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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, January 5, 2009

New Year Resolutions

2009 is like a blank, clean piece of paper. As we anticipate the coming year, it is a common practice to make a few resolutions. I prefer to think of it as setting some goals that I would like to reach. Some of the most common resolutions or goals to be set have to do with losing weight, getting more exercise, breaking some undesirable habit, or perhaps accomplishing a particular task. For some it might be to read the Bible through, complete a Bible study or memorize a certain number new Bible verses. I would like to give you a few goals to consider for 2009. They are achievable regardless of your age, gender or cultural and/or educational background and are as follows:

  1. To cultivate a thankful attitude and to voice it. "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Hebrews 13:15
    2. Let me encourage you to not only be thankful to our Lord for His blessings and working in our life, but also simply for who He is. We should not stop with thanking the Lord, but also to appreciate the things people around us and in our family do for us. Take time to say thank you and to not take people for granted.

  2. To believe and trust God and His Word one day at a time instead of doubting and worrying. It is impossible to trust and worry at the same time. Choosing to trust instead of worrying is not based on feeling or even on logic but is a decision of my will to take God at His word. It truly has nothing to do with my ability or my circumstances. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 REMEMBER, He can not lie! Titus 1:2


  3. To be content instead of complaining. We have so much compared to the majority of people in our world, yet often find ourselves manipulated by the media into thinking we need more and better. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things are ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5 The most valuable and precious possessions can not be bought with money.


  4. To live life one day at a time. Don't drag yesterday into today, because it is over and done and you can not change it. Don't burden today with the concerns of tomorrow as it may never come. If it does come, our Lord is already there. If you determine with God's help to live this day in a way that will bring glory and honor to Him, you will end the year with much fewer regrets. "Each day is a gift, that is why it is called the present." (Unknown)

We assume that we have a whole new year to live, but the truth is we only have today with no promise of tomorrow. Perhaps it would be of great benefit if we would love our family and live each day as if it were our last……….it could be.

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

I do pray that each of you will enter 2009 with anticipation and excitement at what the Lord will do in your life. I encourage you to take a minute and share something from your experience with Christ on our guest book. God bless you!

- Sandy Hastings
January 5, 2009
If you wish to contact me personally, e-mail me at sandy.hastings@gmx.de

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