But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I

may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to
testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts:20:24
As 2015 draws to a close, inevitably people
begin talking about New Years resolutions.
Resolutions are funny things, because they are
generally dictated by negative trends in our
lives we want to attempt to correct.
We resolve to lose weight because we gained
weight. We resolve to become more organized
because, quite frankly, we have become less
organized. We resolve to find a new job
because we cannot see the joy in the one we
have. In a million different ways we try to use
this time year to create a positive outcome out
of our negative actions.

telling you that sometimes it's not good to just

do nothing, recharge the batteries and get
ready for the next BIG season, but I want to
make sure I, we, have balance.
John Ortberg, author ofThe Life You've Always
Wanted, says that "a rhythm for living is
important so we can grow more intimately
connected to God." To tap into our source of
strength, faith, and joy we need to have
rhythms of running and resting that include
God in them.

1 Corinthians 2:2
"For I resolved to know nothing among you
except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

If we don't know how we are spending our

time we won't know if we are spending time
with God. This is important because we
become more like God's children as we spend
time with Him (Romans 8:29).

The Apostle Paul is clear that he resolved to do

only one thing intimately, powerfully and
clearly. This one thing, Christ crucified, would
drive and shape his life and in the same way it
ought to drive and shape our lives.

3. Be Aware of Yourself and Others.

You will struggle to do things of great value for
others unless you are intimately aware of
yourself. Start by asking yourself these simple
questions:

1. Practice a DEPTH of Faith

Maybe it is reading the Bible in a year for the
first time, journaling, attending a men's group,
a ladies study, serving in church or setting
aside dedicated time to pray. The point is how
will you up your game from 2015?

Oftentimes I meet people who tell me they are

stagnant in their faith, yet they have not sought
or served in anyway over and above what they
did the year before. The call of the Christian is
to grow. It is our need.(2 Thessalonians 1:3)
Peter tells us:
"But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both
now and forever! Amen (2 Peter 3:18).
2. Audit Your Day.
How do you spend your time? The one thing
you have today that you will not have tomorrow
is today. Time is precious which is why at times
we guard it as we do, but have you ever
realized how much we waste? Now I am not

What do I need?
How is my joy?
What needs to change?

One of the greatest epiphanies of 2015 for me

is that I need 15 minutes of quiet time in the
afternoon. Time to get away and pray, close
my eyes and rest. It was born out of asking
"what do I need?".
Then, start looking around. Start seeing others
and asking God about them.

How can you love them?

How can you serve them?
How can you encourage them?

4. STOP Complaining - Start Encouraging.

Whether we know it or not, we complain a lot.
If we are honest our lives are not marked by
the kind of gratitude Moses displayed in
Numbers 16:8-9






Continued on next page...

continued...
"And Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you
sons of Levi: is it too small a thing for you
that the God of Israel has separated you
from the congregation of Israel, to bring you
near to himself, to do service in the
tabernacle of the LORD and to stand before
the congregation to minister to them".
In Christ, God separated you and called you
near. God did a great thing on your behalf,
not a small thing, and our response is to live
constantly between the place "Thanks" and
"Praise" where a deep sense of gratitude
rests.
You can resolve to do a million things this
next year. All good. All with positive benefits,
but only one thing will be eternally life
changing: resolving to know Jesus Christ.
Blessings and see you in a year!