Skip to main content

Preparing for a New Year (Part One)


"Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house." (Proverbs 24:27)

A new year brings along with it a fresh sense of purpose and hope.  This time of year has become one of my favorites because it is a time of reflection, renewal and readjustment. The thought of a new year prompts each one of us to consider new goals.  None of us want to be stagnant or backslide. It is safe to say that we each aspire to grow more and to do more for our Lord.

Christians have been given the greatest reason for living in the world.  Yet, we so often live as the most directionless people.  So many live without any contemplation about the direction God wants them to go in life or how He intends to help them get there.

As we enter into this new year, God has some insight in this verse as to how we can properly prepare ourselves to follow His direction in the new year.

Over the next three posts, let's consider three ways we may prepare for the new year.

Prepare with a Purpose.

First, the Bible tells us to "Prepare thy work without" (v.27a)  Before we set forth to perform the work God has for us in the new year, we must contemplate the purpose behind why we are doing what we are doing.

Notice how Scripture tells us to take advantage of the power of purpose.

1. It is something you must plan to do.

The first word of our text simply tells us to "prepare."  It is not something that will just happen.  You must intentionally make time to do it.  Set time to pray and seek God's mission for your life.  Write out how you can begin to accomplish that mission in the new year.  Let Him change and align your direction to His.

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:6)

2. It is something you must personally do.

Notice what we are told to plan for is "thy work."  God has something that He has created you specifically to do for Him.  We too often live so consumed with what we are doing, that we never actually factor in what God has in mind for us to do.  (See James 4:13-15.)

Prepare with your personal mission for God in mind -- His work for you.

3. It is something you must do privately.

An important word of instruction is given when we are told to do all of these things "without."  Remember, this is a private matter.  Determining the personal mission God has for your life is something that you must spend time along with God to figure out.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." (Psalm 91:1)

Take some time to think about the day of your funeral. (I know it is a little uncomfortable, but humor me.) Many things that you allow to consume your time today won't matter much then.  The things that do matter are the things you'll wish you had done more of.

Preparing the purpose of your life today will enable you to get to the end of your life having accomplished the things that matter most in life.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How To Respond to the Olympic Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremonies for the 2024 Summer Olympics recently took place in Paris. What was put on display at this event in open view for all the world to see was nothing short of wicked and antichrist. Amidst many subtle atrocities, the most blatant of them all was a evil replication of Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting of the Last Supper portrayed by cross-dressing men, vile women and even little children on live television. Though I didn't see any of this live, I was most certainly appalled by it all after I discovered what had taken place. On one hand, it should really come as no surprise watching this lost world act out in such a way. Yet, these particular acts display an open attack against the truth of God's Word and the tenets of Christianity. This was nothing short of a parade to celebrate a worldwide defiance of the One True God. When I first witnessed all this, though it grieved my heart, I determined to keep my thoughts to myself. Then I read Jeremiah chapter t
Post a Comment
Read more

Biblical Voter Guide

One of the great privileges with which God has blessed us in American society is the freedom to vote . This is a God-given right that God expects us to steward for His glory. In Romans 13:7 the Bible says, “ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom .” Believers have the unique opportunity in America to vote for candidates and policies that most align with Scripture and can most perpetuate the principles that can bring God’s blessing on a nation. As the Scripture tells us, “ Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD .” (Psalm 33:12a) Beyond the biblical mandate, there is a civic mandate for the citizens of this country to vote. Our government was formed to function of the people, by the people and for the people. Men and women have died to secure this freedom for us. Therefore, it behooves us to exercise our right to vote, however much we may disagree with candidates or issues. As you prepare to vote this November, there are several res
Post a Comment
Read more

Bare Minimum Christianity

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." (Luke 17:10) It is so frustrating to be on the job with someone who has the mindset of doing the bare minimum. They have no vision to make things better, no motivation to do things with excellence and no desire to do anything above what is required. Most employers aren't looking for these type of workers. A person who only does what they "have to do" deserves no special recognition or reward. They did their job, nothing more and nothing less. As servants of God's kingdom, we can sometimes be guilty of falling prey to this same mindset. You can get by with doing the bare minimum spiritually — read your Bible, pray occasionally, go to church at least once a week, serve in a ministry when you are able, give a little and invite someone to church here and there. (Honestly, it is a sad inditement on mode
Post a Comment
Read more