I love New Year's!! a time for reflection and setting goals for personal growth...I like it so much, I started thinking of my resolutions in November :)
Big lessons learned in 2010:
* run fullspeed to God, never stop!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." ~Hebrews 12:1
* Christ is sufficient.
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ~II Corinthians 12:9
* throw out false expectations, preconceived notions, & selfish ambitions - let God amaze me with His Creativity and Imagination that far surpasses mine.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us," ~Ephesians 3:20
-don't put a limit on God. He is working innumerable stories in innumerable ways to bring all peoples to His glory.
* keep dreaming big.
-do not be discouraged by others, do not be ok with average. our God is not an average God, He is going to accomplish great things in and through His people.
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:13-14
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." ~Jeremiah 29:11-13
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." ~Philippians 1:6
* trust God. He will always be faithful, and knows what is best for me now, next year, in 10 years, in 50 years... He wants my joy and His glory. He will never forsake His promises, and He does not intend to frustrate His children. He is taking care of me - providing for me and protecting me.
"if we are faithless, he remains faithful — for he cannot deny himself." ~II Timothy 2:13
"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" ~Matthew 7:11
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." ~Ephesians 1:3
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD." ~Isaiah 55:8
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." ~I Corinthians 13:12
* living in community with other believers is so important! we need accountability, companionship, encouragement; we are not meant to walk this journey alone.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." ~Proverbs 27:17
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." ~I Thessalonians 5:11
"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." ~Colossians 3:12-15
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." ~Ephesians 5:1-21
* look before you leap.
* boundaries are good.
whew! ok. now for my resolutions:
* read through & study the entire Bible (might do the 90 day schedule)
* read 2-3 books per month
* run/dance/yoga/exercise 3-5 times per week
* up my Spanish, French, & Italian proficiencies, learn Swahili
* work hard on improving my piano & guitar playing
* summer mission trip to Naomi's Village orphanage in Kenya
* volunteer regularly in a few places, but don't over-commit!
* continue to prayerfully & diligently seek God's leading in career direction, and more Bible/missions training
Happy New Year my friends!! I predict GREAT things for 2011!!
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