Happy New Year

I have been trying to think about the New Year and make some goals. I plan to add exercise into my life. It is something I’m not looking forward to, but something I know will help my body. I’m sure I’m not the only person making a health and fitness plan for this year. I think that having a plan is important. We see throughout Scripture a planting and reaping principle. I often hear this in regards to planting the seed toward salvation, and that is a right and good application; however I think it goes deeper than that. There is a sowing of our deeds which reap rewards or consequences. I hope that by exercising routinely that I will reap the benefit of a healthier and more energetic body. I’m weary of the consequences which have resulted from my choice to remain unfit.

In addition to this physical goal I decided I need to make some spiritual goals as well. Once I started thinking about these it became somewhat overwhelming. I lack in so many areas that it is hard to pick just one to put my focus. So instead I am currently focusing on quite a few in hopes that I will grow in these areas. I’ve thought some study in each topic or passage a month might be a good way to start for me. Some of these words come easier to me than others. Many areas are in dire need of attention. I hope the Lord will give me some help in all these areas. Some of these words bring passages quickly to mind. These are some of the areas that came to mind.

Love
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things; endures all things. Love never ends.

Living in the Spirit
Ephesians 5:18b but be filled with the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Prayer
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Boldness
Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Wisdom and Strength
Isaiah 33:6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.

I hope that this year I can sow in these areas. I know I will fail, but the pursuit of Godliness is one worth the effort.

Happy New Year.