We woke up to clouds and rain on New Year’s Day, something that might cause us to have a gloomy outlook for the New Year. We can’t allow a momentary setback to influence our view on life. Life is good and we are fortunate to be living in a country where we are free to choose how we want to live our lives. We also have the privilege of keeping hope close to our hearts as we coast into a new year.
I generally keep a positive outlook on life, believing and hoping for the best in every situation. But I admit that I get discouraged by circumstances and certain situations just like everyone else. It is difficult to always maintain a positive outlook on life, but I make an effort to work on it. I want to see the good in everyone I meet and I want to believe in the best for their situation and their future.
I know how difficult it can be to maintain a positive attitude when dealing with the public. People have problems and when they don’t have the Lord to help them through their problems they can be difficult to be around. Since they don’t have the Lord in their lives, they want to dump their problems on everyone around them. If that doesn’t work, they blame the world for their problems.
Maintaining a positive outlook on life is challenging when dealing with difficult people and circumstances. One thing that can have a profound impact on our outlook is prayer. We believe in a God who helps us overcome against insurmountable odds. We have placed our hope in a God whose reputation is bringing victory for his children. We know that even in our darkest moments that God is with us and will not forsake us. Those facts help us maintain a positive outlook in the face of unbelievable circumstances.
We can enter a new year with a positive faith-based hope in our future. I want to enter this new year with prayer and hope that God is going to do great things. 2013 has the potential to be a good year, one in which God moves in our lives in a positive way. There will naturally be difficult moments; moments of trial and difficulty. Our faith and hope will rest in God as He leads and guides us into His purposes for the year.
I am hoping and praying that this will be a year of renewal and revival for all of our churches. Can you imagine the impact on our local communities if each church could win twelve souls for the Kingdom of God? Twelve souls is only one soul per month. When you consider the number of churches in our area that would amount to a revival. Can you imagine the impact on our communities? Souls saved and lives and communities changed!
I am hoping and praying that God will reach out to the next generation. My wife and I were talking recently about a number of popular televangelists who are now in their 70s and 80s. They affected their generation, but who is rising up to impact the next generation? The next generation is not satisfied with a preacher who delivers a good message, they want to see the power of God at work. They want evidence of the power of God at work in human lives to transform and change people. I am hoping and praying they will see it.
I believe that God wants to reach the next generation more than any of us could ever imagine, but he is waiting for two things. First, he wants us to pray and cry out for the lost. Second, God is looking for a few good men and women who will take his word to the next generation with power, love, and grace. I believe the fields are ripe for the harvest. 2013 could be the year when God finds the faith and the prayers of the saints that could stir a moment of his spirit like the great revivals we read about in the past.
I want to encourage you to have an optimistic look on 2013. We serve a great God who can do immeasurably more than we ask of think. I’m asking for a great revival and renewal knowing that nothing is impossible for God. The God who can provide the beauty to put on a Tournament of Roses Parade can do something beautiful in your life too. This can be your year. Seize it with prayer and hope combined with faith for a wonderful and Happy New Year!

Doug Creamer’s website is www.dougcreamer.com.