New Year, New Me
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Proverbs 16:3
Setting goals for self-improvement each year is a personal process, the results of which we do not always care to share. While telling your spouse that you plan to get that life insurance policy (which is already way overdue) finalized right after the holidays holds you accountable, it also makes you feel lazier if February rolls around and you fail to make that call.
I have always recommended accountability partners and prayer partners. However, having someone who knows your wishes, wants, dreams, and needs, can be a blessing, but also a curse. Very few of us appreciate being held to account. We will always find more people in a larger group of worshipers versus a smaller group of learners. Small group Bible studies, Sunday school, and ladies' and men's groups are usually designed around discussion and, yes, the much-feared follow-up: "I hope they don't call on me." "I hope I don't have to report on my progress - or lack thereof."
If you are squared away, if you are driven, if you are goal-oriented and task-focused, this writing may not be helpful to you at all. If you do not need the start of the New Year to get you back on track, I congratulate you. Go back to work. Don't let the rest of us hold you back. Okay now that the perfectionists are back on task, us schlubs can try to find some help to keep us motivated and focused for more than the first ten days of the year.
This year, consider these Bible verses and have peace in knowing that if it is God's will for your resolution to be fulfilled, He will enable you to accomplish it. If it His will, then His Power is available. So stop going it alone. I have to drive to my gym. I do not simply walk into another room of my house. On my way there, I thank God for getting me out of the bed with health enough to go and a desire to try. Then I say, "God, I know it is Your will for me to be as healthy and fit as I can be, so, God, I am doing my part today. Please fuel my genes and cells to give me energy for the workout and help it to be productive."
To me, everything we set out to do has a faith/God component and a work/human component. Ask and trust Him to do His part as you strive to do yours.
1) Study with diligence
"Study to show yourself approved." (2 Timothy 2:15).
"Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you." (1 Peter 3:15).
2) Pray constantly
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without hesitation." (James 1:5).
"You have not, because you ask not." (James 4:2).
Jesus said, "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24).
I cannot emphasize enough the invaluable importance of Bible study and prayer regardless of your goal, task, need, etc.. Both lay the foundation to build everything upon. I assume that you are a little slack in both areas. Get this right first and watch the rest of your life fall into place.
3) Don't be discouraged by failures
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9).
4) Remember others are watching
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works and in your teaching show integrity and dignity." (Titus 2:7).
When working on any personal goals, it is critical to be well balanced and whole (as whole as possible). This may require us to love others, love and forgive ourselves, or help someone else instead of just focusing on yourself. A holistic approach to life is necessary to achieve our personal goals. Don't get so locked in on one thing that you lose sight of the big picture of what your life is with and in Christ. Make Him the most important part of your life and your life will be as perfect as it can be while still on this earth. You won't be perfect and neither will everything around you be perfect, but His fullness will complete you.
In Christ,
Pastor Todd
Proverbs 16:3
Setting goals for self-improvement each year is a personal process, the results of which we do not always care to share. While telling your spouse that you plan to get that life insurance policy (which is already way overdue) finalized right after the holidays holds you accountable, it also makes you feel lazier if February rolls around and you fail to make that call.
I have always recommended accountability partners and prayer partners. However, having someone who knows your wishes, wants, dreams, and needs, can be a blessing, but also a curse. Very few of us appreciate being held to account. We will always find more people in a larger group of worshipers versus a smaller group of learners. Small group Bible studies, Sunday school, and ladies' and men's groups are usually designed around discussion and, yes, the much-feared follow-up: "I hope they don't call on me." "I hope I don't have to report on my progress - or lack thereof."
If you are squared away, if you are driven, if you are goal-oriented and task-focused, this writing may not be helpful to you at all. If you do not need the start of the New Year to get you back on track, I congratulate you. Go back to work. Don't let the rest of us hold you back. Okay now that the perfectionists are back on task, us schlubs can try to find some help to keep us motivated and focused for more than the first ten days of the year.
This year, consider these Bible verses and have peace in knowing that if it is God's will for your resolution to be fulfilled, He will enable you to accomplish it. If it His will, then His Power is available. So stop going it alone. I have to drive to my gym. I do not simply walk into another room of my house. On my way there, I thank God for getting me out of the bed with health enough to go and a desire to try. Then I say, "God, I know it is Your will for me to be as healthy and fit as I can be, so, God, I am doing my part today. Please fuel my genes and cells to give me energy for the workout and help it to be productive."
To me, everything we set out to do has a faith/God component and a work/human component. Ask and trust Him to do His part as you strive to do yours.
1) Study with diligence
"Study to show yourself approved." (2 Timothy 2:15).
"Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you." (1 Peter 3:15).
2) Pray constantly
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without hesitation." (James 1:5).
"You have not, because you ask not." (James 4:2).
Jesus said, "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24).
I cannot emphasize enough the invaluable importance of Bible study and prayer regardless of your goal, task, need, etc.. Both lay the foundation to build everything upon. I assume that you are a little slack in both areas. Get this right first and watch the rest of your life fall into place.
3) Don't be discouraged by failures
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9).
4) Remember others are watching
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works and in your teaching show integrity and dignity." (Titus 2:7).
When working on any personal goals, it is critical to be well balanced and whole (as whole as possible). This may require us to love others, love and forgive ourselves, or help someone else instead of just focusing on yourself. A holistic approach to life is necessary to achieve our personal goals. Don't get so locked in on one thing that you lose sight of the big picture of what your life is with and in Christ. Make Him the most important part of your life and your life will be as perfect as it can be while still on this earth. You won't be perfect and neither will everything around you be perfect, but His fullness will complete you.
In Christ,
Pastor Todd
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1 Comment
Great stuff going into the new year! I really like the portion regarding failures. Given the sin nature we are born into, it's not a matter of "If" you fail, but "When" you fail in your walk with Christ. And in those moments, the enemy loves to keep you there in shame for as long as possible as a mere distraction to the rebuilding and restoration that God has in store for those failures. While attending the youth winter retreat, the speaker referred to the passage where Jesus restored Peter when He asked him three times, "Do you love me?" Did you know that the phrase "coal fire" or "charcoal fire" is only mentioned twice in the New Testament? Once when Peter warmed his hands by the fire as he denied Christ three times, the other when Jesus prepared breakfast for him and would soon ask that vital phrase of restoration, "Do you love me?" It's amazing to me that God meets us right in the middle of those failures in an effort of restoration. I pray for a deeper relationship with Him as we start this new year and a movement of His Holy Spirit throughout our congregation!