Welcome To A New Year!
” What Are You Going To Do With It?”
I feel like 2014 went by like a speeding train! It\’s 2015. It\’s A New Year.
“What are you going to do with it?” A voice whispered.
That was a good question. What am I going to do with it?
As I age, the years seem to be passing by at much more rapid pace. There\’s so many things I want to do yet…so many dreams yet to see fulfilled. There are still things left undone from last year…
I\’ve made many resolutions in the past – many of which came to naught. I\’m sure you have as well. Should we then not make resolutions?
Last year I successfully achieved several of my resolutions. While others…not so much!
Do we focus on all the things we failed to accomplish or be inspired by the things that we were able to do?
“But what if I didn\’t see through a single resolution I made?” You ask.
“Try again,” I say. True failure comes when you quit trying altogether. The Lord\’s mercies are NEW every morning.
Here\’s SEVEN simple steps that I\’m using to help me let go of the old and get on with the new and carry through on some resolutions:
- REFLECT – Take a few moments to reflect on the past year. The Lord tell us in Haggai 1:5-7 to consider our ways. This is not something for you to get stuck in or beat yourself up about. Just honest reflection. You may have had a year of circumstances that were out of your control. And/or there may be areas you simply could have done better in. There are projects that I didn\’t get completed due to procrastination and not making it an area of priority in my life. As I reflected, I\’ve examined my heart and been honest about where I\’ve failed to do my part. There are books I know God has called me write, and things He\’s called me to do that I haven\’t done. I take responsibility for my behavior, instead of making excuses and playing the blame game. Lamentations 3:40 instructs, Let us examine and probe our ways, And let us return to the LORD. Learn from your past, don\’t let it define you.
- REPENT – Once you\’ve reflected and taken responsibility simply ask the Lord to forgive you. It could go something like this; Father, forgive me for procrastination and always putting off what I know I need and want to do; or forgive me for not setting priorities; forgive my lack of discipline, laziness or _________(fill in the blank). But, if we confess our sins (faults)to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins… (1 John 1:9). Now, there\’s another part to this. Repent means to change your mind or direction. So this requires doing something differently, so that you can have different results. Observe and correct.
- RELEASE – Let it go. You can\’t go back and undo the past or do it over. But you can go forward. Past failures can paralyze you if you let them. Do as Paul recommends and release them…,but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. (Phillipians 3:13, NLT) It\’s a new day. Again, learn from your past – don\’t let it define you.
- RECOGNIZE – It\’s a new day! Recognize that the Word tell us that our Father is making all things new. We are new creatures in Christ. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (Isaiah 43:9) Recognize who you are in HIM. You are a winner. You are an overcomer. You can do all things through Christ, who gives you strength. Recognize that God is for you, not against you and He wants you to succeed. Recognize that you need HIS help.
- REQUEST – To request means to appeal for help. Seek the Lord. “The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.” (Psalm 69:32) Ask HIM what goals, dreams and visions He wants you to pursue. He’ll tell you and He can lead you to the plan that will help you to reach your goals and experience your dreams. The above scripture says that He will CREATE rivers in the dry wasteland, even the dry wasteland of your dreams. ASK Him, to help you redeem the time you\’ve lost or wasted.
- RECOMMIT – Commit your self again to your dreams, visions and goals. If you want to lose 10 pounds this year don’t just say it – have a plan to achieve it and commit yourself to the plan. Do you want to read the Bible through this year? How do you plan to do that? Do you want to make more money? Be a better parent or mate? Get closer to God? Proverbs 21:5 says, The Plans of the diligent produce abundance. Recommit yourself to your goals and dreams and then resolve yourself to seeing them through. Above all, “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you” . Psalm 37:5
- RESOLVE – Make a decision, determine to do it. Make your mind up. That’s what resolution is – it’s determination, tenacity and steadfastness. It’s refusing to quit in the face of adversity. Even in the face of failure. Even if you’ve made the same resolution the past five years in a row and haven’t stuck to it. It\’s a New Year – What Are You Going To Do With It?
May He Give You All The Desires of Your Heart and Make Your Plans Succeed
Psalm 20:4
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