Resolve to do what?

An entire new year is ahead with a calendar that is wide open.

And so are the opportunities.

The new year brings a spirit of newness, and that can create openings for talking with someone about Jesus.

A new year brings many questions about the future and Jesus is the best future for anyone. Those incorporating His goals into what lies ahead will be setting themselves up for a successful year, at least spiritually.

Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV) – “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”

There is a lot of peace for the future in that verse.

People can plan all they want, but if they let God lead then He will direct their steps.

That takes a lot of pressure off worrying about the future.

Worry, stress … people are feeling it already as the emotion of New Year’s celebrations wears off more each day.

When faced with getting back to the grind – and another year of the same – there is positive hope in letting God guide you in what lies ahead.

Now, disciple, there is a lot of conversation available in that one verse above.

Let us be confident, and bold, in talking with someone near us this day.

3 Questions for now

How’s the weather out there?

Across the country that question can open up almost any conversation.

As I write this, half the nation is getting hit, or about to get hit, with some pretty severe winter conditions.

Parts of the other half are running from out-of-control flames from wildfires.

Pretty straight forward openings for conversation.

Here are three more questions to help you start a conversation:

• What do you think it would be like to have a community of people who support each other in plans, goals and faith?

• Is there a specific challenge in your life where you feel God could make a difference?

• Do you ever wonder what God's plan is for your life? What do you think that might be?

Read these questions and responses several times and remember them as best you can.

Then, at your next “now” opportunity, ask one and follow the Lord’s lead.

Be kind. Love them. Be bold.

Shawn’s noodling rant:

(“Noodling” is a term I swiped from my mentor. The meaning is to “ponder” or “think deeply about” a topic that God is challenging us with through scripture or the Holy Spirit, or both.)

Old falls away, new year brings light

“I resolve to …”

This is the hot question on the mind of people as they head into the new year.

Making resolutions is an almost expected task as another year begins.

There are resolutions for all kinds of goals from losing weight to dieting to making amends with others to reading more to making more money. The topics are literally unlimited.

But what should we resolve to accomplish that would please God and contribute to His glory?

This has been twisting in me personally for weeks.

I can’t stand resolutions. I’m not afraid to admit it – I almost never complete them.

I’m no better at it than the next person, but I strive for a little better with each step forward.

Embracing the newness of Christ helps with each passing day.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Resolutions can easily be attributed to a type of worry about what lies ahead. The future is not determined, and only God sees what we will face.

So why worry?

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) – “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

What I do work on – and try to do more each day, month and year – is striving toward living up to God’s commands.

That’s my resolve.

The world that awaits us each time we walk out the door to start our day hasn’t changed in thousands of years. We must be strong in our resolve to face the challenges ahead as Christ would ask of us.

Now, disciple, as you go forward into this year…

Philippians 2:14-16 (NKJV) – “14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”