New Year, New _____
Most resolutions fail.
Really, let's not kid ourselves.
But ask yourself this: Who are you now?
Now answer this: Who do you wish to be tomorrow?
Pay no mind that it's January 1st, 2012. Some of you may have rung in this new year snuggled up on the couch with sparkling grape juice (my personal favorite), pizza, and movies like my sister and I did. Or some may have celebrated with a large party of friends, complete with a countdown and New Years kisses after the ball drop. But maybe, you reminisced around the kitchen table with loved ones, remembering those lost recently. Wherever you find yourself, I hope you find peace in knowing today; Jan 1 of 2012 is another day.
We have another day, another chance. Wherever on the spectrum your New Year's resolution happens to fall, I hope you have the following things to help you get there. Let's face it; we all will fail without help.
1.) Grace. Whatever tomorrow brings, there is peace in knowing that God cares for us and loves us enough to redeem us. Grace is the hope in which we can live, being renewed day by day. Like the gifts we received last week, it must be accepted. Sure, people live without it, but a contentment and peace beyond this world makes it possible to face anything. Only with God is this possible.
2.) Love. I’m a believer in the buddy system. We don’t do anything alone, even if we think we must. God goes before us. But we have mothers, fathers, friends and neighbors to help us through. There is an immense bond holding the body of Christ together, and it’s love. Seek out that accountability partner for whatever your goal may be, and be willing to hold another accountable in love.
3.) Perspective. Bring your goals to God and let Him align them with His purposes. I’m still learning what this means so we can do it together. Let’s start by looking to Scripture. Some of you have goals to lose the 10 pounds, exercise 3 days a week, be kinder to that coworker, learn the fiddle, win that heart, read more, or worry less. I’m with ya, but I think it’s important to consider your goals carefully. Do they align with God’s?
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:13
He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. Song of Solomon 8:4
Philippians 3:13-14 - Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 2:20 - My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Matthew 6:33-34 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Proverbs 3:6 - In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
So who do you wish to be tomorrow? I’m not convinced of the whole Maya calendar predictions (consult the Jan 9th Time magazine for a further explanation…Maya, not Mayan :) ) but whatever this year brings, let’s remember:
Mark 13:34-37
It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.
If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"
***please don’t think I’m a genius verse memorizer. I had to consult google.
Really, let's not kid ourselves.
But ask yourself this: Who are you now?
Now answer this: Who do you wish to be tomorrow?
Pay no mind that it's January 1st, 2012. Some of you may have rung in this new year snuggled up on the couch with sparkling grape juice (my personal favorite), pizza, and movies like my sister and I did. Or some may have celebrated with a large party of friends, complete with a countdown and New Years kisses after the ball drop. But maybe, you reminisced around the kitchen table with loved ones, remembering those lost recently. Wherever you find yourself, I hope you find peace in knowing today; Jan 1 of 2012 is another day.
We have another day, another chance. Wherever on the spectrum your New Year's resolution happens to fall, I hope you have the following things to help you get there. Let's face it; we all will fail without help.
1.) Grace. Whatever tomorrow brings, there is peace in knowing that God cares for us and loves us enough to redeem us. Grace is the hope in which we can live, being renewed day by day. Like the gifts we received last week, it must be accepted. Sure, people live without it, but a contentment and peace beyond this world makes it possible to face anything. Only with God is this possible.
2.) Love. I’m a believer in the buddy system. We don’t do anything alone, even if we think we must. God goes before us. But we have mothers, fathers, friends and neighbors to help us through. There is an immense bond holding the body of Christ together, and it’s love. Seek out that accountability partner for whatever your goal may be, and be willing to hold another accountable in love.
3.) Perspective. Bring your goals to God and let Him align them with His purposes. I’m still learning what this means so we can do it together. Let’s start by looking to Scripture. Some of you have goals to lose the 10 pounds, exercise 3 days a week, be kinder to that coworker, learn the fiddle, win that heart, read more, or worry less. I’m with ya, but I think it’s important to consider your goals carefully. Do they align with God’s?
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:13
He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. Song of Solomon 8:4
Philippians 3:13-14 - Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 2:20 - My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Matthew 6:33-34 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Proverbs 3:6 - In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
So who do you wish to be tomorrow? I’m not convinced of the whole Maya calendar predictions (consult the Jan 9th Time magazine for a further explanation…Maya, not Mayan :) ) but whatever this year brings, let’s remember:
Mark 13:34-37
It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.
If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"
***please don’t think I’m a genius verse memorizer. I had to consult google.
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