2015 New Years Resolutions.....God Style

A very Happy New Year to all my friends and fellow bloggers. I can't believe it, but it seems that another year is coming to a close and that we are faced with the turning of the yearly clock, one more time--- into a brand New Year! Doesn't it seem impossible that it's already 2015? For me, it seems like it was just yesterday that we were celebrating the new millennium, but here we are already....15 years later.

As I look back on this past year and forward to the next, I, like most of you, are looking to improve some things in my life. New Years Resolutions always have meaning and the best intentions, but honestly,don't most of them fall by the wayside after a few weeks? We always seem to get in the way of ourselves and our best efforts.

A vow to get in shape with regular work outs, via walking, running or bike riding, setting new goals to save more money, eat better, quit smoking (if you do smoke) quit drinking ,or drinking excessively, quit gossiping, quit being jealous of others and their possessions, .... the list can go on and on if we are trying to improve our human condition, because frankly, let's face it.....we're a mess. All of us are sinners and fall very short of the Glory of God.

But, if we look to set our New Years Resolutions with God in mind, things begin to look up considerably and in my mind, at least, they seem much more attainable. If we are trying to do anything on our own, it can look insurmountable to say the least. Anything we try to accomplish on our own is so much harder than if we have the resources of the Creator of the Universe behind us. Why do we resist Him so?

So, this year, I want to really try to do things God's way. I want to turn to Him for everything. I want to rely on Him for every thought, action, and even every bite of food I put in my mouth. I want to eat good, healthy food, and only eat I'm hungry. May sound silly or unimportant to some of you, but for those of us who have always struggled with our weight, this is a valid and lofty goal. I want 2015 to be a year about Jesus, not about me or my food or anything else. Just Jesus and Jesus alone.

So, here we go into a brand New Year, As I approach my 60th birthday in October, I've thought a lot about why I'm still here. What exactly is my purpose? Why has God kept me here on this earth? He could have easily taken me back in 1997 when I had my health crisis. But evidently there was still more work for me to do.

The doctors thought for sure back in 1997 that I was a gone-er. All the great medical minds kept saying I had brain cancer and they needed to confirm that with a brain biopsy. The tests looked grim. Well, after a very tumultuous month, it was determined that I didn't have brain cancer, I actually had MS. Seems that God had other plans for me, and wasn't done with me yet. He proved the doctors wrong. Seems like they were just "practicing medicine" after all. The longer I've lived with this debilitating disease, the more I'm convinced that He still wants to use me for His glory, even in my broken down condition. I continue to try and comply with Him even when I'm hurting.

So, one thing I know for sure, as long as their is breath in my body......I will try hard to have my life, my words,and my actions be about my Lord Jesus Christ and not about me. I want my focus to be honoring Him in everything I do. I want to reach out to others that don't know Him. I want to strive to share His love with those who may be hurting. I want to strive to be the Hands of Feet of Jesus each day.There are so many people that may never step foot into a church, they may never know the love of Jesus unless than can see Him through me and through you.

This year also provided us with our first beautiful new granddaughter, Grace Natalie Watts. She also brings new purpose to my life because I so want her to know Jesus like I do, like a best friend that she can't live without. I want to set a good example for her to live her life by. I want to share His love with her as much as I can. I truly believe that her birth is a gift from God, and my responsibility as her grandmother is something I don't take lightly. I love you darling Grace, and I will always pray for and protect you.

So, will you join me in sharing God's love as we move forward into another New Year?  Can you make your New Years Resolutions with God in mind? Can you help others... your family, your extended family, your friends, and your co-workers to see Jesus through your actions, words, thoughts,and through your very life?

Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples of all the nations. Matthew 28:18-20 gives us the Great Commission... "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Happy New Year to every single one of you. May God bless you with abundant health, blessings, joy and His peace that surpasses all human understanding in this New Year! 

My bible verse for today is above in red.

My prayer for today:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for another year. Thank you for being with me during this past year in everything I went through health wise and all the challenges I faced. Thank you for my wonderful, caring and thoughtful husband. He is such a gift Lord, and I ask that you gird him up and give him the strength he needs everyday. Thank you for our sons and our daughter in law Jessi. Be with them in this New Year and give them your peace as they go about their lives. Thank you for the birth of our beautiful granddaughter. Please keep her safe in your arms for all the days of her life. 

Jesus, please help me to set an example for all those of love, Help me to be a good Christian wife, mother and friend. Help me to be a good and faithful servant in everything I do. Help me to reach out to everyone in your name, in every situation, at all times. Help me to bring Glory to you always Lord.

Amen and Amen