Friday, January 1, 2010

31 questions for the new year

31 Questions for the New Year
Dr. Ray Pritchard

The first day of a new year is a good time to stop, reflect, refocus and consider where we are going. The question for today is not, "Where are you going?" but rather, "Where will you be when you get there?" This morning all of us are taking the first steps on a 365-day journey. Where will you be when you arrive at December 31? What will you do with the gift of a new beginning that God has given you? In order to help us think about this in a practical way, Don Whitney has put together 31 questions. There are 10 basic questions and then 21 more--one for each day of the month.

If you are married, I urge you to discuss these questions with your spouse. If you are in a small group, take your first session this year to go over these questions. Thinking through these questions together will help make 2010 truly life-changing for you.

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

In addition to these ten questions, here are twenty-one more to help you "Consider your ways." Think on the entire list at one sitting, or answer one question each day for a month.

11. What's the most important decision you need to make this year?

12. What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what's one way you could simplify in that area?

13. What's the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?

14. What habit would you most like to establish this year?

15. Who do you most want to encourage this year?

16. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?

17. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?

18. What's one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year?

19. What's one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?

20. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year?

21. What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?

22. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?

23. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?

24. What's the most important trip you want to take this year?

25. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?

26. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?

27. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year?

28. What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?

29. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?

30. What's the most important new item you want to buy this year?

31. In what area of your life do you most need change, and what will you do about it this year?

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

START OVER.......

START OVER

When you've trusted God and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way ...
Start over.

When you've made your plans and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why ...
Start over.

When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And you're all alone and it's up to you ...
Start over.

When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren come along ...
Start over.

When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still ...
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill ...
Start over.

When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it ...
Start over.

When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you ...
Start over.

Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "God's Will Done"
Don't just sit there ..............

START OVER

by Woodrow Kroll of "Back to the Bible"

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

the Christmas Ten Commandments....

THE CHRISTMAS TEN COMMANDMENTS


1. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy
Christmas list


2. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts
that thy soul is forgotten.


3. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of
its spiritual reality.


4. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with
complaints and demands.


5. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a
hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.


6. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least
expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.


7. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will
go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.


8. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true
meaning of the season.


9. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a
little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.


10. Thou shall not forget to share your joy, peace and faith with those
around you.


-- Author Unknown