New Attitude has changed it's name, now NEXT.
Check out this excellent conference for singles and young married couples.
Baltimore Convention Center
May 23-26
www.thisisnext.org
Thursday, January 29, 2009
NEXT
New Attitude has changed it's name, now NEXT.
Check out this excellent conference for singles and young married couples.
Baltimore Convention Center
May 23-26
www.thisisnext.org
Friday, January 16, 2009
Yeah...this took a while (and "New Year's Resolutions")
Well...for those of you laughing at this post because you just saw the date of the last post...take your time. Many friends kept saying to me..."Remedy came...and left" - or something to that nature! I have every bit of it coming to me...so, feel free to let me have it! I need to do better, I know...
But in thinking about that and this new year, I pondered about the common theme that hits America at the beginning of every January. Resolutions. Sounds good...even right. Unfortunately, most of them are not kept. This is not new to anyone...but it's interesting none the less. I checked out some articles online with some stats. A CNN.com report in 2004 said:
Another report stated only 8% of Americans achieve their stated resolution, and about 45% call it quits by the end of January.
This is amazing. And what does is mean for the people of God? What about godly goals and genuine passion to get things done for the glory of God? Do our lives resemble the same percentages of success as do those these reports? I think we so often do.
Shocking? Not really. So often times we fail to reach the goals because we seek to do things in our own strength and will power. Sure, we can read a book, change behavior and check off lists of "did that" in our mind....but has there been REAL change or REAL growth?
I have been thinking about that this month as I've sought to set goals for this year. I was thinking of what spiritual goals the Lord might have me concentrate on for '09. What might God be after David this year? I believe my answer (at least one them) came on January 1, in my Bible reading plan. Here's what I read from Luke 6:41-2
Well...wasn't quite thinking of that topping my list of spiritual goals...but sensed the Spirit at work even after reading it and encouraged to tackle the sin of self-righteousness, in the areas God may be pointing out. But this begs a question like before..."how can I do this...knowing I'll most likely not complete the goal or will probably give up alone the way?"
Aren't you glad God doesn't leave us there? God comes in with something that changes our perspective entirely. At the mention of the word it seems like the cavalry is coming in! What's the word?
GRACE.
We must remind ourselves that not only has the grace of God in Christ is available to save us, but grace sustains us as well! The New Testament uses a phrase that's helpful at this point. Acts 13:43 says,
Paul and Barnabas did not encourage them to pull themselves up by the their "bootstraps", nor did they commend them to "let go and let God". Rather, their urge was that they keep doing what they were doing in the grace that God supplies. And the encouragement to us today is that we do all the things God has called us to do in the grace that He alone gives.
Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling. - Augustus Toplady
Obedience to God is accepted on the basis of the grace of God in Christ, but it's also only possible through that grace.
I desire to put to death the sin of self-righteousness and many others! But I must realize this can only happen in the grace of God. And I'm so grateful that this grace is available through Jesus Christ!
But in thinking about that and this new year, I pondered about the common theme that hits America at the beginning of every January. Resolutions. Sounds good...even right. Unfortunately, most of them are not kept. This is not new to anyone...but it's interesting none the less. I checked out some articles online with some stats. A CNN.com report in 2004 said:
According to one survey of 12,000 people, about 30 percent of those making resolutions say they don't even keep them into February. And only about 1 in 5 actually stay on track for six months or more, reports eDiets.com, a consumer diet and fitness Web site. {http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/diet.fitness/02/02/sprj.nyr.resolutions/index.html}
Another report stated only 8% of Americans achieve their stated resolution, and about 45% call it quits by the end of January.
This is amazing. And what does is mean for the people of God? What about godly goals and genuine passion to get things done for the glory of God? Do our lives resemble the same percentages of success as do those these reports? I think we so often do.
Shocking? Not really. So often times we fail to reach the goals because we seek to do things in our own strength and will power. Sure, we can read a book, change behavior and check off lists of "did that" in our mind....but has there been REAL change or REAL growth?
I have been thinking about that this month as I've sought to set goals for this year. I was thinking of what spiritual goals the Lord might have me concentrate on for '09. What might God be after David this year? I believe my answer (at least one them) came on January 1, in my Bible reading plan. Here's what I read from Luke 6:41-2
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but(CA) do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. (ESV)
Well...wasn't quite thinking of that topping my list of spiritual goals...but sensed the Spirit at work even after reading it and encouraged to tackle the sin of self-righteousness, in the areas God may be pointing out. But this begs a question like before..."how can I do this...knowing I'll most likely not complete the goal or will probably give up alone the way?"
Aren't you glad God doesn't leave us there? God comes in with something that changes our perspective entirely. At the mention of the word it seems like the cavalry is coming in! What's the word?
GRACE.
We must remind ourselves that not only has the grace of God in Christ is available to save us, but grace sustains us as well! The New Testament uses a phrase that's helpful at this point. Acts 13:43 says,
"And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God." (ESV)
Paul and Barnabas did not encourage them to pull themselves up by the their "bootstraps", nor did they commend them to "let go and let God". Rather, their urge was that they keep doing what they were doing in the grace that God supplies. And the encouragement to us today is that we do all the things God has called us to do in the grace that He alone gives.
Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling. - Augustus Toplady
Obedience to God is accepted on the basis of the grace of God in Christ, but it's also only possible through that grace.
I desire to put to death the sin of self-righteousness and many others! But I must realize this can only happen in the grace of God. And I'm so grateful that this grace is available through Jesus Christ!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
