February 18th
February 18th
Ok we are 2/3 of the way through February, time to check in on any New Years resolutions you may have set. How are you doing? Are you on track or have you given up? Some people don’t believe in resolutions, they feel like it is pointless or too much pressure. Personally, I love a fresh start. I take the time to evaluate and see what areas of my life need to be adjusted, cleaned up, or totally revamped. Without a plan to guide us, we won’t accomplish the goal. It certainly won’t happen by accident. However, it is not about the don’ts. It’s not: this year I am going to cut out fast food, or cut down on my TV, or anything else like that. Instead, it is a totally different approach. It is working the things that I should do into my life and pretty soon there is no time or desire for the things that I shouldn’t do. For example, you could think: -I will focus on adding in more prayer time or bible reading or exercise. Sure, Read more, pray more, move more -really good goal. Some things can overlap. Take a walk with the Lord, you will knock out 2 things at once, prayer and exercise.
If we focus our time and energy on the things we need to do, we won’t have time, energy, or money for the hurts, habits, and hangups that we want to ditch.
You were created by God for God and understanding this is the most important New Years resolution you can ever have. When you understand this, your life will revolve around Jesus and you will be spiritually healthy.
1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Physical health is important but Spiritual health is the most important thing.
It is like holiness/sanctification: remember we learned a few years ago that holiness is not the absence of sin, it is the presence of the Holy One. So our focus is not on ridding ourselves of sin (futile effort anyway, doesn’t last) it is on surrendering completely to the Holy Spirit to allow more of Jesus/Holy Spirit in your life. Remember the order of the verse in Ezekiel 36. First the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts and then moves us to obey. We seek more of God and He removes the sin and moves us to walk in obedience.
Ezekiel 36:25-27 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws
The same thing is true of physical health. If you focused your eating on making sure that you ate the right healthy foods (and they are not what you think) so that you get the right amount of nutrients/protein/fats that your aging body needs, you will not be hungry and the cravings for sugar and empty carbs will go away. If you make sure that you move enough, you won’t have the desire to be a couch potato and binge too much screen time. Our focus too often has been on cutting out things rather than focusing on adding in the right things.
So, you want to stop sinning? Spend more time with Jesus, not just in the morning, make it a routine to walk through your day with Him. Put a note in your lunch sack to remind you, or on your steering wheel, or your mirror, in the fridge, etc. This truly is the best, most important New Year’s resolution and it is life changing!
The Lord wants to bless you this year with health, spiritual first but also physical. What is He calling you to start doing this year? Start today.
Jesus, help me to be mindful of the fact that you are with me every moment of everyday. Help me to surrender more and add more time with you into my day. Help me to start thinking of doing the do’s instead of getting rid of the don’ts. Transform me, renew my mind to think about everything the way you do. Help me start today. Thank you Jesus, for your patience and your perfect love.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.