You
and I have arrived safely at the first Monday of a new year. 2015 is in our grasp and in our opportunity
folder. Now, it is our choice what we
are going to do with it and all that comes our way.
I
am excited to say that this is going to be a new year full of things that only
God can do. That is the stuff He does
that will blow our minds and fill our hearts.
If we are looking for those miracles, we will see them, experience them
and share them with others.
Let’s
start this year and this week with some of the habits that I believe make me
stronger and my new year better. These
are suggestions that have blessed my life.
Daily Bible Reading
Psalm 119:11 NLT
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin
against you.
My
Bible of choice is an application on my phone that syncs with my computer. It is called YouVersion.com (or the Bible
App). Within it are reading plans and
lots of different translations of the Bible.
I enjoy choosing one of those reading plans that allows me to read
through the Bible in one year.
This
year’s reading plan has me starting in Genesis and also reading the Epistles of
Paul. 365 days of reading. It also helps me catch up when I get behind.
I
am doing one piece of this a little different.
Several years ago I heard Mark Batterson talk about his habit of reading
the Bible and using a different translation of the Bible. Often we get comfortable with our translation
and will quickly read or even miss some of the best pieces. He would use a different translation far from
the norm. I am doing this and asking God
to open up some great insight and times with him.
Handwritten Notes
But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.
I
have always enjoyed writing notes to people on my mind or someone who has a
need or who had done something extraordinary.
This year I choose to do this more and in a new pattern. I will keep the pattern to myself, but what I
will share with you is that I want to write three times as many hand written
notes than I wrote last year.
Why? Email is great. Facebook is helpful. But people are greatly encouraged by taking
your time to do something doesn’t happen very often. A note in the mailbox may be something that
will make someone know how important they are.
Family Devotions
Proverbs 22:6 NLT
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will
not leave it.
This
is not out of the norm for us, but it is important to renew our commitment to
making sure this happens. One of the
things that Julie and I have to make sure of is that our time as a family
doesn’t become too common.
Pouring Into Other’s
lives
1 Peter 4:10 NLT
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of
spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
When I was in my later teen years, I knew that God had a call my life,
but one of the things that I wanted desperately was to learn from men who had
spent their lives in ministry. It was
hard to find pastors who would spend time with a preacher boy. God put this on my heart some time ago, but
this year once again I am going to pick up the mantle and begin meeting with
some guys who have expressed an interest in ministry.
This is not a casual talk every now and then. This will be a calculated time of reading,
sharing, praying and studying together with the intent of helping guys serve
stronger and with confidence in the areas God calls in. I am excited about this.
Exercise
Ephesians 5:29 NLT
No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.
I started going to a local CrossFit a couple months ago, and I am
enjoying this different kind of exercise.
But it is time for another step up to continue a couple times each week
as well as add some other pieces that will make me more healthy.
There you have just a few of the areas that have my attention for the
New Year. I pray that our family will
experience God in fresh ways. I pray
that our church will be able to impact many more people as well as move forward
with our new campus.
There’s more to come as we seek God and share Him with others!
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