall attain the unattainable; Those who have been looking down on you shall look up to you. Amidst colleagues, you shall be recognized.

In the year 2014, the Lord shall remember you for good, the blessing bearing angels of the living God shall locate you. God will smile upon you and reward you bountifully in this season. Nobody will shake their heads at you in sympathy at the lost of a loved one. You will be congratulated on many grounds as God will grant several requests of yours this New Year. You shall find mercy where so ever you turn to. Increase, grace, promotion, elevation, lifting, raises, open doors, breakthrough, accelerated movements, divine visitations of peace, comfort and joy will be yours this new year. This New Year, instead of shame, you shall receive double honor, instead of sorrow you shall be comforted, for your battles you have been pronounced victorious. You shall be increased in every side, nothing shall fall from your hands, and nothing shall die in your life in Jesus name.

This is your year of greater manifestation. The Glory of the Lord shall manifest upon your life and you shall be celebrated, for all overdue promises shall be fulfilled concerning your life and your family in Jesus name.

---When you're down to nothing, God is up to something!---

7 Promises of Gift That God Want To Give You This Year

In Deuteronomy 16:16-17 God directed the people of the First Covenant to gather three times a year for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. He also commanded that none were to appear before the Lord empty, but that, “every man shall give as he is able…” Recently God burned this passage into my spirit, but with a different twist. Notice the rich were not to give little, the poor were not to give much; but all were expected to give to the level of their ability.

Here is the “hinge,” the idea on which this article turns—God would never demand of His own something that He would not do Himself. If God expects us to give to His work according to the level of our ability, then certainly we can expect Him to move for us according to the level of His divine ability! Now this insight gains intensity.

There are seven main Scriptural declarations of God’s ability toward us. Certainly His abilities go far beyond these seven areas—however, He must have emphasized these seven areas for a reason; therefore, we should magnify them as well, by embracing these promises and often declaring their fulfillment:

1 All Grace: 2 Corinthians 9:8 declares that “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (NKJV, KJV). Grace is unmerited love and divinely imparted ability. There is no limit to the amount of grace available flowing from the throne of God. Grace is just as infinitely inexhaustible as the God who gives it. God only requires that His people exhibit: (1) Faith—Eph. 2:8, (2) Humility—I Pt. 5:5, and (3) Sincere love—Eph. 6:24. If these attitudes are in us and abound, the deep river of divine grace will abound toward us.

2 Divine Help: Hebrews 2:17-18 explains concerning Jesus, “in all things it behooved Him to be made like His brothers, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, having been tempted, He is able to aid those who are being tempted” (MKJV). How comforting it is to know that in our temptations and trials, the Lord Jesus is sympathetic and ready to assist us in our journey! He is compassionate and committed. Having faced every same temptations that we face in this world, He understands our plight and stands ever ready to help us, even to the point of marshalling the host of heaven.

3 Power to Stand: Two scriptures relay this excellent promise two different ways. First, Jude 24 says, “unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy…” (KJV). The most noticeable revelation from this verse is that it is God’s great “joy” to uphold His people and render them blameless in His sight.If that will be

It Is A New Day!

TEXT: ISAIAH 43:18-21

Key verse: “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” (Isaiah 43:19).
Historians have been recording the events of history since the Phoenicians in Africa invented the first alphabet. Our past is composed of many traditions, superstitions, folk tales, works of art, archaeological objects, books and written records of our accomplishments, pains and sufferings. Sometimes, we study the past to gain a better understanding of other people and places. But the purpose of most recorded history is to draw valuable lessons from which we can improve our own lives and have a better future.

The children of Israel in our text had great spiritual experiences throughout their history. From the first Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, to the conquering of the land of Canaan, to the building of the temple, the children of Israel had seen the hand of God at work in and through their lives. Yet, they sinned and went into captivity in Babylon for lack of faith in God. They needed a new vision and assurance of what God could do. Then, God promised to do new things for them.

Like the Israelites, many of us have made many mistakes and have experienced many setbacks and failures as a result. Sometimes, we allow these mistakes, setbacks and failures to enslave us to the point that we never enjoy the full Christian life as going forward looks very much like a complex game of chess.

Forget the past because today marks a new season of upload of great divine blessings into your life and ministry. God created the four seasons that are based on the rotation of the Earth as it orbits the Sun. The seasons change as the earth moves, but the sun in our planetary system remains constant and everything revolves around it. Much like the earth, if our lives revolve around the Son, Jesus Christ who remains constant yesterday, today and forever, changes will occur as we enter and exit many seasons. He is able to transform the desert areas of our lives into fields of blessings and abundance this New Year. It’s a new season; God will do new things for us. Happy new year!

“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” (Isaiah 43:19).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It’s a new day, arise and embrace it.

Some 13 New Year’s Resolutions To Make with Your Spouse

New Year’s Resolutions are hard to keep aren’t they? Well ladies and gents, you’ll find out, if you make New Year resolutions with your spouse, you’ll most likely keep it! So this New Year, why don’t you try to work on your relationship? Maybe if it’s in the form of New Year’s resolution, you’ll be able to keep your commitments. Below, I’ve compiled the top 13 New Year resolutions that you can make for next year to make it a great year for your relationship!

1. Make Time to Connect: This is one of the biggest New Year resolutions that I’m going to make this year. Taking time out for your relationship and truly making time for one another is hard. So whether it’s the busy schedules or the kids make sure that you schedule some time to spend with your spouse. It’ll make all of the difference in your relationship!

2. Admire, Compliment & Praise: I don’t compliment enough. I know it and that’s absolutely at the top of my New Year’s resolutions list for next year. If you’re in the same boat as me, just make a pact to compliment one another more often and to celebrate small little wins. Your relationship should be fun and you should always praise one another!

3. Stay Present: If you’ve been in a relationship for a while, it’s sometimes hard to stay present and sometimes hard to not drift away. Ladies, if you find yourself getting distant, it’s time to make the New Year resolutions that you stay present this year. After all, what fun is a relationship if you’re constantly feeling distant and alone?

4. Work on Communication: Communication is the key in any relationship and should be a key in your relationship. If you and your partner are having a hard time communicating, it might be time for you to work on that communication. After all, good communication can only help your relationship in the long run.

5. Say ‘I Love You’ More Often: This is another one, if you’ve been in a relationship for a long time, the fresh and new ‘I love you’ statements phase out. So why not next year, as a New Year resolution, you say I love you more often? It’s a great way to really let your partner know that you are truly in love with them still.

6. Do ‘Good Things’ for Each Other: Whether it is bringing your boy breakfast in bed or just washing his car, you want to make sure that you’re doing good things for him. That in turn, means that he should be doing good things for you too. Doing random acts of kindness for one another is huge, especially if you’ve been together for a while!

7. Make Sex Time a Priority: Sex doesn’t need to be scheduled ladies, but you do have to make time for it. Why not, this year, make sexy time a priority? After all, it’s a great stress reliever and it makes you feel connected to your partner!

8. Work on Not Fighting: Fighting is an issue in every relationship. Trust me, I’ve been in my fair share of fights with the Better Half. That doesn’t mean you have to fight about everything. So, why not work on it? For next year, take time out to discuss things, instead of fighting them out.

9. Take up a Hobby: While you may have things that you do on your own all of the time, you need something to do together. Find a hobby you’ll both enjoy and get going. It doesn’t matter if you want to learn to cook, learn to paint, or start scrap booking; as long as you do it together that’s what really matters.

10. Have Fun outside of The Relationship: As much as you guys should spend time together, you need time apart too. This doesn’t mean a break, break up, separation, or anything that serious – I just mean a good old fashioned girl’s/guy’s night. You both deserve time with your friends so make plans with friends, or even on your own, just get out of the house for a night and do something without your partner.

11. Keep Your Problems between Each Other: If you and your spouse have trouble keeping lovers quarrels between the two of you, that’s something to work on. Of course you want to vent every so often, and you’re able to, but be careful what you say and to who you say it to. Things you say in anger could come back to bite you so take a vow with your significant other not to blab to other people too much.

12. Have Fun: All work and no play makes for a dull relationship. Go mini-golfing, stay up all night just talking and laughing, have tickle fights, just do something that makes your smile and laugh with your spouse. Relationships are hard work, but they don’t always have to be. If you take the time to laugh and have fun your relationship will be easier and happier.

13. Make a Vision Board: This one might sound kind of dumb, but it could be fun. You both probably want certain things out of life and surely you’ve talked about them before, but why not really map it out. It doesn’t have to be super realistic if you’d rather just have fun with it. If you do want it to be serious, be careful that you don’t argue it’s supposed to be fun. Pick out things like the kind of house you want, car you want, number of kids you want, and things like that then see what you can really make happen.

Finding the ideal New Year resolutions to make with your partner does have to be hard. You just have to find something that works for the both of you. By Big-Sis.