I read the blog, Between Here and Home, pretty much everyday. While I don't know Christy in person, she has really encouraged me in my walk with the Lord more than she will ever know. I wanted to pass along this particular blog she wrote regarding 2009. Its so encouraging and such a godly way to start the new year. The one thing that I would add to what she says is that as we look at the empty calendar for the next year....nothing written, nothing known....we can know that over the next 363 days, even though we will not know the trials or joys we will face, God knows. He goes before us!!! He knows what lies ahead and has already seen each day. We can trust Him to carry us through anything we face. I think the biggest reminder I have for myself is to praise Him as He carries me through the joys of life. So often, I get caught up in the excitement of life and realize later that I am able to have those joys because He gave them to me. Because of His grace alone....nothing I deserve, but His amazing love for me. Some years we go through and don't see many joys, but that doesn't mean there weren't blessings. Trials are blessings!!! They are blessings because we get to see God work! WOW!! He allows us to see Him working in our lives. We have the opportunity to serve Him and trust Him! We have the opportunity to be more like Christ at the end of the trial. So, no matter what kind of year you and I have, I pray that we rejoice in ALL the blessings (the joys and the trials)!
I never really made New Year's Resolutions until New Years Day 2004. I have actually kept them too! So, I am keeping with that tradition I have given myself. Here are my resolutions for 2009:
1. Live Healthy! ~ This includes my spiritual life and having that personal relationship with Christ....letting Him into all areas of my life and having Him be my best friend. Eating less and healthier....I don't want to "diet" for the rest of my life! Workout more...not make excuses why I "can't" or "don't have time." This is the only body God gives me and I want to glorify Him with it in all areas.
2. Love my family! ~ I know this sounds like a "given," but I think that most of us take for granted of our families. We worry more about serving our churches and communities than we do our own families. We take advantage of them and expect them to serve us. We love them, but also hold them to certain standards. I want to love with no strings attached. I don't really know what this looks like yet, but I have been very convicted about it lately and know its something that God wants me to work on.
I haven't picked my verse for the year....but I did find one on a website that gives you your "birth verse." The first time I read mine, I didn't really like it.....it didn't "SPEAK" to me. But once I read it again, it really fit with my 2nd resolution. Here is my birth verse:
Proverbs 8:21 (NIV)
"bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full."
I want to bestow wealth on those that love ME! Why wouldn't I??? To make their treasuries full...not necessarily monetary, but giving them back love. Making them feel "full" on love! What better witness of Christ can we have than to love as He did. When we love and serve others, we no longer appear to be the same as the rest of the world. People see a difference! That difference is Christ and we can share that with them!
Two of my favorite verses are:
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
I love this verse because in both of my resolutions, I don't want to conform to the world's standards. In all I do, I want Christ to be seen and glorified! I want others to know Him. If I am living as the world does, then no one will see Christ in me. Why live healthy? Because taking care of what God has given me is not only being a good steward of my possessions, but its the vessel that can carry out the gospel. Why love my family? Because, serving and loving show Christ and lead people to Him.
John 3:17
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
God is a loving God! He didn't send Christ to condemn everyone and make us feel unworthy. That is what Satan does. God IS love....God IS truth! He desires that ALL people be saved. I want to represent the loving God that HE IS!!! Not the "god" the world tries to say he is. He is my Savior! And He can be your Savior too! No sin is too horrible or too "bad." His forgiveness is uncomprehendable and so amazing and he extends it to every person. All you have to do is accept it.
All you have to do for salvation is BELIEVE that Christ took your place and paid for YOUR sin on the cross and rose three days later defeating sin! Its that simple! BELIEF! God sent His Son for you! Christ lowered Himself for you!
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever BELIEVES in Him will have everlasting life.
I never really made New Year's Resolutions until New Years Day 2004. I have actually kept them too! So, I am keeping with that tradition I have given myself. Here are my resolutions for 2009:
1. Live Healthy! ~ This includes my spiritual life and having that personal relationship with Christ....letting Him into all areas of my life and having Him be my best friend. Eating less and healthier....I don't want to "diet" for the rest of my life! Workout more...not make excuses why I "can't" or "don't have time." This is the only body God gives me and I want to glorify Him with it in all areas.
2. Love my family! ~ I know this sounds like a "given," but I think that most of us take for granted of our families. We worry more about serving our churches and communities than we do our own families. We take advantage of them and expect them to serve us. We love them, but also hold them to certain standards. I want to love with no strings attached. I don't really know what this looks like yet, but I have been very convicted about it lately and know its something that God wants me to work on.
I haven't picked my verse for the year....but I did find one on a website that gives you your "birth verse." The first time I read mine, I didn't really like it.....it didn't "SPEAK" to me. But once I read it again, it really fit with my 2nd resolution. Here is my birth verse:
Proverbs 8:21 (NIV)
"bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full."
I want to bestow wealth on those that love ME! Why wouldn't I??? To make their treasuries full...not necessarily monetary, but giving them back love. Making them feel "full" on love! What better witness of Christ can we have than to love as He did. When we love and serve others, we no longer appear to be the same as the rest of the world. People see a difference! That difference is Christ and we can share that with them!
Two of my favorite verses are:
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
I love this verse because in both of my resolutions, I don't want to conform to the world's standards. In all I do, I want Christ to be seen and glorified! I want others to know Him. If I am living as the world does, then no one will see Christ in me. Why live healthy? Because taking care of what God has given me is not only being a good steward of my possessions, but its the vessel that can carry out the gospel. Why love my family? Because, serving and loving show Christ and lead people to Him.
John 3:17
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
God is a loving God! He didn't send Christ to condemn everyone and make us feel unworthy. That is what Satan does. God IS love....God IS truth! He desires that ALL people be saved. I want to represent the loving God that HE IS!!! Not the "god" the world tries to say he is. He is my Savior! And He can be your Savior too! No sin is too horrible or too "bad." His forgiveness is uncomprehendable and so amazing and he extends it to every person. All you have to do is accept it.
All you have to do for salvation is BELIEVE that Christ took your place and paid for YOUR sin on the cross and rose three days later defeating sin! Its that simple! BELIEF! God sent His Son for you! Christ lowered Himself for you!
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever BELIEVES in Him will have everlasting life.
5 comments:
I read her post as well and was very encouraged and MOTIVATED by it! We are in the same boat! :)
Hi Beth...
I was just going through the names that were linked on Sarah Mae's post. I have to be honest and tell you that I don't go through each one and read them all (I have to be careful of my computer time you know!) but I was caught by your name and wanted to come visit.
Thank you so much for what you have said. I was a bit surprised when I came across my name. There have people in my life who have encouraged me as well and I am so grateful. My blog was just my own way of journaling my journey and to know that I have encouraged someone is humbling to say the least.
You have some great resolutions listed here and you can honor and glorify Jesus in them all... go for it!
It was a privilege getting to touch base with you here today. I hope that this is a year marked with many blessings for you and that you are drawn to Him more than ever before... pursue Him, know and experience Him, and love Him!
Thank you so much for your very inspirational and motivational post! I so enjoy the encouragement I receive from everyone's posts. Each one is different and yet, they each touch my heart. Thank you again and God Bless!
So nice to meet you and nice to know I am not alone in my addiction!
My husband and had to catch our breath when we saw that Deanna was returning! Drama, drama, drama! I love it all!
Hi,
I just wanted to thank you for your kind words about my daughter. It's hard as a Mom to sit back and let her have to endure these things but I know that God has a great plan for her and all I can do is encourage her to stay strong.
I just wanted to say hi and thank you!
Blessings,
Kim
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