Wednesday evening I set forth 4 things to consider in order to be able to get started well in 2013. Some folks mentioned that these were helpful to them so I thought I’d summarize them here as things you ought to take time to do before Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. The prophet Haggai, in preaching to God’s people, told them, “Consider your ways…” (Haggai 1: 5-7).
1. Take time before New Year’s Day to look back on what you have learned in 2012. There were, no doubt, some things you learned that were good to do, and also some things you learned by experience, not to do!
2. Take time to consider what you ought to learn in 2013. Is it to control your temper? Staying on the right track? How to bring someone to the Saviour? Be a more biblical husband, father, mother or wife? Learn to read better, learn to pray, learn another language?
3. Take time to consider what you ought to do in 2013. We all end up doing more when we have beforehand planned to do it rather than just muddling our way through another day, a week and then a year.
4. Don’t make your plans for 2013 without regard to God’s will (see James 4:13-15). That passage has a man planning a move, an employment opportunity and some major financial decisions without even considering the guidance of God.
How do we learn God’s will? By first doing the things you already know He has instructed you to do! As we learn to obey His word in those areas, He reveals to us His ongoing will and purposes for us. Life is too brief to spend it up far outside or even just outside the will of God. In your life, make 2013 count for eternity. Some ways: 1. Serve God more and self less; 2. Win someone to Christ this year; 3. Set a worthy example for others.
Look at Tuesday as another fresh start and as a great opportunity to “get it right!”
-from December 30, 2012 bulletin