2013

New Years Resolutions are among the most neglected of resolutions. We make them January 1 and break them January 2. However, the idea of a new beginning with new commitments is both practical and Biblical. There needs to be not only resolution but a plan to accomplish the resolution. This turns our resolutions into practical goals. Here are some of my New Years goals:

Read the Bible through at least 4 times this year. The Bible is a Book above all Books. It deserves my best and most attention. I plan to spend at least one hour each day reading God's Word.

Be a part of winning at least 250 people to Christ this year. A soul winning commitment honors God  and impacts eternity. Many people never win a soul to Christ because they have not made a commitment to do so. I plan to daily share the gospel with at least one person. I further plan to be evangelsitic in my preaching and inviting others to Christ from the pulpit.

Become more geneorous with my time, talent and treasure. Biblical stewardship instructs us that 100% of what we have does not belong to us, it belongs to God. The principle of tithing is the foundation of Christian giving. Generoisty becomes real when we go far beyond the tithe in gifts to our church, to other worthy entitites  and to other people. I plan to increase my giving by at least 1% this year.

Become more patient. This is a big issue for me. When we exhibit patience we exhibit our faith in God. It is my nature to attempt to fix everyhting right now. I desire immediate solutions when God desires that I trust Him. I plan to ask God to make me more aware of the times I need to simply back away and let Him do His good work in my life and the life of those I love.

Be more understanding of others. People are all flawed by sin (this inlcludes me). The work of God is done in the lives of imperfect people. I need to realize that when others behave in a manner I consider inappropriate that God is not finished working with them. For this I am grateful, for God is not done with me, either. I plan to exhibit more grace for God has given me more than I deserve.

Be more grateful for the things God has given me. I must not take for granted what God has given me. I live in the most affluent culture in the world. I live in a nice home, drive a nice car, wear nice clothes and have plenty to eat (my waist line proves it). I have 4 wonderful children, 2 beautiful granchildren and a most loving  wife. I serve the finest people, Southside Baptist Church, and have the awesome privelege of being a preacher of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. All of these are direct gifts from God. I plan to thank Him everyday for His amazing goodness and grace in my life.

I set goals because I desire to accomplish something. I encourage you to consider setting some New Years goals of your own. 

Attempting to Connect the Dots...

Wayne

Playing Games

“Some men die by shrapnel, and some go down in flames, but most men perish inch by inch, playing at little games”

It is sad, but true, that our lives are enveloped by those who are manipulating us by their agenda. The huge rhetoric over the "fiscal cliff." The call for gun control legislation. The radical left and its ongoing desire to snuff out Biblical Christianity. These agendas are real. They flesh out purposeful stratgeies to accomplish the desired goals of there proponents. Drama is used to motivate us to a desired end. Tragdy is taken avantage of to push us along in the direction of others goals. Lies are justified as a means to a desired end. We would be wise to recognize that there are people playing games with our life.

This is true even of the Christian community. While we criticize the secular agendas of politicians, Athiests and percieved liberals we must be careful to not play the same games. Power, Theology and Recognition have become the field upon which many Christians play out their game. For many the Christian life is just another of life's games. A lack of genuine to commitment to Christ and His Church is often evident by many who simply play Christian and play Church for personal gain.

Our Savior weeps over the lostness and emptiness of the games the world plays. However, His heart breaks over the games His children play. Friend, Jesus is God's Son who died to pay for your sin. There is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. Eternity is long and Jesus is still the only hope for our dark, decaying culture.

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior join me in making new and deeper commitments to make an eternal difference for Him and an eternal difference for some lost soul by winning them to faith in Christ. Don't be guilty of just "playing the game."

Attempting to Connect the Dots....

Wayne