Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

"Forgetting what is past ... I press on toward the goal."¹

It's an old saying but still appropriate as we commence another New Year: "Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

For better or worse, last year is gone foreverâ€"even though many of its effects will live on forever. However, we can't go back and do what we should or could have done. And we can't undo those things we regret having done any more than we can un-ring a bell.

But the good news is that, if we are so inclined or determined, we can put the past behind us and accept the New Year as a new opportunity to grow emotionally and spiritually, to serve God and our fellow man, and to achieve something worthwhile that will last for time and eternity.I am encouraged because I know God has a purpose for your life and mine this yearâ€"something to live for that is bigger than we are that makes life worth living.

We serve God by serving people and sometimes this task, because of the great needs people have, can seem overwhelming. However, God has a part for every one of us and if we each play our part and work together, we can get God's work done and we can each make a difference in somebody's life and therein help make our world a better place in which to live.

Frank McInnes wrote, "During World War II, the munitions factory at Lithgow in Australia had as its motto five letters: I-A-D-O-M! Large posters with these letters printed on them were placed throughout the factory in strategic places.

And what did I-A-D-O-M stand for? "It All Depends On Me!"

Let's work together this year to do God's work and share his love and good news with more of our fellow countrymen than ever before. With God's help and a willing spirit we can each have a very fruitful and productive year. And remember, as Henry Van Dyke put it: "What you possess in the world will be found at the day of your death to belong to someone else. But what you are will be yours forever."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I am available. Please make me usable and use me this year to be a part of what you are doing in the world todayâ€"the privilege for which I am truly thankful. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Philippians 3:13.

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