Straight Outta the Bible:Planning for Your New Year Is Biblical

 

Planning for the coming year is biblical. You may be against making New Year’s Resolutions, but planning is good. Making the most of the short time you have here on earth is prudent, and recommended by all the most successful people, Christian or not. Here’s what God's word, the Holy Bible actually says about it…

 

"A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t, and even brags about it!"
(Proverbs 13:16)

 

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish’?'"
(Luke 14:28-30)

 

You might even say caring for your subscribers and customers is biblical... :)

The Book of Proverbs says:

 

"Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds."
(Proverbs 27:23)

 

Hmmm...

 

That's all I've got for you today. I'll leave you with this, my hope and prayer for you:

 

"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."
(Psalm 20:4)

 

May the coming year be your best yet -- Happy New Year!

 

#HappyNewYear!

On "The" Day?

 

Zephaniah 2:3 says --

"Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
who do his just commands;
seek righteousness; seek humility;
perhaps you may be hidden
on the day of the anger of the LORD."

 

[Cross references: Zephaniah 2:3 : Amos 5:6 : Psalm 76:9 : Isaiah 11:4 : Amos 5:14,15 : Isaiah 2:10, 26:20,21]

 

Everyone? Everyone.

 

"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
(Galatians 6:10)

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen."
(Galatians 6:18)

 

Elsewhere in the Bible God also says, 'so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men' (romans 12:18).

Are Christians called to argue against and hate on people in the world, such as those who are gay? Or those who are pro-abortion?

How about prostitutes? Drug dealers? Convicts?

 

The Doctor Is In

 

Jesus himself said that he came for the sick, for those in need of his help. He talked of how 'healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do' (Matthew 9:11-13).

Jesus came and met with, stayed with, ate and drank with the 'sinners' of the world. With those who needed him most.

 

Anger Issues?

 

The only time Jesus ever got angry and reacted in his righteous anger was when a place of worship had been turned into a marketplace (John 2:13-17). That's it.

Jesus is all about peace -- and God says many times in the Bible that we are to be like Jesus.

 

Saints & Sinners

 

Jesus said to the prostitute's persecutors, he who is without sin, cast the first stone (John 8:7).

He saved the Apostle Paul, who had previously been a self-righteous murderer and persecutor of Christians (Acts 8:1-3).

Did God condemn the murderer? No, he used him mightily to change the world.

Did jesus condemn the thieves on the crosses beside him as he lay there bleeding to death -- for our sins? No. The one who professed him to be the Christ, he took to paradise with him when they died (Luke 23:43).

The other thief? Jesus remained silent towards him, not condemning him either.

Did Jesus hate on, or argue against, or mock, or even yell at any of the jews who got him crucified, and then mocked him and spit on him as he hung bleeding, nailed to that cross? No.

What did he do in that moment? he prayed for them (Luke 23:34).

 

What About You?

 

Are you acting on Jesus' behalf when you argue against those who the Bible says are still blinded, and in the fog about the truths of God? (Galatians 6:7-9)

Or are you acting on your own emotional instability?

Do you honestly share 'the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ?'

He's given you grace. Do you give it to others?

The things that make you go, "Hmmm"

Peace. Joy. Love... these are just a few of the fruits of the Spirit. Do you have them in you?

If you think you do -- do you share them with others?

Peace? Joy? Love?

"Hmmm..."

 

The Time Has Come, the Time Is Now

 

Happy New Year! The time has come! Roll with it! Life is good, when we let it be.

Here are some verses to help you focus better for the coming year. Well, they help me, and I hope they can help you:

 

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
(James 1:17)

"A blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you."
(Deuteronomy 23:5)

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done."
(1 Chronicles 16:8)

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
(Lamentations 3:22-24)

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
(Isaiah 43:18-19)

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
(Jeremiah 29:11)

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."
(Proverbs 16:9)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
(1 Peter 5:7)

"So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'”
(Hebrews 13:6)

 

Your time is here. Your time is now.