Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2014 - A Year To Pursue, Change, and Impact

Most of the fireworks are over (except for our neighbors who bought out the local stand). Most of the reflecting on 2013 is finished. Most of the celebrating is done...except for a few bowl games. 2014 is here!

What lies ahead is a year filled with opportunities to pursue, change, and impact. I love this time of the year...the first of the new year. It is like the dawning of a new day. Jeremiah says, "The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." - Jeremiah 3:22-23. If each new day brings new waves of God's lovingkindnesses and His compassions, how much more will a brand new year bring! It seems to be easier at this time of the year for folks to try new things and make new commitments. Please read on.

This fresh, new year of 2014 delivers to you and me opportunities to pursue. Pursue what? For starters (and with highest of priority) God. We all need to go deeper in our relationship with Him. The thing is, He stands ready to partner with you in your commitment to go deeper. Come on now...He doesn't have all of you...or me yet. He's done His part. He is God, and He made it possible through His Son Jesus to pursue Him and the dreams He has laid upon your heart. In fact, the greatest way to change yourself is to pursue Jesus first...above all! The greatest resolution we could ever make, and keep, is to pursue Jesus more than we have been. There's no better time than right now...at the beginning of a brand new year to go deeper.

2014 brings many opportunities for you and me to change. Change what? How about ourselves. What things in your life do you KNOW you need to tweak, adjust, or just outright change? Think about it. Make the commitment to do it now! What situations can you change by perhaps changing yourself? I'm sure you know of at least 120...or so! Go for it. If you can change yourself, you can change circumstances. And remember...the only way to change yourself is to pursue Jesus more intensely and surrender everything to Him.

2014 brings with it loads of opportunities to impact. Impact who? Those you live and work around. As a matter of fact, I am convinced that one who commits to a deeper pursuit of God, and who is willing to change...will make an impact on those around him. In addition, God will open new doors of opportunity for you to impact others outside your normal realm as you pursue, change, and impact those within your realm. God uses those who are committed to serving Him in ways unimaginable!

I'm not talking about a few new year's resolutions. I talking about the stuff that when God is involved makes a difference now and eternally! Don't just give up something. Don't just start doing something. Make a commitment to Jesus. He is the ruler of the universe. Pursue Him with all your heart, mind, and strength. Change as He works in you. And make an eternal impact on lives and situations. Wow! Decide now to pursue, change, and impact. Watch the year 2014 become an exciting adventure!

The Pursuit of God
By A.W. Tozer / Wingspread Publishers

In the muddle of day-to-day life, have you somehow forgotten that Christianity is a living, vibrant relationship with a personal God? In this classic bestseller and recipient of both the ECPA Gold and Platinum Book Awards, The Pursuit of God reminds and challenges you to renew your relationship with your loving God. In each of the 10 chapters, Tozer explains one aspect of hungering for God and ends with a prayer.