In the ancient world there were no glass or plastic bottles. Instead they would put liquids into animal skins that were sewn together and used like canteens. Eventually these skins would become brittle, and would break, spilling out the liquid.

Jesus once referred to these wineskins to teach us about change. He said, "New wine must be poured into new wineskins" (Luke 5:38, NIV). This is a principle of life: new situations always require new structures. A new job often requires you to learn new skills. A new relationship often requires new ways of relating.

What are your old wineskins? Old ways of thinking? Old habits? They could be outdated ways of acting, or talking, or responding that worked well in the past, but aren’t useful or helpful anymore.

The beginning of a new year is a great time to re-examine your life. As we begin 2005, will you hold on to old wineskins or will you abandon them for new ones?

It is safe to assume that you will face three new “wines” in 2005: new problems, new pressures, and new possibilities. To handle these new challenges, you’ll need the new “wineskins” of creativity, conviction, and courage.

New problems will require creativity
Unfortunately you’re bound to have more problems in 2005. The good news is they won’t be same problems you had in 2004. You get a whole new set! These new problems will require new solutions, which require creativity. Your old ways of thinking and relating, your old attitudes may not work anymore. That’s why the Bible says, "The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them" (Proverbs 18:15, LB).

Most people spend more time and energy trying to get around problems than they do solving them. Instead of avoiding or ignoring your problems in 2005, ask God to give you the creativity to solve them.

A few years ago, a 105 year-old man was interviewed on The Today Show. The reporter commented, "I'll bet you've seen a lot of change in your lifetime." The man replied, "Yes, and I've been against every one of them!"

To stay creative you must intentionally avoid a “hardening of the attitudes.” You've got to keep growing and developing. Attitudes are like diapers: every so often they need to be changed or they start to stink!

New pressures will require conviction
Conviction is a willingness to stand up for what you believe. Romans 12:2 (NLT) says, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." Before you get too far into 2005, I suggest you sit down and write out what values are going to be important to you in the New Year. What will be important to you this year?

In the 80’s Boy George rose to the height of popularity singing "I'm a man without conviction." But today, you don’t hear much about him. Why? Because you don’t last in life without conviction. More than ever before, in 2005, we’re going to need men and women of conviction, who say, "I’m going to do the right thing no matter what the consequences are.”

New possibilities will require courage
Each New Year brings new possibilities -- opportunities for growth. These are exciting times to be alive. I’m sure that God wants to do great things in your life in this New Year -- but it won't happen automatically. You've got to step out in faith. There's always an element of risk. What new opportunities do you have to grow this year? Are you willing to take the risks involved? Hosea 10:12 (TEV) says, "Plow new ground for yourselves, plant righteousness, and reap the blessing your devotion to me will produce.”

What are you planning to harvest this next year? Three hundred sixty five days from today, how will you be any different? If you want to be different, you've got to start cultivating some new habits, activities, and relationships now! Success doesn't just happen. It takes effort.

What do you want to be different in your family, your finances, or your walk with Christ? Whatever you sow you'll reap. If you don't sow anything, you won't reap anything. I dare you to do something different with your life this year! Get off the bench and get in the game.

One of the most common mistakes Christians make is that they think they can live their lives off a single commitment they made years ago. My spiritual birthday is Jan. 23, 1960. The first 10 years of my Christian life, I tried to live on the basis of that one decision. I thought it was enough to carry me the rest of my life. I wondered why I wasn't growing as a Christian and becoming all that God wanted me to be. I prayed, but I didn't see that many answers. Then in 1970, I discovered that the Christian life is a continual renewal and daily recommitment to Christ. It’s not just a once-for-all decision.

As we begin another year, I don't know a better time for each of us to recommit ourselves to Jesus Christ and his purpose for our lives. I’m doing it, and I hope you will too!