2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
First, I’d like to express my best wishes to all of you; praying you and your family have a blessed and Happy New Year. That’s the common greeting of the day, but it comes from a sincere heart realizing that all blessings and “happiness” are rooted in our relationship with God. I pray that would grow stronger and deeper this year.
As most of you know, January is derived from the mythological god of the Romans, picturing a deity with two faces - able to simultaneously look backward and forward. Although we know there’s no such deity, we would be wise to do that…look back and forward, to a certain extent.
I’m sure that as we look back, we will see SOME successes – thank You Jesus, for the gracious blessings, and the way we’ve grown a little bit. Let’s continue to do so, and look forward to being even more like Jesus in 2026 (2 Corinthians 3:18).
I’m also sure that as we look back, we will see some failures – I'm so sorry Lord, but thank You for forgiving us of our sins, that as Christians You have promised us that You will remember them no more (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12). Wow! Let’s accept His forgiveness and learn from our mistakes; ask God for the power to change.
And as I type, I pause (even sigh), when I think of many of you who look back to 2025, and it was a year of trial and heavy heartache. Praying for you. A word of encouragement is that here you are reading this devotional on the first day of the year, seeking God, and holding on to HOPE, a hope rooted in Christ. Last year wasn't easy, but God was there, just as He promises to be. Some of you felt His presence in the pain, but even if you didn’t, He was there! He was with you my friend, carrying you, sustaining you, because of the fact that He loves you.
2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks of our salvation - but it's okay to apply it to the New Year.
I would suggest that you carve out about 15 minutes, take some time to write down the lessons of 2025, don’t waste them. And then write a few God-given goals for 2026, do your best to make sure they’re from God, and then ask Him for the wisdom and strength to follow through.
Love you all and praying the best.
Your brother in Christ,
- Manny
As most of you know, January is derived from the mythological god of the Romans, picturing a deity with two faces - able to simultaneously look backward and forward. Although we know there’s no such deity, we would be wise to do that…look back and forward, to a certain extent.
I’m sure that as we look back, we will see SOME successes – thank You Jesus, for the gracious blessings, and the way we’ve grown a little bit. Let’s continue to do so, and look forward to being even more like Jesus in 2026 (2 Corinthians 3:18).
I’m also sure that as we look back, we will see some failures – I'm so sorry Lord, but thank You for forgiving us of our sins, that as Christians You have promised us that You will remember them no more (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12). Wow! Let’s accept His forgiveness and learn from our mistakes; ask God for the power to change.
And as I type, I pause (even sigh), when I think of many of you who look back to 2025, and it was a year of trial and heavy heartache. Praying for you. A word of encouragement is that here you are reading this devotional on the first day of the year, seeking God, and holding on to HOPE, a hope rooted in Christ. Last year wasn't easy, but God was there, just as He promises to be. Some of you felt His presence in the pain, but even if you didn’t, He was there! He was with you my friend, carrying you, sustaining you, because of the fact that He loves you.
2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks of our salvation - but it's okay to apply it to the New Year.
I would suggest that you carve out about 15 minutes, take some time to write down the lessons of 2025, don’t waste them. And then write a few God-given goals for 2026, do your best to make sure they’re from God, and then ask Him for the wisdom and strength to follow through.
Love you all and praying the best.
Your brother in Christ,
- Manny
Feel free to send us a question on today's devotional or anything else that might be on your heart.
We'll get back to you as soon as we can.
We'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Today at Calvary
January 1, 2026
No events scheduled.
No events scheduled.