Happy New Year

I don't know about you but today I won't be making any resolutions.  I have a tendancy to break them before the 15th of this month.  I don't know what it is about will power, resolutions, and me but they just don't work together well.  Today is New Years Day....January 1 of a whole new year.  A time to start fresh.  Make plans for things you will accomplilsh.  Well, a New Years resolution is nothing more than a commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit. A key element to a New Year's resolution that sets it apart from other resolutions is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year and new beginnings. People committing themselves to a New Year's resolution generally plan to do so for the whole following year. This lifestyle change is generally interpreted as advantageous.  I prefer to say I am making new opportunities this year.  I want to become a better person.  I want to be closer to God.  I want to be a Proverbs 31 woman.  I went searching for answers and a sermon for Sunday and came up with ten things I think I will try for 2013.  They are:
Resolution 1. LET LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS NEVER LEAVE YOU  -Proverbs 3:3-4
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Resolution 2. TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART.  - Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Resolution 3. DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES  - Proverbs 3:7-8
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Resolution 4. HONOR THE LORD WITH YOUR WEALTH  - Proverbs 3: 9-10
9 Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
This starts with tithing - God’s Law of harvest.

Resolution 5. DO NOT DESPISE THE LORD’S DISCIPLINE  - Proverbs 3: 11-12
11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Resolution 6. SEARCH DILIGENTLY FOR WISDOM AND FIND IT - Proverbs 3: 13-24
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. 19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; 20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. 21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.  

Resolution 7. HAVE NO FEAR - Proverbs 3:25-26
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

Resolution 8. DO NOT WITHHOLD GOOD FROM THOSE WHO DESERVE IT - Proverbs 3: 27-28
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbour, “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow” — when you now have it with you.

Resolution 9. DO NOT PLOT HARM AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR  - Proverbs 3: 29-30
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbour, who lives trustfully near you. 30 Do not accuse a man for no reason — when he has done you no harm.

Resolution 10. DO NOT ENVY A VIOLENT MAN OR CHOOSE ANY OF HIS WAYS  - Proverbs 3:31 - 32
31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, 32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. 
Ok...so I have some lofty goals this year.  I may not fulfill each and every one....but I feel like if I accomplish any then I am the better man for it.  I am excited about this journey of opportunity I am embarking on.  Happy New Year and I hope you have a wonderful 2013.  That is my goal.