New Year Wanted

New Year Wanted

January 9, 2017

Proverbs 16:1  "The intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord."

As this year is off to a new start, it is easy to set goals, plan ahead, and desire new things.  Its easy to declare what you want in life, what you want this year, out of it all.  It is a good thing if this is reference to bad habits or sin. No one can argue the Lord wouldn't want you to rid your life of everything sinful.  But what about the other things you'd like to change?  Is it OK to desire something, anything you want, especially if it isn't sinful?  Are you allowed to ask anything of yourself, ask anything of God, and boldly step forward with it all?  Can you pray for anything, just like that?  Can you work toward and for your own personal fulfillment? Are you allowed to be bold in your prayer requests?  After all, doesn't boldness impress the Lord, especially with regard to bold prayers?

As I scroll through Scripture, I cannot find a single verse suggesting that bold prayers impress the Lord.  There isn't a single verse suggesting you can decide or even get to decide what new things you'd like to have in your life this year. In fact, your life, as it turns out is not your own.  You were bought with a price and your life belongs to the Lord.  If you think your life belongs to yourself, then He is not Lord of your life.  If you think He is Lord of your life but don't allow Him a say in what you do, where you go, how you live your life, then you actually might be missing out on the greatest blessings possible.  Blessings aren't what you should be looking for, working for, or praying toward.  The Lord's will for your life is the only thing you are allowed to pray for, hope for, to strive for boldly.  If you accomplish this, then you have the blessings you were originally after in the first place.

The Bible says that man makes plans but the results of those plans are the Lord's determination.  You can determine all the new things you want or hope or pray for this year, but it doesn't mean it will come to fruition.  Making a bold determination of moving forward with what you want doesn't impress Him.  Making a bold determination to follow His footsteps for your life, that impresses the Lord.  Making a bold determination to pray for the Lord to change you into the man or woman He wants you to become, that impresses the Lord.  Making a bold determination to follow His plan or will for your life, that impresses the Lord.  Do you want new things for your life this year?  Try doing what He wants of you. Do you want blessings for your life this year?  Try doing what He wants of you.  Do you want answers to prayers this year?  Try doing what He wants of you.

Christian, the Lord's will for your life is the Lord's will for your life.  It is different and unique for each and every one of us, and it is known and planned by Him.  He has that plan for you to follow, a path.  That path leads to all the fulfillment you could possibly desire this year, all the new and goods things you think you want.  Stop desiring something new just for the sake of something new.  Stop desiring for something different, thinking you know what will make you happy and satisfied this year.  Start desiring for His will, His plan for your life. You want a bold new beginning, try the bold new beginning of following His will wholeheartedly. Try the bold new beginning for the Lord's plan for your life this year.  It will be amazing.

Don't take my word for it; look it up:  Rom 11:29, Rom 12:2, Eph 5:7, James 4:2-3