#wisdom            #seekgodsplans    #newyearsresolutions #newbeginnings

picture courtesy Omar Reyes @  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

What expectations do you have for the new year?
Will it be better? Will we become better people?
This time of year we are supposed to set new goals and resolve to be better people.
This always sounds like a good idea.
Right?  But do we stop to consider what it is that God has planned for us?
Have we prayed about what He has been doing upstream for the blessings he wants to send to us?
If not, then we need to stop and think about what it is to be successful in the new year.
Since the fall in the garden, man has thought he had “a better idea.”

The psalmist asks, “Who is Wise?”
“Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things, and consider the lovingkindness of the Lord”
Ps. 107:43

“The naive believes everything but the sensible man considers his steps” Proverbs 14:15

“Listen carefully, those of you who make your plans and say, “We are traveling to this city in the next few days.  We’ll stay there for one year while our business explodes and revenue  is up. The reality is you have no idea where your life will take you tomorrow.  You are like a mist that appears one moment and then vanishes another.  It would be best to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will and we live long enough, we hope to do this project or pursue that dream’. But your current speech indicates an arrogance that does not acknowledge the One who controls the universe, and this kind of bit talking is the epitome of evil.  So if you know the right way to live and ignore it, it is sin–plain and simple.” (James 4:13-17 The Voice.)

Soon we will be turning over a new page!  A page on a brand new year.  A fresh start?  Or will we continue doing the same things over and over with the same results?  As you have probably heard that is the definition of insanity.

What can we do to make this year different from the last year or the year before?  Maybe you have already set your plan in motion.  I have long since stopped making new resolutions for each year.

Our prayer is that we walk together seeking God’s will for each day.  May we learn to love better, be kinder to one another and grow in the family of God.   Our goal for this blog is that we are an encouragement to one another in our walk as Christian brothers and sisters.

This year my word was “focus”.  I need to keep it again in 2017!  I continue to lose my “focus” on so many levels.  My focus was to be on whatever is pure, lovely…. Of good report.  Remember we spent several weeks in Philippians.

This year my prayer is that I will be “fruitful”.  Fruitful as a servant. Fruitful as a teacher.
What does it mean?  I am not sure.  My desire is to give the reigns to the Lord and let him direct my steps.
My questions? What will “fruitfulness” look like this year?
Where will God lead to accomplish “fruitfulness”?
“The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NASB)

Our goal should always be to please the Father.  That was Jesus’ goal in his life. (John 8:29) “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

Colossians 1:10 “Those who bear fruit in every good work and increase in the knowledge of God are pleasing to God.”

Hopefully, 2017 brings new adventures, new treasures to find and new friends with whom we can share God’s love.  Yes, new beginnings should excite us!!

Happy New Year!!

Keep looking up and treadin on.

https://youtu.be/AwYv6yMuPaA