2 Cor. 5:17–Old Has Passed; New Has Come

2 Corinthians 5:17–"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

With the New Year here, we fill our lives with resolutions and plans.  Not the least of these is the very average resolution to be 'better' this year than last, whatever 'better' means is based on any number of conditions: eating less, working out more, working less, spending more time with family, etc.  It would seem that the point of all these resolutions is based on the basic premise that who we are this year will in some way(s) be a distinct improvement on who we were.  But where all resolutions fail Christ succeeds.

You see, the issue is not that we would change our behavior but that we would have a transformation of character altogether.  Without a complete of heart, mind, and soul, we would have no ability whatsoever to truly adjust our behavior at all.  It is this that Jesus offers.  More accurately, this sort of full-person transformation is something that only Jesus offers.

As we begin 2014, our prayer should be a full-person Jesus-led transformation and nothing less!

Proverbs 16:9–Plans Established by God

Proverbs 16:9–"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

2014 is upon us, a new year has arrived full of potential and promise.  My prayer for you this year is that you would see God's awesome blessings in your life and that you would see Him establish your heart's desire this year.  That is why this verse seems so appropriate today, New Year's Day.  Even the best laid plans require the Lord's input for success.  Because of this, I don't think that we can overemphasize the necessity for prayer as we consider and develop our goals for 2014.  For only through God will we be blessed!