Unwavering

Happy Sunday!

Happy New Year!   2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!"(Easy-to-Read Version).  New things are exciting!  New shoes, new homes, new opportunities, and new relationships all bring us joy.  We look forward to the New Year with hope that the same old same old will be gone and the new and improved will begin.  But many years look very similar to their predecessors.  This scripture describes what happened internally when we accepted Jesus, but other scriptures tell us what must happen externally for our lives to really be NEW!  2 Peter 3:18 says, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."(KJV).  Don't miss this!  We are expected to grow!  When plants, animals, and people grow they change. 

Do you see any change from last year?  Spiritually? Emotionally? Physically? Financially?  Like Michael Jackson sang..."I'm starting with the man in the mirror.  I'm asking him to change his ways. NO Message could have been any clearer.  If you want to make the world a better place.  Take a look at yourself, then make a change".   Start small.  It's less intimidating.  I recently listened to a Podcast that encouraged me for the new year.  Patrice Washington challenged listeners to not just be interested in things, but become committed to things.  Whatever it may be, if we are truly committed to it we will do it.  One example she used was the number of people that approach her and say that they are writing a book.  Then she asked, "How much time do you spend writing daily?"  Generally, the people admit they aren't committed to writing.  In the new year, every year, people are interested in fitness, but by February statistics show they were not committed to fitness and won't be until swimsuit season when the truth will be out in the open.

1 Corinthians 15:58 says, "With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of Time or Effort".(Message).  The King James Version of this scripture says, "Be steadfast".   Steadfast is defined as, "resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering".   The Apostle James spoke of being unwavering, "And if, in the process, any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem he has only to ask God—who gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty—and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him. But he must ask in sincere faith without secret doubts as to whether he really wants God’s help or not. The man who trusts God, but with inward reservations, is like a wave of the sea, carried forward by the wind one moment and driven back the next. That sort of man cannot hope to receive anything from God, and the life of a man of divided loyalty will reveal instability at every turn."(James 1:5-6, Phillips).

"The life of a man of divided loyalty will reveal instability at every turn..."

Committed to Happy Sunday!
Love and prayers, Cynthia

http://www.patricewashington.com/bestself/results-vs-resolutions-commitment-makes-the-difference/