A NEW YEAR. WEIGHING YOUR ISSUES. GOD'S PATH TO MATURITY.

Each New Year we are faced with the challenge of weighing the many issues that will impact our lives in the year ahead. It is a delicate balance of envisioning the year ahead, while combining purposeful planning with a fervent effort to connect our heart and mind with God and His Will for oneself. It is so easy for us to think things through from a logical standpoint, but that can be much more challenging than to engage our Faith and Trust in God’s Desires and Direction. Throughout Scripture we can find many of God’s commandments that will show us how to think and live, but perhaps none are as easy to connect with as those shared in the Book Of Proverbs. Written by King Solomon, Proverbs is a collection of life giving guidelines on how to live a life in accordance with God’s Wisdom and Fearing The Lord. Fearing The Lord for those who love Him simply reflect a “Desire” to live according to His Ways, that one might not fail to see His Importance in their lives. It is more a fear of making the wrong choices and disappointing the God Who Loves Us than trembling and being afraid. Proverbs gives us SO MUCH WISDOM in facing life and the difficulties that it brings. Wisdom, insight, discipline, knowledge, integrity, justice and discernment ! A truly amazing group of “gifts” that will allow us to face our issues with confidence and resolve. Moving into the future with God’s presence and power, while trusting His Authority to guide us and purpose us in the here and now. In every way possible, we are able to see that God Is Our True Father ! Constantly watching over us and showing us His Character and Values. SOLID FOUNDATIONAL LIFE GIVING LOVE FOR US :) The world will also offer a variety of ideas and choices for us to contemplate, but interestingly they are all focused on SELF for the most part. Self Help; Self gain; Self Improvement. Gain acclaim; make more wealth; accumulate more material goods. The beauty of God’s Focus for us is that the KEY to Life is NOT SELF FOCUS…it is A FOCUS ON HELPING AND SERVING OTHERS :) The older I get and the longer I live it is a simple truth that True Riches are found in Relationships and Generosity. Nothing brings me more pleasure than helping others Seek God and Give Their Lives To Him !

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND DO NOT RELY ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS KNOW HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT. DON’T BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES; FEAR THE LORD AND TURN AWAY FROM EVIL. Proverbs 3: 5-7

HONOR THE LORD WITH YOUR POSSESSIONS AND WITH THE FIRST PRODUCE OF YOUR ENTIRE HARVEST; THEN YOUR BARNS WILL BE COMPLETELY FILLED, AND YOUR VATS WILL OVERFLOW WITH NEW WINE. Proverbs 3:9-10

THE LORD FOUNDED THE EARTH BY WISDOM AND ESTABLISHED THE HEAVENS BY UNDERSTANDING. BY HIS KNOWLEDGE THE WATERY DEPTHS BROKE OPEN, AND THE CLOUDS DRIPPED WITH DEW. MAINTAIN SOUND WISDOM AND DISCRETION. MY SON, DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF THEM. THEY WILL BE LIFE FOR YOU. Proverbs 3: 19-22

One of the most important goals that we can embrace in our walk with Jesus is to Grow In Maturity ! Many years ago I realized that simply “knowing and believing in Jesus” was not Growing and Maturing In Him. I spent a lot of years splashing around in milk and feeling somewhat satisfied, but certainly not “ALL IN !” I wanted to Grow in my Faith and Understanding. I wanted Wisdom, not just knowledge. I found out that I had to Build Relationship with Jesus. I had to have a rock solid plan and effort to keep focused on my goal of MATURING. I wanted to access the Power and Authority of Jesus in my life just as His Disciples had done. I wanted to Understand what it meant to Abide In Him and He In Me. It’s pretty much impossible to Abide In Jesus without surrendering your Will and Purpose to Him. It takes a great deal of desire to communicate and LISTEN. Eyes to See and Ears to Hear. A heartfelt desire to Please Him :) Committing your Time to be focused on His Teaching and Direction ! If you choose this path, be ready for the world to mock you. The world devalues and rejects Jesus and His Ways, choosing pleasure and self over Wisdom and Understanding. There is no better place to begin to contemplate God’s Wisdom than Proverbs. It is a solid foundation for us a individuals, spouses, parents, and students. Soak it in and APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE !

FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND, THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. Ephesians 2:10

WHO SAVED US AND CALLED US TO A HOLY CALLING, NOT BECAUSE OF OUR WORKS BUT BECAUSE OF HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE, WHICH HE GAVE US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE AGES BEGAN. 2 Timothy 1:9

BUT FOR THIS PURPOSE I HAVE RAISED YOU UP, TO SHOW YOU MY POWER, SO THAT MY NAME MAY BE PROCLAIMED IN ALL THE EARTH. Exodus 9:16

It is truly fascinating to be a follower of Christ and “Understand” the power of being “Called” to Abide In Christ and accomplish things that He had predestined for Each Of Us Individually to accomplish. Good Works that He Determined, not us by ourselves. HIS POWER working through us to Glorify Him. It is easy to get bogged down with challenges, but consider approaching your year ahead with an excitement to Accomplish God’s Work And Purpose ! Generosity. Serving Others. Growth And Maturity. Putting our focus on Eternal Life and Eternal Purpose ! Building our Treasures in Heaven as we Serve God’s Kingdom. Take time right now to weigh your issues. Take time right now to access your maturity. Seek God for His Direction and Wisdom. Step by Step, MAKE HIM REAL IN YOUR LIFE. It is your True Destiny:). Find Wisdom/JAA

MY SON, IF YOU ACCEPT MY WORDS AND STORE UP MY COMMANDS WITHIN YOU, LISTENING CLOSELY TO WISDOM AND DIRECTING YOUR HEART TO UNDERSTANDING; FURTHERMORE, IF YOU CALL OUT TO INSIGHT AND LIFT YOUR VOICE TO UNDERSTANDING, IF YOU SEEK IT LIKE SILVER AND SEARCH FOR IT LIKE HIDDEN TREASURE, THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND DISCOVER THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. Proverbs 2: 1-5