New Year Resolutions that Honor God will Last

This December, looking toward Chiavari (the city & hill is behind Lee)

Happy 2013!  We sure hope that you and your family had a wonderful 2012 and that this 2013 not only holds great promise for you but that all your dreams and hopes for this year will be realized.  

Looking at the challenges that lie ahead for family and ministry in Italy this next year, we could respond in two different ways: We can get discouraged and lose heart (there's so much to do and we're tempted to get tired and frustrated before we start) OR we can have faith in a great God who loves us and cares for us in all things.

As we look forward to the new year, you may be thinking a bit like Jeannette and I are.  The new year represents a great opportunity to start afresh; to make big changes that matter to our hearts and homes.  But when you think of broken promises or resolutions from past years, you may wonder will areas I want to change really change?  Possibly, two to three principles that have helped us may help you:

1) God's mercies are new each morning.  For me and all who seek to know Christ and be known by Him, we have the everlasting promise of pardon and new beginning.  Don't let Satan, the world's lures, or faith in flesh discourage.  And when we lack faith, remember that God still remains faithful to His promises (2 Tim 2:13).

2) Fools keep doing the same thing obtaining the same poor results.  Change the approach.  Don't forget that the world's wisdom is foolishness to God (1 Cor 1:18-31) and yet God's wisdom confounds the wise; choose instead biblical paths.  Try to base each motive in Scripture for every decision; be specific.  The more we do for Him in truth and deed, the more He'll honor us.

3) The means matters. Often my goals are so lofty, I forget God cares more about my approach and my heart and prefers small, consistent progress than flashy change that's often more like a flash in the pan.  Real, lasting change requires heart change; where we do the right thing for the right reason.  Remember Proverbs 16:9 which says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Reward small steps, reminding yourself that each step glorifies Him.

In the end, as you already know, what we do for self matters not at all...Only what we do for Him and for others--to glorify God from the heart--really matters.  About 2,000 years ago, Christ was lifted up high on a cross so that now we could and would lift up the glorious Christ on high in our hearts.  One thing's for sure: God will glorify Himself in 2013.  Let's glorify God as well in 2013, in our choices and decisions, like His creation that already gives glory to Him.

Psalms 65:
11 You crown the year with Your bounty;
Your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
12 The pastures of Your wilderness overflow,
Your hills gird themselves with joy,
13 Your  meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
Your valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing [praises] together for joy.

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

       In Him,