Sunday, December 31, 2017

GOALS, PROMISES, AND PRAYERS

Most of us have grown cynical about New Year's resolutions. But if we are pressed we would admit that they could be good things. Have you ever kept one? If you have, you surely think that was a good thing. But why are they so difficult to keep? I believe the fundamental problem is our approach to resolutions. We make them, and try to keep them in the flesh.
Goals are great things for Christian Believers. But they need to spring from our relationship with Christ. I am intrigued by the title, Habits of The Heart, although I have not read the book. I recently looked it up on Amazon.com. I actually found two items, Habits of The Heart, individualism and commitment in American life, and Habits of The Heart, 365 daily exercises for living like Jesus. The latter has to be better.
But as most of us can attest, even godly goals can be approached in the flesh. It is better to begin with promises. Ask God to direct you to promises He wants you to focus on as you begin the year. You will have to spend serious time reading your Bible to do this right. Then, memorise the Scripture or Scriptures God is directing you to.
Finally, the most important factor in keeping a New Year's commitment is prayer. Don't just say, “I will do this,” or “I will do this if it kills me.” Pray, “Lord, I need You to produce this in my life.” The reminder on your mirror might read, “Father, glorify Your name as You do this in me.”




Thursday, December 21, 2017

Finding Refuge at Christmas

We are more familiar with refugees than we once were. Millions of them are fleeing from war zones, especially in the Middle East. In Luke 2 we see Mary and Joseph finding refuge in the stable of an inn. We too find Refuge in the Lord our God. Psalm 46 begins,
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the Earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah”

Monday, I had to put some letters in the mail that I wrote over the weekend. They were important. But I could not find where I had put them. I searched frantically for about an hour praying constantly with diminishing faith. By the time I found them I was pretty frazzled. And I felt like I needed to go through the rest of the day in panic mode and mood. But even though I was running late I forced myself to kneel and spend a little time thanking God that I finally found the letters. As my heart rate slowed the words from Psalm 46:10 came to mind. “Be still and know that I am God.”
I am reminded of Luke 2:19.
“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
Let me encourage you to try to take a little time in this frantic season to treasure the wonder of Christmas, pondering what God has done on the earth.

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/
http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

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