“Continually restate to yourself what the purpose of your life is. The destined end of man is not happiness, nor health, but holiness…At all costs a man must be rightly related to God.” ~ Oswald Chambers, Holiness to the Lord
While I don't do "New Year Resolutions," one thing I do at the end of every year is pray about the upcoming year, specifically I pray for a word for the year; literally a single word to focus and meditate on. This year was no different except for the fact that I received three words; nuach, shalom, and shabbath. Looking forward to a year focused on learning what it means and how to rest in the peace of Yahweh!
For me, New Year's resolutions are a setup for failure. Generally speaking. If I can't commit to bettering myself or aiding my community during the year, what makes January 1 more concrete?
God is mandate for me is to work yo be a better person and to serve Him in whichever way He wishes. I'm not always successful and that's okay. I continue to work at it.
Faith first is not just the way I lay it out, but Scripture itself. A perfect example is Ephesians 2:8-10 which reads: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
So, faith -> salvation -> works (as opposed to the common theme among other religions, and mistaken Christians of faith/works -> salvation).
That said, to answer your curiosity, the change definitely plays out in everyday decisions, at least, moral ones. As to things like working out (and I speak here from experience), discipline is far more important than motivation. At times, the same is true of a life being a disciple of Christ. It is not always easy to make time for reading the Bible and praying; motivation at times waxes and wanes - discipline is always critical (not surprising, since the word "discipline" has the same Latin root as "disciple").
“Continually restate to yourself what the purpose of your life is. The destined end of man is not happiness, nor health, but holiness…At all costs a man must be rightly related to God.” ~ Oswald Chambers, Holiness to the Lord
While I don't do "New Year Resolutions," one thing I do at the end of every year is pray about the upcoming year, specifically I pray for a word for the year; literally a single word to focus and meditate on. This year was no different except for the fact that I received three words; nuach, shalom, and shabbath. Looking forward to a year focused on learning what it means and how to rest in the peace of Yahweh!
Blessings and Shalom!
Blessings to you as well Kyle!
For me, New Year's resolutions are a setup for failure. Generally speaking. If I can't commit to bettering myself or aiding my community during the year, what makes January 1 more concrete?
God is mandate for me is to work yo be a better person and to serve Him in whichever way He wishes. I'm not always successful and that's okay. I continue to work at it.
Happy New Year!!!!
The new me is the same me. Daily commitment to being a good person and taking care of myself requires no "New Years Resolution". 😇
Faith first is not just the way I lay it out, but Scripture itself. A perfect example is Ephesians 2:8-10 which reads: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
So, faith -> salvation -> works (as opposed to the common theme among other religions, and mistaken Christians of faith/works -> salvation).
That said, to answer your curiosity, the change definitely plays out in everyday decisions, at least, moral ones. As to things like working out (and I speak here from experience), discipline is far more important than motivation. At times, the same is true of a life being a disciple of Christ. It is not always easy to make time for reading the Bible and praying; motivation at times waxes and wanes - discipline is always critical (not surprising, since the word "discipline" has the same Latin root as "disciple").