Pastor’s Notes 1-1-12

As we set out on our journey through the New Year many of us have considered the famed “New Year’s Resolutions,” the ones that we usually have forgotten about by the middle of the month. Instead of the traditional resolution, why not set some goals for “healthier living?”

Healthy living involves every area of our lives, physical, emotional, spiritual, relational, financial, etc. When we desire to live “healthy,” we are making a commitment to live life God’s way.  In order to do that, there are two things that you need in addition to your commitment; a plan and accountability.

The plan would include a few goals for each area of your life and action steps of how you will get there. One of your goals for spiritual growth may be to read your Bible daily, a great goal but how are you going to do it? Possibly using the One Year Bible and reading in the morning before going to work. Do this for each area of your life, don’t get too ambitious and set too many goals or make them so big they could never be achieved. But prayerfully develop a plan.

The accountability happens as you share your plan with someone who you trust and you give them permission to ask you how you are doing with your plan and your goals. For the Bible reading example above, your “accountability partner” would be given permission to ask you as often as necessary, without nagging, badgering or ridiculing, “How are you doing with your Bible reading?” You would then answer truthfully and ask your accountability partner to pray for you.

It has been said “To fail to plan is to plan to fail.” We need a plan for our lives and a great place to start is by asking God what He wants to do in our lives in 2012 and then write it down and work the plan in your life. the Bible calls it “vision.” With God’s help you can accomplish some very amazing things in 2012!

Blessings on your New Year!!!

Pastor Bob