God's New Year Resolution!

One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14, NIV

Every day we depend on the memory of things we have learned about in the past. Without memory none of us could ever function. We would constantly be asking the same people what their name is, but then we wouldn't be able to remember our own name either! And we would be permanently lost, not knowing where places are - and we could never go out, because we would never be able to remember where we lived in order to get back home! Life would be totally chaotic. It doesn't take much thought to realize that memory is one of the most important facets of our God-created humanity. We cannot, literally, forget what lies in the past for, if we did, life would become intolerable.

So, in this very important Scripture, Paul cannot be telling us to forget the past by wiping our brain clean of its memories. But he is telling us not to so dwell on the events of the past, that we fail to live in the present and we miss God's best for our future.

Some people begin the New Year by making New Year Resolutions. They think of things they would like to change - such as their weight - or things they would like to do in the New Year. But most such resolutions are long forgotten within a matter of days of having made them. Soulish enthusiasm for something new will never stand the test of time.

But what would happen if all believers approached the New Year with a different question and asked God what were His plans for them? And then we spent some time with God waiting on Him so that we could listen to His still small voice? We would then have fresh vision for the year ahead - and if it is vision from Him then we wouldn't run out of soulish energy in no time at all, but we would discover His sustaining power, enabling us to press on toward the goal He has put before us.

For Paul, his days on earth were coming to an end, but even in those conditions he wanted to make the most of whatever time he had left, so that he would not be found wanting when His call heavenward finally came. What an encouragement Paul is to us to redeem all the years that are to come, not dwelling on what has been (in the past) but rejoicing in what is to come, knowing that what He envisions, He will also enable!

Prayer: Lord, above all, I need to hear your voice leading me into the year ahead. With all my heart I choose to follow and serve you and press on towards the goal you have put before me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Peter Horrobin is the Founder and International Director of Ellel Ministries. His cutting edge teaching and compassion for the hurting have been at the heart of Ellel's ministry throughout its 22 years of development. He is the author of numerous books, most notably Healing Through Deliverance.

Thirty One Questions: To Make 2009 Life-Changing for You and Me

The first day of a new year is a good time to stop, reflect, refocus and consider where we are going. The question for today is not, “Where are you going?” but rather, “Where will you be when you get there?” This morning all of us are taking the first steps on a 365-day journey. Where will you be when you arrive at December 31? What will you do with the gift of a new beginning that God has given you? In order to help us think about this in a practical way, Don Whitney has put together 31 questions. There are 10 basic questions and then 21 more–one for each day of the month.

If you are married, I urge you to discuss these questions with your spouse. If you are in a small group, take your first session this year to go over these questions. Thinking through these questions together will help make 2009 truly life-changing for you.

1. What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
2. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
3. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
4. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
5. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
6. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
7. What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?
8. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
9. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?
   

In addition to these ten questions, here are twenty-one more to help you “Consider your ways.” Think on the entire list at one sitting, or answer one question each day for a month.

1. What’s the most important decision you need to make this year?
2. What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what’s one way you could simplify in that area?
3. What’s the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?
4. What habit would you most like to establish this year?
5. Who do you most want to encourage this year?
6. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?
7. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?
8. What’s one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year?
9. What’s one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?
10. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year?
11. What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?
12. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?
13. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?
14. What’s the most important trip you want to take this year?
15. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?
16. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?
17. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year?
18. What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?
19. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?
20. What’s the most important new item you want to buy this year?
21. In what area of your life do you most need change, and what will you do about it this year?

Christmas 2008