Redeeming 2026

Take your Bibles tonight, turn over to Ephesians chapter 5 quick here this evening, as we'll take a few moments and get a challenge here as we consider those things of a new year.

Ephesians 5 · chapter mention

You know, it's important to always consider what a new year brings and the things and the elements with it as we look here.

You know, this last year, we're in the last few hours of 2025 and a new year is just right around the bend here in just a little bit.

But, you know, when the reality is, is last year is behind us and a new year is before us.

And so this year ahead, I just want to remind you, you do have 365 days in it.

You have 365 days, 8,760 hours, and 525,600 minutes.

And the thing is, you have a choice how you're going to use them.

You have a choice what you're going to do with them.

You know, that's the one thing that we do have is, is how will we use those things?

How will we use that time in the year to come?

And, and we know we're going to use them.

You know, you can't bank time.

You know, you don't get to put it away for later or, or say, well, I'll put, save that back for another moment.

You know, time is one of those things.

It moves and gets consumed no matter what we do.

And that's the reason you find Ephesians chapter 5 tonight.

Ephesians 5 · chapter mention

As we look down in verse 14 here, as we see here this evening, where the word of God tells us here, it says,

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.

Now look here at verse 16.

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Wherefore be not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

You know, we see here we've been charged to do a couple things in this.

You know, to walk circumspectly.

You know, that circumspectly means to be carefully or intentional.

You know, we definitely need to use our time intentionally.

We live in a day where there's a lot of things that consume our time.

You know, I was reading an article today that they say the average teenager today

spends somewhere between six and eight hours playing games.

On a device of some kind.

Now, think about adults.

You have many adults do the same thing.

They'll burn hours upon a phone.

How many, you know, I won't ask for a thing,

but how many of you have ever caught yourself death scrolling on your phone?

You know, you're killing time, and just all of a sudden it just keeps consuming.

I mean, when we look at how we use our time, it's important.

It tells us that we need to be carefully, use it carefully and accurately.

You know, use it as what's going to be profitable.

And our walk is to use our time wisely.

And notice here it compares wise and foolish.

Because it's going to be used up.

The question is, is it going to be used wisely?

Is it going to be used foolishly?

Is it going to be used carefully and intentionally?

Or is it just going to let it pass by?

You know, to do whatever.

But we see these things.

But I want to look at a couple things to draw your attention here

as we get ready to close the year and begin a new one.

And talk about some things that will help us walk wisely in the year to come.

You know, how to use your time in the year to come.

Because that's one area that we're all even.

Everybody has the same amount of time.

You know, the person sitting next to you doesn't get a second longer than you have.

Everybody is exactly on the same playing field.

And so we want to consider what are some things.

We're going to look at seven things that will help you redeem 2026.

Because 2026 is going to come and it's going to be used up.

What are you going to do in that time?

You know, I want to encourage you tonight as we look here in Ephesians chapter 3.

Ephesians 3 · chapter mention

It tells us as Paul continues to look at this,

he gives us an idea of one thing, the first thing that we can look at here

when regards to this, as we look down in verse 17 of chapter 3.

And it says this,

that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that you may be rooted and grounded in love.

You know, the first thing on the list there is to stay rooted and grounded.

To be rooted and grounded in the things of God.

Here it tells us to be rooted and grounded in love.

And look at what it goes on.

It says,

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, the length, the depth, and height.

And to know the love of Christ with path to knowledge that may be filled with all fullness of God.

You know, when we understand the reality of being rooted and grounded,

you know, in understanding who God is, the fullness of God.

You know, look over to Colossians chapter 2 for a moment.

Colossians 2 · chapter mention

Colossians chapter 2, you'll find there in verse 7.

Colossians 2 · chapter mention

Here in Colossians chapter 2, you'll find that God brings forth something else here for us.

Colossians 2 · chapter mention

Look in chapter 2, look there in verse 7 of the second chapter.

It says this,

Rooted and built up in him, established in the faith,

that ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

You know, think about that.

Rooted and built up in him.

One of the things that we need to do is to be rooted and grounded,

built upon the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now the question is, say, preacher, how does that affect my time?

Because that depends on how you use that time.

Because consider what Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 2.

2 Timothy 2 · chapter mention

In verse 15, he makes it clear.

He says,

To study to show thyself approved unto God.

To study to show thyself approved.

That word study involves investment.

It involves labor.

It involves directly time because it involves effort that's being made.

To learn and to grow and to understand.

You know, we live in a day and age where there's a lot of false teachings out there.

There's a lot of falsehoods that go around.

How do you discern which one's right and which one's wrong?

You know, simple truth is, if you're grounded in the truth of God's word,

it doesn't draw you away.

Because when something false is said, you can go and think,

hey, there's something wrong with that.

And study to show thyself approved means,

I know where I'm going to go to look.

I'm going to understand how does this fit in the scope of scripture.

You know, one of the things to do that,

you know, how do you apply this being rooted and grounded in truth?

Look back in the Old Testament for a moment.

Go to Psalm 119.

You know, Psalm 119.

I think God tells us exactly how we need to be rooted and grounded.

You know, the application here is very simple.

We look in verse 11 of Psalm 119.

It tells us this.

It says,

Thy word have I hid what?

In my heart.

That I might not sin against thee.

You know, if you're going to be rooted and grounded,

it means that you've put time into not only reading God's word,

because the one thing you'll find,

there's a lot of people who read the Bible.

You actually find more people read the Bible than you realize,

but you know what?

A lot of them, it's just reading.

They don't really consider how does it fit?

How does it apply to me?

Study implies that you take what you're reading and say,

how does this apply to me?

How does it apply to life?

How does it apply to the principles that I need to use that I might be rooted and grounded in him?

You know, have that word hid in his heart.

In other words, to know what it says, not just to read it.

Not just to consume words on a page, but to have those words on a page have an impact upon you.

You know, to hide those words.

So when something comes up, God has something to draw from.

You know, I think oftentimes as Christians,

we can be foolish because we don't know what God says about something.

And we just react according to what we think instead of what God says.

You know, to be rooted and grounded means that you have God's truth instilled in you.

You know, one of the things for this coming year I want to encourage you is to really get rooted and grounded in the truth of God's word.

To stay there.

To stay rooted and grounded in the truth of God's word.

Secondly, I want you to pray earnestly.

Because you never separate the word of God from prayer.

You know, the two are together.

Just the word of God is God speaking to you and prayer is you speaking to God.

You know, last I checked, any time you have a relationship or a conversation, it usually takes two directions.

It takes two parties to be involved.

To pray, you know, look over in James chapter 5.

James 5 · chapter mention

Now, James chapter 5, it tells us over there.

James 5 · chapter mention

In James chapter 5, we find here that the word of God tells us, he says,

James 5 · chapter mention

in verse 16, he says,

Confess your faults one for another, pray one for another, that you may be healed.

And notice this, the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

You know, in other words, to have that relationship with God makes a difference.

And to invest in that.

You know, now we notice over here, in Matthew chapter 26,

Matthew 26 · chapter mention

think for a moment as Jesus is telling his disciples,

when it comes to this idea of prayer,

and one of the things we need to do,

if we're going to redeem the time, we need to spend time with God.

We need to spend time with him to actually pray.

You know, to have prayer.

Notice what it says in Matthew 26.

Look down in verse 41.

It tells us this, watch and pray.

That word watch means to be alert.

You know, a lot of times we go through life, aren't paying attention.

You know, if you drive in traffic in Lincoln,

you'll know there's a lot of people that don't pay attention.

Whether it's the stoplight or traffic.

I mean, how many times has somebody just pulled blatantly out in front of you?

You know what they're doing?

They're not watchful.

They're just going through and not being observant.

They're not paying attention.

When Jesus told his disciples to watch,

he said to be paying attention.

To be alert to what's going on.

He says, watch and pray that you enter not into temptation.

The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

You know what?

It takes effort in your flesh to pray.

You know, I've learned over the years that prayer is not easy.

Prayer takes intention because you know what?

There's a hundred things to distract you that can draw your attention.

You know, you'll be starting to pray about something and pretty soon,

you know, well, that's a concern.

And then you start thinking about the concern instead of what you're doing.

It takes intention to be alert, to be watchful.

You know, over in 1 Peter chapter 4, it tells us this,

1 Peter 4 · chapter mention

but in verse 7, it says,

and the end of all things is at hand.

Be therefore sober and watch unto prayer.

You know, if you watch the news, the world is getting worse and worse.

You know, I always tell people this way,

when it comes to the Lord's return,

I don't know when he's going to return,

but I guarantee you we're one day closer than we were yesterday.

It's getting closer to the end.

We understand the reality of that,

but we need to be sober.

That means to be right thinking,

to be thinking properly about what's going on about us.

And that comes from the word of God and to pray,

to talk to the Lord.

You know, think about Philippians 4, 6,

a verse we often hear.

It tells us,

be careful for nothing,

but in everything by prayer and supplication,

with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known unto God.

You know, if we're going to redeem the time in 2026,

we need to be rooted and grounded in the truth of God's word.

We need to be praying.

We need to pray earnestly,

you know,

to be focused on what God has.

Now, the third thing we're going to look at here tonight,

if we're going to redeem the time,

is you need to guard your heart.

This is an area sometimes we let slide a little bit.

Because when we understand what God's speaking about here,

look over to Proverbs chapter 4.

Proverbs 4 · chapter mention

You know, Proverbs chapter 4.

Proverbs 4 · chapter mention

Because what we do impacts what we're looking at,

how we deal with things.

You know, look here in Proverbs 4 and verse 23.

He tells us this in 4, 23 of the book of Proverbs.

He says, keep thy heart.

To keep thy heart with all diligence.

Now, when we stop and consider,

what's he talking about?

If we're going to redeem the time,

we need to guard our heart.

Because you know what?

Your heart draws you away.

What your heart is focused upon makes a difference.

Because he says,

keep thy heart with all diligence,

for out of it are the issues of life.

You know what?

Your heart and the things of life intertwine.

They're woven together.

And when we understand the reality of that issue,

that our heart needs to be diligent in that.

You know, take a look over to Deuteronomy chapter 4.

Deuteronomy 4 · chapter mention

You know, Deuteronomy chapter 4.

Deuteronomy 4 · chapter mention

And you'll find over here in Deuteronomy chapter 4,

Deuteronomy 4 · chapter mention

down in verse 9.

That God even told the children of Israel

this same principle.

As they were getting ready to come out of Egypt.

You know, he told them that they needed to do something.

And he tells them here in verse 9,

only take heed to thyself

and keep thy soul diligently.

You know, one of the most important things here is

we spend more time worried about somebody else sometimes

than we are worried about ourselves.

Well, look what they did.

Or look what somebody over here is doing.

But notice God tells us to keep our heart,

keep those things within ourselves,

to keep thy soul diligently.

Now notice here what it continues to say

in Deuteronomy chapter 4.

Deuteronomy 4 · chapter mention

It says,

You know, I want you to see here,

because there's an important element

in what we keep.

Because when we keep our heart right,

it impacts others.

We ought not to be overly concerned.

There is a concern for others.

But I want you to understand,

it starts making sure you're right with God.

Because if you're not right with God,

there's a problem in how you redeem the time.

You're not redeeming it in that,

you know,

think about what's needed to guard your heart.

Well, one of the things,

as a psalmist gives us,

look over to Psalm 139,

because guarding your heart sounds good,

but you know,

one of the ways you guard your heart

is to allow God to inspect your heart.

For God to inspect you

and reveal to you what needs to change.

You know,

oftentimes we want to guard our heart

and use ourselves as the measuring stick.

To use what we want.

But notice here in Psalm 139,

notice what it tells us here.

In Psalm 139,

look at verse 23.

It says,

Search me, O God,

and know my what?

Heart.

Heart.

Try me,

and know my thoughts,

and see if there, what?

Be any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

You know,

I want to encourage you,

if you're going to redeem the time in 2026,

it's going to be built upon

spending time with God

and say,

God,

you need to do an inspection

of my heart

to make sure

that it's where it needs to be.

And where it ought to be.

To say,

God,

is there something

that needs to change?

Do I need a change of perspective?

Do I need a change of attitude?

Do I need to change

the way I look

or accept the truth

of your words?

You know,

all those things

play into that

to redeem

this coming year.

You know,

fourthly,

we're going to see here

is if you're going to redeem

the year,

you need to stay connected.

You need to stay connected.

Look over to Proverbs chapter 20

Proverbs 20 · chapter mention

for a moment.

Proverbs chapter 20,

Proverbs 20 · chapter mention

look down in verse 20.

Proverbs 20,

Proverbs talks a lot

about who we hang out with.

You know,

I imagine all of you,

especially if you're a little older

and for the younger ones,

you might even have your parents

tell you,

you know,

that you've got to be careful

who your friends are.

You know,

the people you hang out with

will influence you.

Oftentimes,

we'll tell kids that,

but you know what?

Adults,

we need the same advice.

We need to be careful

who we're hanging out with.

Look here at Proverbs chapter 2.

Proverbs 2 · chapter mention

Look down at verse 20.

It says,

that thou mayest walk

in the way of what?

Good men

and keep thy path,

keep the path

of righteousness.

Now,

when it talks about

walk in the way

of good men,

walk with others

that want to walk

with God.

You know,

to be around

where people want

to walk

with the Lord.

You know,

look a little later

to Proverbs 13.

Proverbs 13

and verse 20,

the Word of God

tells us this.

It says,

he that walketh

with wise men

shall be wise,

but a companion

of fools

shall be destroyed.

Who you're hanging out

with will impact you.

You'll either be wise

or foolish.

You can either

wisely use 2026

or foolishly use

2026.

The reality

is yours.

Psalm 119

and verse 63

says this,

I'm a companion

of all them

that fear thee

and of them

that keep

thy precepts.

In other words,

we ought to be

connected with those

that want to serve

the Lord.

You know,

if you're a believer,

you ought to have

a desire to be around

other believers.

You know,

often I question

when people say,

I love the Lord,

but they want to hang

around with people

who are contrary to God.

Intentionally choose

to hang around people

that are counter

to the things of God.

Now,

I want you to understand,

we're not talking

about not communicating

or not being friendly

or not being a part,

but you know,

your desire ought to be

to be around

other believers

that are going to

encourage you

in the truth

and not draw you away.

When we get drawn away

by the people

we hang out with,

it influences us.

You know,

1 Corinthians chapter 15

1 Corinthians 15:33

verse 33 tells us this,

Be not deceived,

evil communications

corrupt good manners.

Awake to righteousness

and sin not,

for some have not

the knowledge of God.

I speak this

to your shame.

You know,

think about that.

It's a shame

when you don't want

to be connected

to the things of God.

Be connected around

what God has said

because I want to,

just consider for a moment,

what does that look like?

You know,

one of the best ways

to use time in 2026

is be with God's people

when we're meeting together.

And there was simply this,

be in church.

To be where you ought to be,

consider what the Bible tells us.

Acts chapter 2 verse 42

Acts 2:42

told us this,

in the early church

they didn't have to be told,

it says they continued

steadfastly

in the apostles' doctrine

and fellowship

and breaking of bread

and prayers.

In other words,

they didn't have to be forced

to get together.

You know,

you shouldn't be forced

to come to church.

You know,

there's a lot of people

come to church

for different reasons.

But if you're going to use

your time wisely,

it's having your heart right

to say,

this is where I want to be.

This is where I need to be.

This is what's going to benefit me.

And that's the reason

that the Bible tells us

in Hebrews 10,

he says this in verse 24,

he says,

let us consider one another

to provoke unto love

and good works,

not forsaking the assembling

of ourselves together

as the manner of some is,

but exhorting one another

so much the more

as you see the day approaching.

You know,

we've already talked about that.

The world's getting worse and worse.

If you haven't noticed,

people don't like God.

We're getting into

a more and more wicked society.

Matter of fact,

we have people that

they'll stay put up

for anything but truth.

You can have the Bible

as long as you don't

take it literally.

You can worship God

as long as you don't believe

what God tells you.

You know,

you can say whatever.

You see a rise

of syncretism

within even people

that call themselves believers.

They'll come to church

on Sunday

and play around

with the occult on Monday.

They're not redeeming the time.

We need to be careful

how we're using

that time

that God gives us to it.

Now number five,

if we're going to

redeem 2026,

I think one of the things

we need to do

is a little reflection.

Because if you're saved,

you always need to keep in mind,

remember where God

brought you from.

You know,

this is one of those things

of redeeming time

that helps keep

your mindset correctly

because,

let's put it

in a different term,

humility.

You know,

when you realize

where God found you,

it changes your perspective.

Because you're not going to

think more highly

of yourself

than you ought.

Because you realize

that where God found you,

God found you

as a sinner.

You know,

think about for a moment,

look over to Psalm 103.

You know,

consider what God

has done for us.

You know,

103rd Psalm there

in verse 2

tells us this,

it says,

bless the Lord,

O my soul,

and do what?

What's that say?

Forget not what?

All His benefits.

Well,

what's His benefits?

Notice what it lists.

Look at verse 3,

who forgives

all thine iniquities.

You know,

think about that

for a moment.

If you're saved,

God has forgiven you.

He took the penalty

of your sin

and placed it

upon Himself.

You know,

if we're going to

redeem the time,

it'll help keep

our perspective

correct

if we understand

and always remember

where we've been.

Where were you

when God found you?

Because it'll help us

focus on what we ought to do,

where God brought us from.

You know,

notice this,

He forgives

all our iniquities,

who healeth

all our diseases,

who redeemeth

thy life

from destruction,

who crowneth thee

with loving kindness,

and tender mercies,

who satisfieth thy mouth

with good things,

so that thy youth

is renewed

like the eagles.

You know,

think about that.

What God has given to us,

forget His benefits.

You know,

oftentimes we forget

what God did for us.

It's easy to overlook

and to take things

for granted.

It happens all the time

that people

forget what God has done.

You know,

Isaiah 63

tells us this

in verse 7,

I will mention

the loving kindness

of the Lord

and the praises

of the Lord

according to all

that the Lord

hath bestowed on us.

the great goodness

towards the house

of Israel

which He hath bestowed

on them

according to His mercies,

according to the multitude

of His loving kindness.

You know,

I want you to understand

it's important

to remember

what God has done for you,

where you've come from.

Because think for a moment,

go to Luke chapter 17

Luke 17 · chapter mention

for a moment.

Luke chapter 17,

Luke 17 · chapter mention

you'll find over there

that there's an account

here with Jesus

that's recorded for us.

In Luke chapter 17,

Luke 17 · chapter mention

down in verse 15,

you'll find that Jesus

healed

some lepers.

Now notice what it says,

in one of them,

in verse 15,

when he saw he was healed,

notice what he did,

he turned back

with a loud voice,

glorified God,

and fell on his face

at his feet,

giving him thanks,

and he was a Samaritan,

and Jesus answering said,

were there not

ten clans,

but where are the nine?

I want you to understand,

a lot of people

forget very quickly

what God has done for them.

We need to remind ourselves

what God has done for us,

what God has provided,

what God has given to us.

Look into the Old Testament

for another example.

Go to 2 Chronicles chapter 32.

2 Chronicles 32 · chapter mention

We talked about this

a few Wednesday nights ago,

but I think it's important

as we think about here,

remember where God brought us from,

what God has done for us.

We see here in 2 Chronicles 32,

and you'll look down

in verse 25,

and you'll find a very

important statement here.

It's about King Hezekiah.

You know, Hezekiah was a good king,

but notice Hezekiah forgot something.

The Bible tells us this,

but Hezekiah rendered not again

according to the benefit

done unto him.

Why did he not consider

where he was?

Because his heart was lifted up.

His heart was lifted up,

therefore there was wrath upon him,

upon Judah and Jerusalem.

You know what?

Pride and humility,

because sometimes we can just assume

God is going to do something.

You know, today we have a lot of people

that assume God is going to do something.

Let me give you an example.

When was the last time

that you heard any type of a decent politician

not end their statement

with God bless America?

It rolls off the tongue

and we almost expect to hear it.

The problem is,

is there's a lot of presumption in that.

It's not a bad statement,

it's not a bad request,

but there's a lot of presumption.

The presumption is

that we're worthy of God

giving His blessing to what we do.

Our nation has a lot of problems

that definitely don't deserve God's blessing.

But you know what?

We have been blessed by God,

but I think it's dangerous

when we presume,

be presumptive about His blessing.

Because we'll find God's blessings

are attached to things that we do

and responsibility.

You don't bless disobedience.

You know, what kind of kid do you end up with

if every time they misbehave,

you give them a cookie?

I mean, think about that for a moment.

A good parent,

if you saw a parent

that had a kid disobeying

and you gave them a cookie,

what would be going through your mind?

Would you say that's a good parent

or a bad parent?

You know?

That parent's going to come to reality

pretty quick too

that they weren't a very good parent.

If He's our Heavenly Father,

we ought to understand

that He's going to be a Father to us

and He's going to discipline when we need

and He'll bless when we do good.

You know?

When we understand the things

that we need to in that

and not forget to render not a good

according to the benefit that unto us.

You know, if we're going to redeem the time

in this coming year,

we always need to keep in mind

what God has done for us.

To remind ourselves of the things God has done.

Number six here quickly,

it says, live in light of eternity.

Now we're talking about some of that

on Sunday morning

through the book of Thessalonians,

but I want you to understand

to live in light of what's going to happen.

Not just in light of the present,

but of the future.

Look over to Colossians chapter 3 for a moment.

Colossians 3 · chapter mention

Colossians chapter 3 and verse 2,

Colossians 3 · chapter mention

we find here in the Scripture

that God reminds us very clearly here,

and this goes back to the issue of our heart,

to guard our heart,

because notice what it tells us.

Set your affection on the things above,

not on the things on earth.

To set your affection on the things above.

You know, if we're going to redeem the time,

you need to love the right things.

Because you know what?

What you love affects what you do.

What your heart is set upon

is what you do.

You know, I've observed something over the years

when it comes to people,

and even myself.

If you set something in your mind

that I want this,

I'm going to work for it,

I'm going to do it,

you know what?

You'll give up other things

to make it happen.

Why?

Because you've set your affection upon it.

What are you setting your affection upon?

Is it the things above?

Is it eternity?

Is it standing before the Lord one day?

For reward?

You know, do we understand those things?

You know, look over to Romans chapter 8.

Romans 8 · chapter mention

Romans, Paul here tells us

in a little bit different context here,

but the same application.

You know, we find here in Romans chapter 8,

Romans 8 · chapter mention

look down in verse 4.

It tells us this,

that the righteousness of the law

might be fulfilled in us

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

For they that are after the flesh

do mind the things of the flesh,

but they that are after the Spirit

the things of the Spirit.

For to be carnally minded is death,

but to be spiritually minded

is life and peace.

You know, consider that dynamic.

It's the same thing.

It's your affection.

Is your affection yourself?

Or is your affection the things of God?

We need to understand the importance

of living in light of eternity.

If your eyes are on eternity,

you're not only concerned about your destiny,

but you're concerned about

the destiny of others.

You're going to be concerned about others

knowing and understanding the gospel.

You know, Proverbs 11, 3 tells us this.

It says,

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

and he that winneth souls is wise.

You know, to speak to others about it.

You know, about what God has done.

You know, John chapter 4,

John 4 · chapter mention

Jesus says,

He that reapeth receiveth wages

and gathereth fruit unto eternal life,

that both he that soweth

and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

You know, to sow the seed of the gospel.

You know, James chapter 5 and verse 20

James 5 · chapter mention

tells us this.

Let him know that he which converteth

the sinner from the error of his way

shall save a soul from death

and shall hide a multitude of sins.

You know, we ought to be concerned about others.

You know, in 2026,

if we're going to redeem the time,

we need to put the importance upon

what are we doing to reach somebody else.

What priority is you put?

Is it secondary?

Is it optional if I just happen to bump into it?

We need to consider those things.

And if we're going to redeem the time,

the last thing I want to encourage you here tonight

is this,

and that's to find rest in Christ.

Because we live in a crazy world.

If you're going to redeem the time,

you need the refreshment that comes from being in Christ

and spending time with him.

And to find that, you know, Psalm 37.

Look over there in Psalm 37 in verse 7.

The Bible makes it very clear for us.

Very simple here.

It says this,

rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him.

You know, resting in the Lord is trusting him

as we walk through life.

To say, Lord, I'm going to rest.

I'm going to put myself with you.

I'm going to wait patiently for him, it says.

Fret not thyself of him that prospereth in his way

because the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

You know the reason we need to rest in the Lord this year?

Because there's going to be some things

that don't make sense.

Because you're going to be looking and say,

Lord, why does that person get away with that?

Aren't you going to deal with that?

We get our eyes upon that instead of resting upon the Lord.

Resting upon what he has done for us.

Look over to Matthew chapter 11.

Matthew 11 · chapter mention

Matthew chapter 11, you'll find Jesus

Matthew 11 · chapter mention

tells us this same reality.

He invites us.

He says this in Matthew chapter 11 verse 28.

Matthew 11:28

He says, what?

Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden

and I will give you what?

Rest.

He says, take my yoke upon you and learn of me

for I am meek and lowly in heart

and ye shall find what?

Rest unto your souls.

You know, we live in a world that's disruptive.

A world that's upside down

from where it ought to be because of sin.

If we're going to redeem the time,

we need to find our rest in the Lord.

To trust Him in the year to come.

You know, when we understand that

Hebrews 4 verse 9 tells us this,

Hebrews 4:9

Therefore remaineth therefore a rest

to the people of God.

For he that entereth into his rest,

he also hath ceased from his own work

as God did from his.

You know, when we rest in the Lord,

we do what we're responsible for

and trust God for the rest.

That God's going to make up the difference.

He is the one that's going to be there.

He's the one that's going to accomplish

those things in our life.

Now I want you to stop and consider,

even tonight or tomorrow,

to look down this list

as you get ready to enter into a new year

and consider those things.

How are you going to intentionally use

or redeem this coming year?

What are you going to do to redeem it?

It's going to be redeemed one way or another.

It's either going to be redeemed wisely

or redeemed foolishly.

The question is, what are you going to do?

What direction is it going to be?

Some things to consider

as we consider walking here in 2026.

Will it be a wise walk

that knows the will of the Lord?

You know, back where we started there

in Ephesians chapter 5,

Ephesians 5 · chapter mention

it talks about that reality

that we know the will of the Lord.

Of what God would have

or will be consumed foolishly.

You know, think and consider

as we get ready to start a new year,

how are you going to use your 365 days?

How are you going to use your 8,760 hours?

How are you going to use your 525,600 minutes

that you have in a coming year?

I want to encourage you seven things

to redeem the year to come.

Because it will make a difference,

not only for you, but for others.

Let's pray.