No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one, otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. Luke 5:36

 Years ago I replaced some rotten boards on a set of stairs to make it safe. After my work, I looked at my work and was disappointed I didn’t replace the old boards (although they were in decent shape) with new ones to match. It worked, but looked funny, and eventually those old boards would rot and need to be replaced sooner than the new boards I just put down.

 As we head into the new year, 2026, many of you will develop of list of new year’s resolutions to make improvements to your life. That’s a great idea, but they won’t come to fruition if you keep the same things in your life you want to either get away from or improve upon. Like trying to quit smoking won’t help if you keep a lighter in your pocket, lose weight but still visit the “all you can eat buffet”, stop gossiping but still connect with those who fuel that fire. There has to be an inward change in order to change your outward actions.

 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. Luke 5:37

 Maybe your desire is to come closer to God. I’m right there with you! In order to become more holy, you must accept the fact that all of your sins are hated by God and all efforts should be put forth to avoid them at all costs. Sacrificing your desires for Gods is paramount in your willingness to grow in holiness. Saying no to sin and do what is pleasing to Him will develop into a routine habit over time, and you’ll find yourself living more for the glory of God than for yourself. Blessings come in abundance when you live for God. And don’t you want to be blessed by God? I sure do. Let’s make a concerted effort to live for Him daily in this new year so others can see Christ in you. Happy New Year!