New Years and New Beginnings

It's the new year and as it is all the time when January rolls around, people try to make the most out of it by striving to make bold new starts. Whether it is giving up a bad habit or trying to lose weight, people see January 1 as the time to get serious.

Did you know that the most popular new years resolutions are:

• Lose Weight
• Manage Debt
• Save Money
• Get a Better Job
• Get Fit
• Get a Better Education
• Drink Less Alcohol
• Quit Smoking Now
• Reduce Stress Overall
• Reduce Stress at Work
• Take a Trip

Those are all great resolutions, but where are doing resolutions to be more like Christ fall in? It would be a shame to do some of these most popular resolutions but fail to grow closer to Christ in any way.

Mark 6:33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." If we seek him and strive for him first and foremost, all these other things we strive for or need will fall into place.

Therefore, my personal goal for 2010 is to never miss a day without spending time in Scripture and Prayer. It may be generic or common, but I am striving for it and hope not to fall short so that I can benefit and those around me can as well.

So what are you striving for this year? How can you draw closer to Christ this year? Make a goal and strive towards Him.

Source:

http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New_Years_Resolutions.shtml

It's that time of Year again!

Can you remember the New Years Resolution you made last year?  If, what was it?

Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Timothy 4:8

What do these verses tell you about the importance of being physically fit?

What do these verses tell you about the importance of being spiritually fit?

  

It's that time of year again!  January is quickly approaching and this is the month that we typically make these bold and ambious goals to either diet, exercise, start something new, etc. These are very good things to do and I strongly encourage you to do this. For me, the problem isn’t coming up with a goal or task to do. Rather, it is actually getting out of my routine and actually doing it. For instance, Anne keeps encouraging me to exercise and Rick Huber wants to help me come up with a healthy eating plan. It’s not that I don’t want to do them, it is just getting myself out of the same daily routine I am comfortable and familiar with.

Working out and exercising are good goals to go after as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that we are to honor God with our bodies. However, in 1 Timothy 4:8, Paul also writes that although taking care of ourselves is good, spiritual nurishment is of even greater importance. “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

What holds you back from setting goals and accomplishing them this year? And, what kinds of goals are you striving for? My encouragement for you, as we begin this new year, is to really look at setting goals that push us closer to Christ.

Maybe it is having a family Bible Passage of the week that your family can read on their own and then meet up to discuss at the end of the week. Maybe it is to take notes during your pastors or youth pastor's messages and apply 1 thing from it that week.

Whatever your goal may be, I hope and pray that take some time and really process how you and your family can benefit this year with some Christ-centered goals.

Application:

Write down 1 goal you can do this year that will push you closer to Christ.  Then, share your goal with someone else so they can be praying for you and encouraging you in your goal.