Happy New Year

Well we made it through 2022! Anyone else have some ups and downs through the year? Me too. The New Year is always a time for fresh starts. No, we don't need to wait for a specific day to make changes or set new goals or habits but, there is something about it. I know there can be two sides to setting New Years goals and habits. Some absolutely LOVE setting goals and others not so much. I have been on both sides. So, I can understand either way. Honestly, I think it's all in how you look at it. This year I'm looking at it as setting some specific goals but creating habits to reach those goals so that (hopefully) it'll be life long changes.

Here are some of my goals and habits I hope to create and reach!

I honestly was worried about setting goals and habits this year. I truly want to bring God glory in all that I do. So, I searched the Word and of course came to 1 Corinthians 10:31.

"So whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."

I looked up the word, glory. As a noun it has two meanings; high renown or honor won & magnificence or great beauty. High renown...God is the King of Kings! There is no higher renown than that in my opinion. Honor won. God conquered the battle of sin before it even began! He sent His only Son (Himself) to die and to be the ultimate sacrifice for sin and for there to be forgiveness to all who choose to follow Him. Talk about winning honor and "glory". Glory, as a noun, can also mean magnificence or great beauty. The magnificence of God is so great that we cannot look upon His face. Glory belongs to God!

Now as a verb glory means, take great pride or pleasure in. "Do everything for the great pride and pleasure of God." Everything we do, we should do to bring God pleasure and/or pride. Another thought I had while looking at this scripture is the fact that God has pride and pleasure in us. He delights in us! We bring Him joy! When we follow Him, when we pray, when we trust in Him, when we serve others, when we make it through mountains and valleys, He takes pride and pleasure in us. I visualize things and I picture God saying to His angels, "She/He just went through trials but never lost faith in me! Look at how she/he grew! She/He is mine!" Replace the she or he with your name. We are to bring God pride and pleasure but remember He takes great pride and pleasure when you're doing what He's created you to do!

I also looked at the scripture, John 10:10.

"A thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance."

From the moment we accept God into our hearts and live our lives for Him, we have eternal life. We will have an everlasting life with Him. Also, He didn't just say I came to give them life. He says, "and have it in abundance"! He wants us to live joyful lives full of happiness, adventure, learning, love, care, all the goodness that reflects Him. He doesn't just want us to live. He wants us to thrive and enjoy the life He has given us! Sometimes life doesn't look that way and there will be valleys and very rough trials but He will always be there for us, for eternity.

So, I think if there are things you feel like you can change to live your life to the fullest for the glory of God, go for it! Set the goals, establish the habits! Just remember in all that you do bring Him glory and if things don't go as you want them to, His plans are much greater! Bring all things to Him. He wants to talk with you. He loves you and He takes great pleasure and pride in who you are.

I pray that this year holds many blessings and wonderful memories for all of us. I also pray that this year we all become closer to God than we ever have been!