Happiness, it seems, is a coy mistress. If we set our hearts on seeking her, she slips away and hides. Those who spend their lives in pursuit of her, soon find they are grasping at the wind. Scripture tells us, “Happy is the man who trusts in God.” Why? Because God is love, God is the secret of true success, and God is the only one Who can heal the soul. In this coming year, let’s seek after God with a whole heart. As we walk faithfully with Him, Happiness - or rather her more mature state - Joy - will find us. As we work and live for Him, she will slip up behind us and put her arm through ours. Pursue Christ, and the blessing of happiness will find you!
So in this New Year, let’s not just make a resolution or two, let’s change our motives. Make this the year we aim high. Let’s dream great dreams, have a lofty ambitions. Let’s cherish noble aspirations. Let’s set our minds on things above.
Pleasing Christ, not pleasing self, should be the motive for every child of God. Without this motive capturing our thoughts, guiding our steps and inspiring our words and actions, our aim will be earthly and low. If we aren't aiming to please Christ, our ambitions will be selfish and our goals will be mortal. Only dreams dreamt for Him can fulfill our hearts. Only accomplishments in Jesus’ name will have eternal impact.
Set our mind on things above this year, for what one loves one follows after. If we want to climb high, we must set our sights – our minds – on things above. We must guard our hearts and minds, and our senses, from the fleshly in order to keep our minds set on things above.
Let’s purpose right now to start this New Year in right fellowship with our Lord. Let’s repent of our sin - even those we tend to call 'bad habits' -and ask God’s help to live a life pleasing to Him. We are all creatures of habit, good or bad. Habits form as we indulge in them. Let’s start afresh this year by replacing wrong habits with right habits. They will become easier to perform as we practice them. As a car gathers momentum as it goes along, with less power needed to keep it going than was required to get it started, so in our lives.
Beloved, we do not strive alone. The God who starts us stays with us. The God who saves us will keep us. Let’s change our motivation, and change our lives in 2014.
Dear Lord, we purpose to live each day this year in order to please You. Help us guard our hearts and minds from distractions; strengthen us to do Your will. Help us to think on things that are pure, noble, lovely, and true - and to do acts and say words that reflect this! Let us see the world through Your eyes, love the world with Your passion, and go out into the world to be Your hands to those who need You. - In Jesus’ name, amen.
Blessings as You enter 2014!
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity