01/01/2026
Happy New Year!
Good Morning My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it's my prayer that this Devotion be a blessing to you today as always.
Date: January 1, 2026
Scripture: Philippians 3:10-14 - “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Topic: The Best New Year Resolution is to Know Jesus Christ
The first step to knowing God is a personal encounter with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
In John 14:8-9, Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”
If we would know God, we must begin with Jesus Christ.
Question: How many of you make New Year resolutions?
According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, 45% of Americans usually make a New Year resolution, while 17% never do. About 38% infrequently make them. Common resolutions involve health, diet, money, and lifestyle changes. However, only 8% are successful in keeping their resolutions, with 49% having infrequent success, and 24% never succeeding.
Beloved, the best New Year resolution is what Apostle Paul expressed in Philippians 3:10, "I want to know Christ."
Paul, a devout Jew who followed Hebrew traditions, described himself in Philippians 3:5 as "a Hebrew of Hebrews." Yet, he considered all his accomplishments as loss compared to knowing Christ, which he realized on the road to Damascus. His encounter with Jesus transformed his life; his previous efforts were insufficient. Only through faith in Jesus did Paul find righteousness with God.
In Philippians 3:10, Paul resolves to know Christ better, meaning to live by faith in Jesus' completed work.
Beloved, I believe Paul's resolution would be an excellent New Year resolution for us. Our resolution could be - "I want to know Christ better each and every day."
Question: How do we get to know Christ better?
Answer: We keep our resolution by spending time with Him. We get to know Jesus better by praying, asking questions, and listening through His Word. We know Him better by reading and studying the Bible, attending church to study His Word and hear it preached, and by sharing His story with others.
So if you make no other resolution for the New Year, I challenge you to make just one this year - "I resolve to know Jesus better each and every day." Amen!
O that I might know Him.
Happy New Year 2026
Yours in Christ,
Bishop Dr. Godfrey A. Stubbs
Be Encouraged
