Thank God for a New Year!!! The question is what will be different or what will you do differently in 2009? I am convinced that every year should bring about a change, and if we look around, we understand that change is needed in our world and in the lives of many. We need social, economic and spiritual changes in our lives.
The New Year will begin with a change of leadership in our country. Our president-elect has promised change, but he can not do it by himself. He needs the support of everyone and prayers of all. As we know, prayer will change things. We need to understand that Christians have the power to make a difference in the world. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Every problem this nation faces will not be solved overnight. Change often takes time, and we need to be patient knowing that God is able to do abundantly above all we ask or think. We have been programmed to be impatient. However, we must realize that we did not create the mess we are in overnight, and it can not be fixed overnight.
The changes we need to make in our society are not the most important changes needed. We need changes within our lives. If we want things to change in our world, there has to be a change in man. As long as men remain the same, we will have corruption and immorality. In order for change to take place in man, man must be willing to submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”
Therefore, man needs to first change his status. He needs to change from sinner to saint, or from unsaved to saved. He can do that by accepting Jesus Christ as his personal savior. He must make a confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Then man needs to change his direction. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
The direction that many are headed today seems  to be toward destruction. The Bible makes it clear that the broad road is the way that leads to destruction, and you will find many on this road. The right road is narrow and seldom traveled. That is because man has to be committed to doing the will of God.
Let this coming year be different. Commit yourselves to making a change in you and your surroundings. Alone we might not be able to do much, but together we can. We pray that you have a prosperous New Year.

Jackson is the pastor of the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.