Life is messy, isn’t it? Do you feel like this diagram? Each month, we think back to our resolutions and chastise ourselves for our inability to make them a reality in our lives. Hey….you are not alone in this feeling, my friend!
What can we do about this frustration of failure? Is this really a failure on your part, or is it perhaps just that you do not have the information you need to make it a reality in your life?
Now, that’s interesting. And yet, it is true. In my home church this past weekend, I learned some things that “I knew”, but “I did not specifically practice” the way they were explained by the pastor preaching. I’d like to share them with you and see if they resonate with you. Don’t just bury your head or pull out your hair on this, just begin again.
MINDSET – 2024 is going to be a great year for me and my family!
FEAR – 2024 is the year I will no longer live in fear of everything! Our world has done a fabulous, overwhelming job of making everyone afraid of basically everything. This is not how GOD wants us to live! You must choose to no longer live in fear.
GOD’s MANDATE FOR US – God wants us to draw closer to Him through prayer, Bible Study, Going to Church, Fellowship with others, being connected with others to serve and spread the good news to all you meet.
CLOSER TO GOD – How do I draw closer to God in my daily life? Notice who you surround yourself with. Do those around you seem to be flourishing and have great marriages and kids that excel? On the other hand, are you surrounded by failure, people who are cynical and complain and live in victim mode all the time? You can decide this one for yourself. You know where all ships rise, don’t you?
HABITS – Effective people are effective because they commit to habits ineffective people do not! Decide your habits, and your habits will decide your future.
HABITS OF EFFECTIVE CHRISTIANS
- Put GOD first in everything, every minute of every day.
Purpose of putting GOD first: Exodus 20:3 – “You shall have no other gods before me.”
Practice of putting GOD first: Matthew 22:37 – “Jesus replied: “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Promise of putting GOD first: James 4:8 “Draw near to GOD and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners: and purify your hearts you double minded.”
- Tithe – tithing is putting GOD first with your money.
Purpose of putting GOD first with your money: Leviticus 27:30 – “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord. “
Practice of putting GOD first with your money: Proverbs 3:9 – “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” 1 Corinthians 16:2 – “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”
Promise of putting GOD first with your money: Malachi 3:10 – Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (NIV) “I will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
- Connect with people – this is putting GOD first in your relationships.
Purpose of putting GOD first in your relationships: 1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ”
Practice of putting GOD first in your relationships: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” John 13:34 – “A new command I give you: Ove one another, as I have loved you so you must love one another.”
Promise of putting GOD first in your relationships: John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” The Good News: We must always remember to love each other just as much as God loves us, which is unconditionally. Matthew 6:33 – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Good Stuff!!!
You bet, when we put GOD first in every aspect of our lives, we will be showered with blessings. GOD never promised us a life of ease, but when we follow HIS very basic commandments, statutes, and ways of living, HE promises us more than we can possibly imagine for all of eternity.
Your Name is Inscribed in the palm of HIS MIGHTY RIGHT HAND! Now that’s special!!
Already 31 days are off the calendar for 2024. What have you done in your own deepening relationship with God? Take off the old and put on a new being in Jesus Christ. If you are looking for a friend to walk beside you on your journey to Christ-Centered Living in 2024, may I offer my hand to hold yours and walk with you? All you must do is email mail me at the address below. Let’s start our conversation and journey together in 2024.
janice@janicebastanicoaching.com
8914 Collina Ct.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
908-229-3797
www.janicebastanicoaching.com
www.johnmaxwellgroup.com/janicebastani
